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Isaiah 59:9-15
New International Version
Isaiah 59:9-15
New International Version
9 So justice is far from us,
and righteousness does not reach us.
We look for light, but all is darkness;(A)
for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.
10 Like the blind(B) we grope along the wall,
feeling our way like people without eyes.
At midday we stumble(C) as if it were twilight;
among the strong, we are like the dead.(D)
11 We all growl like bears;
we moan mournfully like doves.(E)
We look for justice, but find none;
for deliverance, but it is far away.
12 For our offenses(F) are many in your sight,
and our sins testify(G) against us.
Our offenses are ever with us,
and we acknowledge our iniquities:(H)
13 rebellion(I) and treachery against the Lord,
turning our backs(J) on our God,
inciting revolt and oppression,(K)
uttering lies(L) our hearts have conceived.
14 So justice(M) is driven back,
and righteousness(N) stands at a distance;
truth(O) has stumbled in the streets,
honesty cannot enter.
15 Truth(P) is nowhere to be found,
and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
The Lord looked and was displeased
that there was no justice.(Q)
Isaiah 59:9-15
International Standard Version
Isaiah 59:9-15
International Standard Version
A Commitment to Wait on God
9 “So justice is far from us,
and righteousness does not reach us.
We wait for light, but look—there is darkness;
we wait for brightness, but we walk in deep darkness.[a]
10 Let’s grope[b] along the wall like the blind;
let us grope like those who have no eyes.
We stumble at midday as if it were twilight,
in desolate places[c] like dead people.
11 We all growl like bears;
we[d] sigh mournfully like doves.
We look for justice, but there is none,
and[e] for deliverance, but it’s far from us.
12 “For our transgressions before you are many,
and our sins testify[f] against us;
for our transgressions are with us,
and as for our iniquities,
we acknowledge them:
13 they’ve rebelled[g] in[h] treachery against the Lord,
and are turning away from following our God;
and they’ve spoken[i] oppression and revolt,
and are conceiving[j] lying words from the heart.
14 I’ll drive back justice,[k]
and righteousness stands at a distance;
for truth has fallen in the public square,
and honesty cannot enter.
15 Truth is missing,
and whoever turns away from evil becomes a prey.”
God Brings His Own Salvation
“Then the Lord looked, and it displeased him
that there was no justice.
Footnotes
- Isaiah 59:9 So 1QIsaa LXX; MT reads darknesses
- Isaiah 59:10 So 1QIsaa; MT reads We grope LXX reads They grope
- Isaiah 59:10 Or among vigorous people
- Isaiah 59:11 So 1QIsaa; MT reads and we
- Isaiah 59:11 So 1QIsaa; Not in MT LXX
- Isaiah 59:12 1QIsaa cf. LXX; MT reads sin testifies
- Isaiah 59:13 So 1QIsaa; MT reads rebellion LXX reads we have sinned
- Isaiah 59:13 Lit. and
- Isaiah 59:13 So 1QIsaa; MT reads speaking LXX reads we have spoken
- Isaiah 59:13 So 1QIsaa; MT reads conceiving and uttering; LXX reads we have conceived and thought about
- Isaiah 59:14 So 1QIsaa; MT reads Justice is driven back LXX reads We withdrew justice
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
International Standard Version (ISV) 
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