Translations
Modern
“Be silent before Me, O islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come forward and testify; let us together draw near for judgment.
Traditional
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.
Literal
“Be silent before Me, O islands, and the peoples will renew their strength; let them draw near, then let them speak; together let us come near for judgment.
Latin
Taceant ad me insulæ, et gentes mutent fortitudinem: accedant, et tunc loquantur; simul ad judicium propinquemus.
Original
Hebrew
English
“Be silent before Me, O islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come forward and testify; let us together draw near for judgment.
Notes
The nations gathering for a trial must listen quietly to God's arguments.
Let them come forward and testify: Literally let them find new strength, which is a reference to Isaiah 40:31.
God invited the nations to come and speak, challenging them to counter his case.
The Lord invited the nations to a trial to show that he alone is God. They could not defend themselves as he announced that a king from the east (Isaiah 41:2) would defeat Babylon, allowing Israel to return.
Theme notes and profiles
Events
- Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC
Glossary
Book of Baruch Isaiah, Book of New Creation, New Creature Ransom