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Isaiah 52:13-53:12
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Suffering and Triumph of the Servant of the Lord[a]
13 See, my servant shall prosper,
he shall be raised high and greatly exalted.
14 Even as many were amazed at him—
so marred were his features,
beyond that of mortals
his appearance, beyond that of human beings—(A)
15 So shall he startle many nations,
kings shall stand speechless;
For those who have not been told shall see,
those who have not heard shall ponder it.(B)
Chapter 53
1 Who would believe what we have heard?[b]
To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?(C)
2 He grew up like a sapling before him,(D)
like a shoot from the parched earth;
He had no majestic bearing to catch our eye,
no beauty to draw us to him.
3 He was spurned and avoided by men,
a man of suffering, knowing pain,
Like one from whom you turn your face,
spurned, and we held him in no esteem.(E)
4 Yet it was our pain that he bore,
our sufferings he endured.
We thought of him as stricken,
struck down by God[c] and afflicted,(F)
5 But he was pierced for our sins,
crushed for our iniquity.
He bore the punishment that makes us whole,
by his wounds we were healed.(G)
6 We had all gone astray like sheep,
all following our own way;
But the Lord laid upon him[d]
the guilt of us all.(H)
7 Though harshly treated, he submitted
and did not open his mouth;
Like a lamb led to slaughter
or a sheep silent before shearers,
he did not open his mouth.(I)
8 Seized and condemned, he was taken away.
Who would have thought any more of his destiny?
For he was cut off from the land of the living,
struck for the sins of his people.
9 He was given a grave among the wicked,
a burial place with evildoers,
Though he had done no wrong,
nor was deceit found in his mouth.(J)
10 But it was the Lord’s will to crush him with pain.
By making his life as a reparation offering,[e]
he shall see his offspring, shall lengthen his days,
and the Lord’s will shall be accomplished through him.
11 Because of his anguish he shall see the light;
because of his knowledge he shall be content;
My servant, the just one, shall justify the many,
their iniquity he shall bear.
12 Therefore I will give him his portion among the many,
and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty,
Because he surrendered himself to death,
was counted among the transgressors,
Bore the sins of many,
and interceded for the transgressors.(K)
Footnotes
- 52:13–53:12 The last of the “servant of the Lord” oracles (see note on 42:1–4). Taken together, these oracles depict a figure of one called by God for a vocation to Israel and the nations (42:4; 49:5–6); the servant’s exaltation both opens and closes the passage (52:13; 53:12). The servant responded in fidelity but has suffered opposition (50:4–6). In this fourth oracle the servant is characterized as “a man of suffering” (53:3) and appears to be unjustly put to death (53:8–9). Those who have witnessed his career somehow recognize that he is innocent, has undergone suffering for their sins (53:4–6), and his death is referred to as a reparation offering (see note on 53:10–11). The servant is described in ways that identify him with Israel (which is frequently referred to as “servant” in the context of Second Isaiah—e.g., 41:8, 9; 44:2, 21; 43:4) and is designated as “Israel” in 49:3; yet Israel outside the “servant of the Lord” oracles is not presented as sinless, but rather in exile because of sin (40:2; 42:21–25) and even as servant as deaf and blind (42:18–19). The servant is thus both identified with Israel and distinguished from it. As with the previous servant poems, this chapter helped the followers of Jesus to interpret his suffering, death, and resurrection; see especially the passion narratives.
- 53:1–10 What we have heard: this fourth servant oracle is introduced by words of the Lord (52:13–15) but is now continued by speakers who are not identified, perhaps those referred to in 52:15, perhaps Israel (cf. “struck for the sins of his people”—v. 8). The Lord is again the speaker in vv. 11–13.
- 53:4 Struck down by God: the Bible often sees suffering as a punishment for sin (e.g., Ps 6:2; 32:1–5), yet sin sometimes appears to go unpunished and the innocent often suffer (cf. Ps 73; the Book of Job). In the case of the servant, the onlookers initially judge him guilty because of his suffering but, in some way not explained, they come to understand that his sufferings are for the sins of others. One notes the element of surprise, for such vicarious suffering, in the form described here, is without parallel in the Old Testament.
- 53:6 The Lord laid upon him: the servant’s suffering is no accidental or casual matter, but part of God’s plan; see also v. 10. The bystanders’ speculation of v. 4 is verified, but not in the sense intended by them.
- 53:10–11 Reparation offering: the Hebrew term ’asham is used of a particular kind of sacrifice, one that is intended as compensation for that which is due because of guilt. See Lv 5:14–26 and note. Justify: the verb means “to be acquitted,” “declared innocent,” but since the servant bears “their iniquity,” an effective rather than simply legal action is suggested.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Good News Translation
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Good News Translation
The Suffering Servant
13 The Lord says,
“My servant will succeed in his task;
he will be highly honored.[a]
14 Many people were shocked when they saw him;
he was so disfigured that he hardly looked human.
15 (A)But now many nations will marvel at him,
and kings will be speechless with amazement.
They will see and understand
something they had never known.”
53 (B)The people reply,
“Who would have believed what we now report?
Who could have seen the Lord's hand in this?
2 It was the will of the Lord that his servant
grow like a plant taking root in dry ground.
He had no dignity or beauty
to make us take notice of him.
There was nothing attractive about him,
nothing that would draw us to him.
3 We despised him and rejected him;
he endured suffering and pain.
No one would even look at him—
we ignored him as if he were nothing.
4 (C)“But he endured the suffering that should have been ours,
the pain that we should have borne.
All the while we thought that his suffering
was punishment sent by God.
5 (D)But because of our sins he was wounded,
beaten because of the evil we did.
We are healed by the punishment he suffered,
made whole by the blows he received.
6 (E)All of us were like sheep that were lost,
each of us going his own way.
But the Lord made the punishment fall on him,
the punishment all of us deserved.
7 (F)“He was treated harshly, but endured it humbly;
he never said a word.
Like a lamb about to be slaughtered,
like a sheep about to be sheared,
he never said a word.
8 He was arrested and sentenced and led off to die,
and no one cared about his fate.
He was put to death for the sins of our people.
9 (G)He was placed in a grave with those who are evil,
he was buried with the rich,
even though he had never committed a crime
or ever told a lie.”
10 The Lord says,
“It was my will that he should suffer;
his death was a sacrifice to bring forgiveness.
And so he will see his descendants;
he will live a long life,
and through him my purpose will succeed.
11 After a life of suffering, he will again have joy;
he will know that he did not suffer in vain.
My devoted servant, with whom I am pleased,
will bear the punishment of many
and for his sake I will forgive them.
12 (H)And so I will give him a place of honor,
a place among the great and powerful.
He willingly gave his life
and shared the fate of evil men.
He took the place of many sinners
and prayed that they might be forgiven.”[b]
Footnotes
- Isaiah 52:13 he will be highly honored; or he will be restored to greatness and honor.
- Isaiah 53:12 prayed that they might be forgiven; or suffered the punishment they deserved.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
The Suffering Servant
13 See, my servant shall prosper;
he shall be exalted and lifted up,
and shall be very high.
14 Just as there were many who were astonished at him[a]
—so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance,
and his form beyond that of mortals—
15 so he shall startle[b] many nations;
kings shall shut their mouths because of him;
for that which had not been told them they shall see,
and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate.
53 Who has believed what we have heard?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by others;
a man of suffering[c] and acquainted with infirmity;
and as one from whom others hide their faces[d]
he was despised, and we held him of no account.
4 Surely he has borne our infirmities
and carried our diseases;
yet we accounted him stricken,
struck down by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions,
crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole,
and by his bruises we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have all turned to our own way,
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By a perversion of justice he was taken away.
Who could have imagined his future?
For he was cut off from the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people.
9 They made his grave with the wicked
and his tomb[e] with the rich,[f]
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain.[g]
When you make his life an offering for sin,[h]
he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days;
through him the will of the Lord shall prosper.
11 Out of his anguish he shall see light;[i]
he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge.
The righteous one,[j] my servant, shall make many righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong;
because he poured out himself to death,
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Footnotes
- Isaiah 52:14 Syr Tg: Heb you
- Isaiah 52:15 Meaning of Heb uncertain
- Isaiah 53:3 Or a man of sorrows
- Isaiah 53:3 Or as one who hides his face from us
- Isaiah 53:9 Q Ms: MT and in his death
- Isaiah 53:9 Cn: Heb with a rich person
- Isaiah 53:10 Or by disease; meaning of Heb uncertain
- Isaiah 53:10 Meaning of Heb uncertain
- Isaiah 53:11 Q Mss: MT lacks light
- Isaiah 53:11 Or and he shall find satisfaction. Through his knowledge, the righteous one
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
New American Standard Bible
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
New American Standard Bible
The Exalted Servant
13 Behold, My (A)Servant will prosper,
He will be high and lifted up and [a]greatly (B)exalted.
14 Just as many were appalled at you, My people,
So His (C)appearance was marred beyond that of a man,
And His form beyond the sons of mankind.
15 So [b]He will (D)sprinkle many nations,
Kings will (E)shut their mouths on account of Him;
For (F)what they had not been told, they will see,
And what they had not heard, they will understand.
The Suffering Servant
53 (G)Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For He grew up before Him like a (H)tender [c]shoot,
And like a root out of dry ground;
He has (I)no stately form or majesty
That we would look at Him,
Nor an appearance that we would take pleasure in Him.
3 He was (J)despised and abandoned by men,
A man of [d]great pain and (K)familiar with sickness;
And like one from whom people hide their faces,
He was (L)despised, and we had no (M)regard for Him.
4 However, it was our sicknesses that He Himself (N)bore,
And our pains that He carried;
Yet we ourselves assumed that He had been afflicted,
Struck down by (O)God, and humiliated.
5 But He was [e]pierced for (P)our offenses,
He was crushed for (Q)our wrongdoings;
The (R)punishment for our [f]well-being was laid upon Him,
And by (S)His wounds we are healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the Lord has caused the wrongdoing of us all
To [g]fall on Him.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
Yet He did not (T)open His mouth;
(U)Like a lamb that is led to slaughter,
And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,
So He did not open His mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away;
And as for His generation, who considered
That He was cut off from the land of the [h]living
(V)For the wrongdoing of my people, to whom the blow was due?
9 And His grave was assigned with wicked men,
Yet He was with a (W)rich man in His death,
(X)Because He had (Y)done no violence,
Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.
10 But the Lord desired
To (Z)crush Him, [i](AA)causing Him grief;
If He renders [j]Himself as a guilt (AB)offering,
He will see (AC)His [k]offspring,
He will prolong His days,
And the [l]good (AD)pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand.
11 As a result of the [m]anguish of His soul,
He will [n](AE)see it and be satisfied;
By His (AF)knowledge the Righteous One,
My Servant, will justify the many,
For He will (AG)bear their wrongdoings.
12 Therefore, I will allot Him a (AH)portion with the great,
And He will divide the plunder with the strong,
Because He poured out His [o](AI)life unto death,
And was (AJ)counted with wrongdoers;
Yet He Himself (AK)bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the wrongdoers.
Footnotes
- Isaiah 52:13 Or very high
- Isaiah 52:15 LXX many nations will wonder at Him
- Isaiah 53:2 Lit suckling
- Isaiah 53:3 Lit pains
- Isaiah 53:5 Or wounded
- Isaiah 53:5 Or peace
- Isaiah 53:6 Lit encounter Him
- Isaiah 53:8 Or life
- Isaiah 53:10 Lit He made Him sick
- Isaiah 53:10 Lit His soul
- Isaiah 53:10 Lit seed
- Isaiah 53:10 Or will of
- Isaiah 53:11 Or trouble
- Isaiah 53:11 DSS see light; LXX also has light
- Isaiah 53:12 Lit soul
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
New International Version
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
New International Version
The Suffering and Glory of the Servant
13 See, my servant(A) will act wisely[a];
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.(B)
14 Just as there were many who were appalled(C) at him[b]—
his appearance was so disfigured(D) beyond that of any human being
and his form marred beyond human likeness(E)—
15 so he will sprinkle(F) many nations,[c]
and kings(G) will shut their mouths(H) because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.(I)
53 Who has believed our message(J)
and to whom has the arm(K) of the Lord been revealed?(L)
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,(M)
and like a root(N) out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance(O) that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering,(P) and familiar with pain.(Q)
Like one from whom people hide(R) their faces
he was despised,(S) and we held him in low esteem.
4 Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,(T)
yet we considered him punished by God,(U)
stricken by him, and afflicted.(V)
5 But he was pierced(W) for our transgressions,(X)
he was crushed(Y) for our iniquities;
the punishment(Z) that brought us peace(AA) was on him,
and by his wounds(AB) we are healed.(AC)
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,(AD)
each of us has turned to our own way;(AE)
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity(AF) of us all.
7 He was oppressed(AG) and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;(AH)
he was led like a lamb(AI) to the slaughter,(AJ)
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression[d] and judgment(AK) he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;(AL)
for the transgression(AM) of my people he was punished.[e]
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,(AN)
and with the rich(AO) in his death,
though he had done no violence,(AP)
nor was any deceit in his mouth.(AQ)
10 Yet it was the Lord’s will(AR) to crush(AS) him and cause him to suffer,(AT)
and though the Lord makes[f] his life an offering for sin,(AU)
he will see his offspring(AV) and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper(AW) in his hand.
11 After he has suffered,(AX)
he will see the light(AY) of life[g] and be satisfied[h];
by his knowledge[i] my righteous servant(AZ) will justify(BA) many,
and he will bear their iniquities.(BB)
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,[j](BC)
and he will divide the spoils(BD) with the strong,[k]
because he poured out his life unto death,(BE)
and was numbered with the transgressors.(BF)
For he bore(BG) the sin of many,(BH)
and made intercession(BI) for the transgressors.
Footnotes
- Isaiah 52:13 Or will prosper
- Isaiah 52:14 Hebrew you
- Isaiah 52:15 Or so will many nations be amazed at him (see also Septuagint)
- Isaiah 53:8 Or From arrest
- Isaiah 53:8 Or generation considered / that he was cut off from the land of the living, / that he was punished for the transgression of my people?
- Isaiah 53:10 Hebrew though you make
- Isaiah 53:11 Dead Sea Scrolls (see also Septuagint); Masoretic Text does not have the light of life.
- Isaiah 53:11 Or (with Masoretic Text) 11 He will see the fruit of his suffering / and will be satisfied
- Isaiah 53:11 Or by knowledge of him
- Isaiah 53:12 Or many
- Isaiah 53:12 Or numerous
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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Good News Translation (GNT) 
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New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
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