Isaiah 59
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Sin and Redemption
59 Indeed, the Lord’s hand is not too short to save,(A)
and His ear is not too deaf to hear.
2 But your iniquities(B) have built barriers
between you and your God,
and your sins have made Him hide His face from you(C)
so that He does not listen.(D)
3 For your hands are defiled with blood
and your fingers, with iniquity;
your lips have spoken lies,
and your tongues mutter injustice.
4 No one makes claims justly;
no one pleads honestly.
They trust in empty and worthless words;
they conceive trouble and give birth to iniquity.(E)
5 They hatch viper’s eggs
and weave spider’s webs.
Whoever eats their eggs will die;
crack one open, and a viper is hatched.
6 Their webs cannot become clothing,
and they cannot cover themselves with their works.
Their works are sinful works,
and violent acts are in their hands.
7 Their feet run after evil,(F)
and they rush to shed innocent blood.(G)
Their thoughts are sinful thoughts;(H)
ruin and wretchedness are in their paths.
8 They have not known the path of peace,(I)
and there is no justice in their ways.
They have made their roads crooked;
no one who walks on them will know peace.(J)
9 Therefore justice is far from us,
and righteousness does not reach us.
We hope for light, but there is darkness;
for brightness, but we live in the night.
10 We grope along a wall like the blind;
we grope like those without eyes.(K)
We stumble at noon as though it were twilight;
we are like the dead among those who are healthy.
11 We all growl like bears
and moan like doves.(L)
We hope for justice, but there is none;
for salvation, but it is far from us.
12 For our transgressions have multiplied before You,(M)
and our sins testify against us.(N)
For our transgressions are with us,
and we know our iniquities:(O)
13 transgression and deception against the Lord,
turning away from following our God,
speaking oppression and revolt,
conceiving and uttering lying words from the heart.
14 Justice is turned back,
and righteousness stands far off.
For truth has stumbled in the public square,
and honesty cannot enter.
15 Truth is missing,
and whoever turns from evil is plundered.
The Lord saw that there was no justice,
and He was offended.
16 He saw that there was no man—
He was amazed that there was no one interceding;(P)
so His own arm brought salvation,
and His own righteousness supported Him.
17 He put on righteousness like a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on His head;(Q)
He put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
and He wrapped Himself in zeal as in a cloak.(R)
18 So He will repay according to their deeds:(S)
fury to His enemies,
retribution to His foes,
and He will repay the coastlands.
19 They will fear the name of Yahweh in the west
and His glory in the east;(T)
for He will come like a rushing stream(U)
driven by the wind of the Lord.
20 “The Redeemer(V) will come to Zion,
and to those in Jacob who turn from transgression.”(W)
This is the Lord’s declaration.
21 “As for Me, this is My covenant with them,”(X) says the Lord: “My Spirit who is on you, and My words that I have put in your mouth,(Y) will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouth of your children, or from the mouth of your children’s children, from now on and forever,” says the Lord.
Isaiah 59
1599 Geneva Bible
59 1 The wicked perish through their own iniquities. 12 The confession of sins. 16 God alone will preserve his Church though all men fail.
1 Behold, (A)the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save: neither is his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.
2 But (B)your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
3 For your hands are defiled with [a]blood, and your fingers with iniquity: your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue hath murmured iniquity.
4 No man calleth for justice: no man [b]contendeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak vain things: they conceive mischief, and [c]bring forth iniquity.
5 They hatch cockatrice [d]eggs, and weave the spider’s [e]web: he that eateth of their eggs, died, and that which is trode upon, breaketh out into a serpent.
6 Their webs shall be no garment, neither shall they cover themselves with their labors: for their works are works of iniquities, and the work of cruelty is in their hands.
7 Their feet turn to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are wicked thoughts: desolation and destruction is in their paths.
8 The way of peace they know not, and there is none equity in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein, shall not know peace.
9 Therefore is [f]judgment far from us, neither doth [g]justice come near unto us: we wait for light, but lo, it is darkness: for brightness, but we walk in darkness.
10 We grope for the wall like the [h]blind, and we grope as one without eyes: we stumble at the noon day as in the twilight: we are in solitary places, as dead men.
11 We roar all like [i]bears, and mourn like doves: we look for equity, but there is none: for health, but it is far from us.
12 For our trespasses are many before thee, and our [j]sins testify against us: for our trespasses are with us, and we know our iniquities
13 In trespassing and lying against the Lord, and we have departed away from our God, and have spoken of cruelty and rebellion, conceiving and uttering out of the heart [k]false matters.
14 Therefore [l]judgment is turned backward, and justice standeth far off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
15 Yea, truth faileth, and he that refraineth from evil, maketh himself [m]a prey: and when the Lord saw it, it displeased him, that there was no judgment.
16 And when he saw that there was no man, he wondered that none would offer himself. [n]Therefore his arm did [o]save it, and his righteousness itself did sustain it.
17 For he put on righteousness, as an habergeon, and an [p]helmet of salvation upon his head, and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
18 As to make recompense, as to requite the fury of the adversaries with a recompense to his enemies: he will fully repair the [q]islands.
19 So shall they fear the Name of the Lord from the West, and his glory from the rising of the Sun; for the enemy shall [r]come like a flood; but the Spirit of the Lord shall chase him away.
20 And the Redeemer shall come unto Zion, and unto [s]them that turn from iniquity in Jacob, saith the Lord.
21 And I will make this my Covenant with them, saith the Lord, My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words, which I have put in thy mouth, [t]shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of the seed of thy seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth even forever.
Footnotes
- Isaiah 59:3 Read Isa. 1:15.
- Isaiah 59:4 All men wink at the injuries and oppressions, and none go about to remedy them.
- Isaiah 59:4 According to their wicked devices, they hurt their neighbors.
- Isaiah 59:5 Whatsoever cometh from them is poison, and bringeth death.
- Isaiah 59:5 They are profitable to no purpose.
- Isaiah 59:9 That is, God’s vengeance to punish our enemies.
- Isaiah 59:9 God’s protection to defend us.
- Isaiah 59:10 We are altogether destitute of counsel, and can find no end of our miseries.
- Isaiah 59:11 We express our sorrows by outward signs, some more, some less.
- Isaiah 59:12 This confession is general to the Church to obtain remission of sins, and the Prophets did not exempt themselves from the same.
- Isaiah 59:13 To wit, against our neighbors.
- Isaiah 59:14 There is neither justice nor uprightness among men.
- Isaiah 59:15 The wicked will destroy him.
- Isaiah 59:16 Meaning, to do justice, and to remedy the things that were so far out of order.
- Isaiah 59:16 That is, his Church or his arm did help itself, and did not seek aid of any other.
- Isaiah 59:17 Signifying, that God hath all means at hand to deliver his Church and to punish their enemies.
- Isaiah 59:18 To wit, your enemies, which dwell in divers places, and beyond the sea.
- Isaiah 59:19 He showeth that there shall be great affliction in the Church, but God will ever deliver his.
- Isaiah 59:20 Whereby he declareth that the true deliverance from sin and Satan belongeth to none, but to the children of God, whom he justifieth.
- Isaiah 59:21 Because the doctrine is made profitable by the virtue of the Spirit, he joineth the one with the other, and promiseth to give them both to his Church forever.
Isaiah 59
King James Version
59 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
5 They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
6 Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.
7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
9 Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.
10 We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.
11 We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.
12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;
13 In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.
19 So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.
21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.
Isaiah 59
New King James Version
Separated from God
59 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not (A)shortened,
That it cannot save;
Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
So that He will (B)not hear.
3 For (C)your hands are defiled with [a]blood,
And your fingers with iniquity;
Your lips have spoken lies,
Your tongue has muttered perversity.
4 No one calls for justice,
Nor does any plead for truth.
They trust in (D)empty words and speak lies;
(E)They conceive [b]evil and bring forth iniquity.
5 They hatch vipers’ eggs and weave the spider’s web;
He who eats of their eggs dies,
And from that which is crushed a viper breaks out.
6 (F)Their webs will not become garments,
Nor will they cover themselves with their works;
Their works are works of iniquity,
And the act of violence is in their hands.
7 (G)Their feet run to evil,
And they make haste to shed (H)innocent blood;
(I)Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity;
Wasting and (J)destruction are in their paths.
8 The way of (K)peace they have not known,
And there is no justice in their ways;
(L)They have made themselves crooked paths;
Whoever takes that way shall not know peace.
Sin Confessed
9 Therefore justice is far from us,
Nor does righteousness overtake us;
(M)We look for light, but there is darkness!
For brightness, but we walk in blackness!
10 (N)We grope for the wall like the blind,
And we grope as if we had no eyes;
We stumble at noonday as at twilight;
We are as dead men in desolate places.
11 We all growl like bears,
And (O)moan sadly like doves;
We look for justice, but there is none;
For salvation, but it is far from us.
12 For our (P)transgressions are multiplied before You,
And our sins testify against us;
For our transgressions are with us,
And as for our iniquities, we know them:
13 In transgressing and lying against the Lord,
And departing from our God,
Speaking oppression and revolt,
Conceiving and uttering (Q)from the heart words of falsehood.
14 Justice is turned back,
And righteousness stands afar off;
For truth is fallen in the street,
And equity cannot enter.
15 So truth fails,
And he who departs from evil makes himself a (R)prey.
The Redeemer of Zion
Then the Lord saw it, and [c]it displeased Him
That there was no justice.
16 (S)He saw that there was no man,
And (T)wondered that there was no intercessor;
(U)Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him;
And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.
17 (V)For He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,
And was clad with zeal as a cloak.
18 (W)According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay,
Fury to His adversaries,
Recompense to His enemies;
The coastlands He will fully repay.
19 (X)So shall they fear
The name of the Lord from the west,
And His glory from the rising of the sun;
When the enemy comes in (Y)like a flood,
The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
20 “The(Z) Redeemer will come to Zion,
And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,”
Says the Lord.
21 “As(AA) for Me,” says the Lord, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the Lord, “from this time and forevermore.”
Footnotes
- Isaiah 59:3 bloodshed
- Isaiah 59:4 trouble
- Isaiah 59:15 Lit. it was evil in His eyes
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
