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)

The Helper of Israel

41 “Be silent(DF) before me, you islands!(DG)
    Let the nations renew their strength!(DH)
Let them come forward(DI) and speak;
    let us meet together(DJ) at the place of judgment.

“Who has stirred(DK) up one from the east,(DL)
    calling him in righteousness(DM) to his service[e]?(DN)
He hands nations over to him
    and subdues kings before him.
He turns them to dust(DO) with his sword,
    to windblown chaff(DP) with his bow.(DQ)
He pursues them and moves on unscathed,(DR)
    by a path his feet have not traveled before.
Who has done this and carried it through,
    calling(DS) forth the generations from the beginning?(DT)
I, the Lord—with the first of them
    and with the last(DU)—I am he.(DV)

The islands(DW) have seen it and fear;
    the ends of the earth(DX) tremble.
They approach and come forward;
    they help each other
    and say to their companions, “Be strong!(DY)
The metalworker(DZ) encourages the goldsmith,(EA)
    and the one who smooths with the hammer
    spurs on the one who strikes the anvil.
One says of the welding, “It is good.”
    The other nails down the idol so it will not topple.(EB)

“But you, Israel, my servant,(EC)
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,(ED)
    you descendants of Abraham(EE) my friend,(EF)
I took you from the ends of the earth,(EG)
    from its farthest corners I called(EH) you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;(EI)
    I have chosen(EJ) you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear,(EK) for I am with you;(EL)
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen(EM) you and help(EN) you;
    I will uphold you(EO) with my righteous right hand.(EP)

11 “All who rage(EQ) against you
    will surely be ashamed and disgraced;(ER)
those who oppose(ES) you
    will be as nothing and perish.(ET)
12 Though you search for your enemies,
    you will not find them.(EU)
Those who wage war against you
    will be as nothing(EV) at all.
13 For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand(EW)
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help(EX) you.
14 Do not be afraid,(EY) you worm(EZ) Jacob,
    little Israel, do not fear,
for I myself will help(FA) you,” declares the Lord,
    your Redeemer,(FB) the Holy One(FC) of Israel.
15 “See, I will make you into a threshing sledge,(FD)
    new and sharp, with many teeth.
You will thresh the mountains(FE) and crush them,
    and reduce the hills to chaff.(FF)
16 You will winnow(FG) them, the wind will pick them up,
    and a gale(FH) will blow them away.(FI)
But you will rejoice(FJ) in the Lord
    and glory(FK) in the Holy One(FL) of Israel.

Footnotes

  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
  5. Isaiah 41:2 Or east, / whom victory meets at every step

39 At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.

And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.

Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.

Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord of hosts:

Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord.

And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.

40 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

10 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

12 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

13 Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?

15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.

16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.

17 All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.

18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

19 The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.

20 He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.

21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?

22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

23 That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.

24 Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.

25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God?

28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

41 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.

Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.

He pursued them, and passed safely; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet.

Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he.

The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came.

They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.

So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.

But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.

10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.

13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.

16 Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the Lord, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.

The Babylonian Envoys(A)

39 At (B)that time [a]Merodach-Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. (C)And Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed them the house of his treasures—the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all his armory—all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.

Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?”

So Hezekiah said, “They came to me from a (D)far country, from Babylon.”

And he said, “What have they seen in your house?”

So Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.”

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: ‘Behold, the days are coming (E)when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord. ‘And they shall take away some of your (F)sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ ”

So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, (G)“The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “At least there will be peace and truth in my days.”

God’s People Are Comforted(H)

40 “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!”
Says your God.
“Speak [b]comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her,
That her warfare is ended,
That her iniquity is pardoned;
(I)For she has received from the Lord’s hand
Double for all her sins.”

(J)The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
(K)“Prepare the way of the Lord;
(L)Make straight [c]in the desert
A highway for our God.
Every valley shall be exalted
And every mountain and hill brought low;
(M)The crooked places shall be made [d]straight
And the rough places smooth;
The (N)glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

The voice said, “Cry out!”
And [e]he said, “What shall I cry?”

(O)“All flesh is grass,
And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
But (P)the word of our God stands forever.”

O Zion,
You who bring good tidings,
Get up into the high mountain;
O Jerusalem,
You who bring good tidings,
Lift up your voice with strength,
Lift it up, be not afraid;
Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”

10 Behold, the Lord God shall come [f]with a strong hand,
And (Q)His arm shall rule for Him;
Behold, (R)His reward is with Him,
And His [g]work before Him.
11 He will (S)feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young.

12 (T)Who has measured the [h]waters in the hollow of His hand,
Measured heaven with a [i]span
And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure?
Weighed the mountains in scales
And the hills in a balance?
13 (U)Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord,
Or as His counselor has taught Him?
14 With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him,
And (V)taught Him in the path of justice?
Who taught Him knowledge,
And showed Him the way of understanding?

15 Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket,
And are counted as the small dust on the scales;
Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.
16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn,
Nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt offering.
17 All nations before Him are as (W)nothing,
And (X)they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.

18 To whom then will you (Y)liken God?
Or what likeness will you compare to Him?
19 (Z)The workman molds an image,
The goldsmith overspreads it with gold,
And the silversmith casts silver chains.
20 Whoever is too impoverished for such [j]a contribution
Chooses a tree that will not rot;
He seeks for himself a skillful workman
(AA)To prepare a carved image that will not totter.

21 (AB)Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
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 like grasshoppers,
Who (AC)stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
And spreads them out like a (AD)tent to dwell in.
23 He [k]brings the (AE)princes to nothing;
He makes the judges of the earth useless.

24 Scarcely shall they be planted,
Scarcely shall they be sown,
Scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth,
When He will also blow on them,
And they will wither,
And the whirlwind will take them away like stubble.

25 “To(AF) whom then will you liken Me,
Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high,
And see who has created these things,
Who brings out their host by number;
(AG)He calls them all by name,
By the greatness of His might
And the strength of His power;
Not one is missing.

27 (AH)Why do you say, O Jacob,
And speak, O Israel:
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
And my just claim is passed over by my God”?
28 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
(AI)His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who (AJ)wait on the Lord
(AK)Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

Israel Assured of God’s Help

41 “Keep (AL)silence before Me, O coastlands,
And let the people renew their strength!
Let them come near, then let them speak;
Let us (AM)come near together for judgment.

“Who raised up one (AN)from the east?
Who in righteousness called him to His feet?
Who (AO)gave the nations before him,
And made him rule over kings?
Who gave them as the dust to his sword,
As driven stubble to his bow?
Who pursued them, and passed [l]safely
By the way that he had not gone with his feet?
(AP)Who has performed and done it,
Calling the generations from the beginning?
‘I, the Lord, am (AQ)the first;
And with the last I am (AR)He.’ ”

The coastlands saw it and feared,
The ends of the earth were afraid;
They drew near and came.
(AS)Everyone helped his neighbor,
And said to his brother,
[m]“Be of good courage!”
(AT)So the craftsman encouraged the (AU)goldsmith;[n]
He who smooths with the hammer inspired him who strikes the anvil,
Saying, [o]“It is ready for the soldering”;
Then he fastened it with pegs,
(AV)That it might not totter.

“But you, Israel, are My servant,
Jacob whom I have (AW)chosen,
The descendants of Abraham My (AX)friend.
You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called from its farthest regions,
And said to you,
‘You are My servant,
I have chosen you and have not cast you away:
10 (AY)Fear not, (AZ)for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

11 “Behold, all those who were incensed against you
Shall be (BA)ashamed and disgraced;
They shall be as nothing,
And those who strive with you shall perish.
12 You shall seek them and not find them—
[p]Those who contended with you.
Those who war against you
Shall be as nothing,
As a nonexistent thing.
13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

14 “Fear not, you (BB)worm Jacob,
You men of Israel!
I will help you,” says the Lord
And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
15 “Behold, (BC)I will make you into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth;
You shall thresh the mountains and beat them small,
And make the hills like chaff.
16 You shall (BD)winnow them, the wind shall carry them away,
And the whirlwind shall scatter them;
You shall rejoice in the Lord,
And (BE)glory in the Holy One of Israel.

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 39:1 Berodach-Baladan, 2 Kin. 20:12
  2. Isaiah 40:2 Lit. to the heart of
  3. Isaiah 40:3 So with MT, Tg., Vg.; LXX omits in the desert
  4. Isaiah 40:4 Or a plain
  5. Isaiah 40:6 So with MT, Tg.; DSS, LXX, Vg. I
  6. Isaiah 40:10 in strength
  7. Isaiah 40:10 recompense
  8. Isaiah 40:12 So with MT, LXX, Vg.; DSS adds of the sea; Tg. adds of the world
  9. Isaiah 40:12 A span .5 cubit, 9 inches; or the width of His hand
  10. Isaiah 40:20 an offering
  11. Isaiah 40:23 reduces
  12. Isaiah 41:3 Lit. in peace
  13. Isaiah 41:6 Lit. Be strong
  14. Isaiah 41:7 refiner
  15. Isaiah 41:7 Or The soldering is good
  16. Isaiah 41:12 Lit. Men of your strife

Paul, an apostle(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,(B)

To God’s holy people(C) in Ephesus,[a](D) the faithful(E) in Christ Jesus:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(F)

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,(G) who has blessed us in the heavenly realms(H) with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us(I) in him before the creation of the world(J) to be holy and blameless(K) in his sight. In love(L) he[b] predestined(M) us for adoption to sonship[c](N) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure(O) and will— to the praise of his glorious grace,(P) which he has freely given us in the One he loves.(Q) In him we have redemption(R) through his blood,(S) the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches(T) of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he[d] made known to us the mystery(U) of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed(V) in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment(W)—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.(X)

11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined(Y) according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose(Z) of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.(AA) 13 And you also were included in Christ(AB) when you heard the message of truth,(AC) the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,(AD) the promised Holy Spirit,(AE) 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance(AF) until the redemption(AG) of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.(AH)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus(AI) and your love for all God’s people,(AJ) 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you,(AK) remembering you in my prayers.(AL) 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,(AM) may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom(AN) and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened(AO) in order that you may know the hope to which he has called(AP) you, the riches(AQ) of his glorious inheritance(AR) in his holy people,(AS) 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power(AT) is the same as the mighty strength(AU) 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead(AV) and seated him at his right hand(AW) in the heavenly realms,(AX) 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,(AY) and every name(AZ) that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.(BA) 22 And God placed all things under his feet(BB) and appointed him to be head(BC) over everything for the church, 23 which is his body,(BD) the fullness of him(BE) who fills everything in every way.(BF)

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 1:1 Some early manuscripts do not have in Ephesus.
  2. Ephesians 1:5 Or sight in love. He
  3. Ephesians 1:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.
  4. Ephesians 1:9 Or us with all wisdom and understanding. And he
  5. Ephesians 1:11 Or were made heirs
  6. Ephesians 1:17 Or a spirit

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

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Greeting

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Redemption in Christ

(A)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as (B)He chose us in Him (C)before the foundation of the world, that we should (D)be holy and without blame before Him in love, (E)having predestined us to (F)adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, (G)according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, (H)by which He [a]made us accepted in (I)the Beloved.

(J)In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to (K)the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and [b]prudence, (L)having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure (M)which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of (N)the fullness of the times (O)He might gather together in one (P)all things in Christ, [c]both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 (Q)In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to (R)the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 (S)that we (T)who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard (U)the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, (V)you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 (W)who[d] is the [e]guarantee of our inheritance (X)until the redemption of (Y)the purchased possession, (Z)to the praise of His glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

15 Therefore I also, (AA)after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 (AB)do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that (AC)the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, (AD)may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 (AE)the eyes of your [f]understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is (AF)the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, (AG)according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when (AH)He raised Him from the dead and (AI)seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 (AJ)far above all (AK)principality[g] and [h]power and [i]might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

22 And (AL)He put all things under His feet, and gave Him (AM)to be head over all things to the church, 23 (AN)which is His body, (AO)the fullness of Him (AP)who fills all in all.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 1:6 Lit. bestowed grace (favor) upon us
  2. Ephesians 1:8 understanding
  3. Ephesians 1:10 NU, M omit both
  4. Ephesians 1:14 NU which
  5. Ephesians 1:14 down payment, earnest
  6. Ephesians 1:18 NU, M hearts
  7. Ephesians 1:21 rule
  8. Ephesians 1:21 authority
  9. Ephesians 1:21 power

Psalm 66

For the director of music. A song. A psalm.

Shout for joy to God, all the earth!(A)
    Sing the glory of his name;(B)
    make his praise glorious.(C)
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!(D)
    So great is your power
    that your enemies cringe(E) before you.
All the earth bows down(F) to you;
    they sing praise(G) to you,
    they sing the praises of your name.”[a]

Come and see what God has done,
    his awesome deeds(H) for mankind!
He turned the sea into dry land,(I)
    they passed through(J) the waters on foot—
    come, let us rejoice(K) in him.
He rules forever(L) by his power,
    his eyes watch(M) the nations—
    let not the rebellious(N) rise up against him.

Praise(O) our God, all peoples,
    let the sound of his praise be heard;
he has preserved our lives(P)
    and kept our feet from slipping.(Q)
10 For you, God, tested(R) us;
    you refined us like silver.(S)
11 You brought us into prison(T)
    and laid burdens(U) on our backs.
12 You let people ride over our heads;(V)
    we went through fire and water,
    but you brought us to a place of abundance.(W)

13 I will come to your temple with burnt offerings(X)
    and fulfill my vows(Y) to you—
14 vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
    when I was in trouble.
15 I will sacrifice fat animals to you
    and an offering of rams;
    I will offer bulls and goats.(Z)

16 Come and hear,(AA) all you who fear God;
    let me tell(AB) you what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth;
    his praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened;(AC)
19 but God has surely listened
    and has heard(AD) my prayer.
20 Praise be to God,
    who has not rejected(AE) my prayer
    or withheld his love from me!

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 66:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 7 and 15.

66 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:

Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.

Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.

Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.

He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.

He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:

Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.

10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.

12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,

14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.

15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.

16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

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Praise to God for His Awesome Works

To the Chief Musician. A Song. A Psalm.

66 Make (A)a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
Sing out the honor of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
Say to God,
“How (B)awesome are Your works!
(C)Through the greatness of Your power
Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.
(D)All the earth shall worship You
And sing praises to You;
They shall sing praises to Your name.” Selah

Come and see the works of God;
He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.
(E)He turned the sea into dry land;
(F)They went through the river on foot.
There we will rejoice in Him.
He rules by His power forever;
His eyes observe the nations;
Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah

Oh, bless our God, you peoples!
And make the voice of His praise to be heard,
Who keeps our soul among the living,
And does not allow our feet to [a]be moved.
10 For (G)You, O God, have tested us;
(H)You have refined us as silver is refined.
11 (I)You brought us into the net;
You laid affliction on our backs.
12 (J)You have caused men to ride over our heads;
(K)We went through fire and through water;
But You brought us out to [b]rich fulfillment.

13 (L)I will go into Your house with burnt offerings;
(M)I will pay You my [c]vows,
14 Which my lips have uttered
And my mouth has spoken when I was in trouble.
15 I will offer You burnt sacrifices of fat animals,
With the sweet aroma of rams;
I will offer bulls with goats. Selah

16 Come and hear, all you who fear God,
And I will declare what He has done for my soul.
17 I cried to Him with my mouth,
And He was [d]extolled with my tongue.
18 (N)If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear.
19 But certainly God (O)has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer,
Nor His mercy from me!

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 66:9 slip
  2. Psalm 66:12 abundance
  3. Psalm 66:13 Promised deeds
  4. Psalm 66:17 praised

25 May your father and mother rejoice;
    may she who gave you birth be joyful!(A)

Saying 18

26 My son,(B) give me your heart
    and let your eyes delight in my ways,(C)
27 for an adulterous woman is a deep pit,(D)
    and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
28 Like a bandit she lies in wait(E)
    and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

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25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

27 For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.

28 She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.

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25 Let your father and your mother be glad,
And let her who bore you rejoice.

26 My son, give me your heart,
And let your eyes observe my ways.
27 (A)For a harlot is a deep pit,
And a seductress is a narrow well.
28 (B)She also lies in wait as for a victim,
And increases the unfaithful among men.

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