Envoys from Babylon

39 (A)At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, (B)sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. And Hezekiah welcomed them gladly. And he showed them his treasure house, (C)the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his whole armory, all that was found in his storehouses. (D)There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them. Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?” Hezekiah said, “They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.” He said, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.”

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: (E)Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. (F)And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, (G)“There will be peace and security in my days.”

Comfort for God's People

40 (H)Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
(I)Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
    and cry to her
that (J)her warfare[a] is ended,
    that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord's hand
    double for all her sins.

(K)A voice cries:[b]
(L)“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
    (M)make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
(N)Every valley shall be lifted up,
    and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
    and the rough places a plain.
(O)And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
    and all flesh shall see it together,
    (P)for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

The Word of God Stands Forever

A voice says, “Cry!”
    And I said,[c] “What shall I cry?”
(Q)All flesh is grass,
    and all its beauty[d] is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades
    when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
    surely the people are grass.
(R)The grass withers, the flower fades,
    but the word of our God will stand forever.

The Greatness of God

Go on up to a high mountain,
    O Zion, (S)herald of good news;[e]
lift up your voice with strength,
    O Jerusalem, herald of good news;[f]
    lift it up, fear not;
say to the cities of Judah,
    “Behold your God!”
10 (T)Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
    and his arm rules for him;
(U)behold, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense before him.
11 (V)He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
    (W)he will gather the lambs in his arms;
(X)he will carry them in his bosom,
    and gently lead those that are with young.

12 (Y)Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
    and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure
    and weighed the mountains in scales
    and the hills in a balance?
13 (Z)Who has measured[g] the Spirit of the Lord,
    or what man shows him his counsel?
14 Whom did he consult,
    and who made him understand?
(AA)Who taught him the path of justice,
    and taught him knowledge,
    and showed him the way of understanding?
15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket,
    and are accounted (AB)as the dust on the scales;
    behold, he takes up (AC)the coastlands like fine dust.
16 Lebanon would not suffice for fuel,
    nor are (AD)its beasts enough for a burnt offering.
17 (AE)All the nations are as nothing before him,
    they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.

18 (AF)To whom then will you liken God,
    (AG)or what likeness compare with him?
19 (AH)An idol! A craftsman casts it,
    and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
    and casts for it silver chains.
20 (AI)He who is too impoverished for an offering
    chooses wood[h] that will not rot;
he seeks out a skillful craftsman
    to set up an idol that will not move.

21 (AJ)Do you not know? Do you not hear?
    Has it not been told you from the beginning?
    Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
    and its inhabitants are (AK)like grasshoppers;
(AL)who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
    and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
23 (AM)who brings princes to nothing,
    and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.

24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,
    scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,
when he blows on them, and they wither,
    (AN)and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

25 (AO)To whom then will you compare me,
    that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high and see:
    who created these?
(AP)He who brings out their host by number,
    calling them all by name;
by the greatness of his might
    and because he is strong in power,
    not one is missing.

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
    and speak, O Israel,
(AQ)“My way is hidden from the Lord,
    (AR)and my right is disregarded by my God”?
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is (AS)the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    (AT)his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but (AU)they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings (AV)like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.

Notas al pie

  1. Isaiah 40:2 Or hardship
  2. Isaiah 40:3 Or A voice of one crying
  3. Isaiah 40:6 Revocalization based on Dead Sea Scroll, Septuagint, Vulgate; Masoretic Text And someone says
  4. Isaiah 40:6 Or all its constancy
  5. Isaiah 40:9 Or O herald of good news to Zion
  6. Isaiah 40:9 Or O herald of good news to Jerusalem
  7. Isaiah 40:13 Or has directed
  8. Isaiah 40:20 Or He chooses valuable wood

Envoys From Babylon(A)

39 At that time Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon(B) sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of his illness and recovery. Hezekiah received the envoys(C) gladly and showed them what was in his storehouses—the silver, the gold,(D) the spices, the fine olive oil—his entire armory and everything found among his treasures.(E) There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.

Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked, “What did those men say, and where did they come from?”

“From a distant land,(F)” Hezekiah replied. “They came to me from Babylon.”

The prophet asked, “What did they see in your palace?”

“They saw everything in my palace,” Hezekiah said. “There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them.”

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word(G) of the Lord Almighty: The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon.(H) Nothing will be left, says the Lord. And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.(I)

“The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,(J)” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my lifetime.(K)

Comfort for God’s People

40 Comfort, comfort(L) my people,
    says your God.
Speak tenderly(M) to Jerusalem,
    and proclaim to her
that her hard service(N) has been completed,(O)
    that her sin has been paid for,(P)
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
    double(Q) for all her sins.

A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way(R) for the Lord[a];
make straight(S) in the desert
    a highway for our God.[b](T)
Every valley shall be raised up,(U)
    every mountain and hill(V) made low;
the rough ground shall become level,(W)
    the rugged places a plain.
And the glory(X) of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.(Y)
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”(Z)

A voice says, “Cry out.”
    And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All people are like grass,(AA)
    and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers(AB) and the flowers fall,
    because the breath(AC) of the Lord blows(AD) on them.
    Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers(AE) fall,
    but the word(AF) of our God endures(AG) forever.(AH)

You who bring good news(AI) to Zion,
    go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,[c](AJ)
    lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
    say to the towns of Judah,
    “Here is your God!”(AK)
10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes(AL) with power,(AM)
    and he rules(AN) with a mighty arm.(AO)
See, his reward(AP) is with him,
    and his recompense accompanies him.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:(AQ)
    He gathers the lambs in his arms(AR)
and carries them close to his heart;(AS)
    he gently leads(AT) those that have young.(AU)

12 Who has measured the waters(AV) in the hollow of his hand,(AW)
    or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?(AX)
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
    or weighed the mountains on the scales
    and the hills in a balance?(AY)
13 Who can fathom the Spirit[d](AZ) of the Lord,
    or instruct the Lord as his counselor?(BA)
14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,
    and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,(BB)
    or showed him the path of understanding?(BC)

15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
    they are regarded as dust on the scales;(BD)
    he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.(BE)
16 Lebanon(BF) is not sufficient for altar fires,
    nor its animals(BG) enough for burnt offerings.
17 Before him all the nations(BH) are as nothing;(BI)
    they are regarded by him as worthless
    and less than nothing.(BJ)

18 With whom, then, will you compare God?(BK)
    To what image(BL) will you liken him?
19 As for an idol,(BM) a metalworker casts it,
    and a goldsmith(BN) overlays it with gold(BO)
    and fashions silver chains for it.
20 A person too poor to present such an offering
    selects wood(BP) that will not rot;
they look for a skilled worker
    to set up an idol(BQ) that will not topple.(BR)

21 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?(BS)
Has it not been told(BT) you from the beginning?(BU)
    Have you not understood(BV) since the earth was founded?(BW)
22 He sits enthroned(BX) above the circle of the earth,
    and its people are like grasshoppers.(BY)
He stretches out the heavens(BZ) like a canopy,(CA)
    and spreads them out like a tent(CB) to live in.(CC)
23 He brings princes(CD) to naught
    and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.(CE)
24 No sooner are they planted,
    no sooner are they sown,
    no sooner do they take root(CF) in the ground,
than he blows(CG) on them and they wither,(CH)
    and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.(CI)

25 “To whom will you compare me?(CJ)
    Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.(CK)
26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:(CL)
    Who created(CM) all these?
He who brings out the starry host(CN) one by one
    and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,(CO)
    not one of them is missing.(CP)

27 Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God”?(CQ)
28 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?(CR)
The Lord is the everlasting(CS) God,
    the Creator(CT) of the ends of the earth.(CU)
He will not grow tired or weary,(CV)
    and his understanding no one can fathom.(CW)
29 He gives strength(CX) to the weary(CY)
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men(CZ) stumble and fall;(DA)
31 but those who hope(DB) in the Lord
    will renew their strength.(DC)
They will soar on wings like eagles;(DD)
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.(DE)

Notas al pie

  1. Isaiah 40:3 Or A voice of one calling in the wilderness: / “Prepare the way for the Lord
  2. Isaiah 40:3 Hebrew; Septuagint make straight the paths of our God
  3. Isaiah 40:9 Or Zion, bringer of good news, / go up on a high mountain. / Jerusalem, bringer of good news
  4. Isaiah 40:13 Or mind

Therefore, my brothers,[a] whom I love and (A)long for, (B)my joy and (C)crown, (D)stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to (E)agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion,[b] help these women, who have labored[c] side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, (F)whose names are in the book of life.

(G)Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness[d] be known to everyone. (H)The Lord is at hand; (I)do not be anxious about anything, (J)but in everything by prayer and supplication (K)with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And (L)the peace of God, (M)which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned[e] and (N)received and heard and seen (O)in me—practice these things, and (P)the God of peace will be with you.

God's Provision

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length (Q)you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be (R)content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and (S)hunger, abundance and (T)need. 13 I can do all things (U)through him who strengthens me.

14 Yet it was kind of you (V)to share[f] my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that (W)in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, (X)no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 (Y)Not that I seek the gift, but I seek (Z)the fruit that increases to your credit.[g] 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, (AA)having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, (AB)a fragrant offering, (AC)a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God (AD)will supply every need of yours (AE)according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To (AF)our God and Father be (AG)glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. (AH)The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 (AI)All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.

23 (AJ)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Notas al pie

  1. Philippians 4:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 8, 21
  2. Philippians 4:3 Or loyal Syzygus; Greek true yokefellow
  3. Philippians 4:3 Or strived (see 1:27)
  4. Philippians 4:5 Or gentleness
  5. Philippians 4:9 Or these things—9which things you have also learned
  6. Philippians 4:14 Or have fellowship in
  7. Philippians 4:17 Or I seek the profit that accrues to your account

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for,(A) my joy and crown, stand firm(B) in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind(C) in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers,(D) whose names are in the book of life.(E)

Final Exhortations

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!(F) Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.(G) Do not be anxious about anything,(H) but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.(I) And the peace of God,(J) which transcends all understanding,(K) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.(L) And the God of peace(M) will be with you.

Thanks for Their Gifts

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.(N) Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content(O) whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,(P) whether living in plenty or in want.(Q) 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.(R)

14 Yet it was good of you to share(S) in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days(T) of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia,(U) not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;(V) 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica,(W) you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.(X) 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.(Y) 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus(Z) the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant(AA) offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs(AB) according to the riches of his glory(AC) in Christ Jesus.

20 To our God and Father(AD) be glory for ever and ever. Amen.(AE)

Final Greetings

21 Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me(AF) send greetings. 22 All God’s people(AG) here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ(AH) be with your spirit.(AI) Amen.[a]

Notas al pie

  1. Philippians 4:23 Some manuscripts do not have Amen.