<h3>Comfort for God’s People</h3>40 <poetry>Comfort, comfort my people, <indent>says your God.</indent> </poetry> 2 <poetry>Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, <indent>and proclaim to her</indent> that her hard service has been completed, <indent>that her sin has been paid for, </indent> that she has received from the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap>’s hand <indent>double for all her sins.</indent><poetry></poetry> 3 <poetry>A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare <indent>the way for the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> ;</indent> make straight in the desert <indent>a highway for our God. </indent> </poetry> 4 <poetry>Every valley shall be raised up, <indent>every mountain and hill made low;</indent> the rough ground shall become level, <indent>the rugged places a plain.</indent> </poetry> 5 <poetry>And the glory of the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> will be revealed, <indent>and all people will see it together. </indent> For the mouth of the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> has spoken.” <poetry></poetry> 6 <poetry>A voice says, “Cry out.” <indent>And I said, “What shall I cry?”</indent><poetry>“All people are like grass, <indent>and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.</indent> </poetry> 7 <poetry>The grass withers and the flowers fall, <indent>because the breath of the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> blows on them.</indent> <indent>Surely the people are grass.</indent> </poetry> 8 <poetry>The grass withers and the flowers fall, <indent>but the word of our God endures forever. ”</indent><poetry></poetry> 9 <poetry>You who bring good news to Zion, <indent>go up on a high mountain.</indent> You who bring good news to Jerusalem, <indent>lift up your voice with a shout,</indent> lift it up, do not be afraid; <indent>say to the towns of Judah,</indent> <indent>“Here is your God!” </indent> </poetry> 10 <poetry>See, the Sovereign <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> comes with power, <indent>and he rules with a mighty arm. </indent> See, his reward is with him, <indent>and his recompense accompanies him.</indent> </poetry> 11 <poetry>He tends his flock like a shepherd: <indent>He gathers the lambs in his arms </indent> and carries them close to his heart; <indent>he gently leads those that have young. </indent><poetry></poetry> 12 <poetry>Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, <indent>or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? </indent> Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, <indent>or weighed the mountains on the scales</indent> <indent>and the hills in a balance? </indent> </poetry> 13 <poetry>Who can fathom the Spirit of the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap>, <indent>or instruct the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> as his counselor? </indent> </poetry> 14 <poetry>Whom did the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> consult to enlighten him, <indent>and who taught him the right way?</indent> Who was it that taught him knowledge, <indent>or showed him the path of understanding? </indent><poetry></poetry> 15 <poetry>Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; <indent>they are regarded as dust on the scales; </indent> <indent>he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. </indent> </poetry> 16 <poetry>Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, <indent>nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.</indent> </poetry> 17 <poetry>Before him all the nations are as nothing; <indent>they are regarded by him as worthless</indent> <indent>and less than nothing. </indent><poetry></poetry> 18 <poetry>With whom, then, will you compare God? <indent>To what image will you liken him?</indent> </poetry> 19 <poetry>As for an idol, a metalworker casts it, <indent>and a goldsmith overlays it with gold </indent> <indent>and fashions silver chains for it.</indent> </poetry> 20 <poetry>A person too poor to present such an offering <indent>selects wood that will not rot;</indent> they look for a skilled worker <indent>to set up an idol that will not topple. </indent><poetry></poetry> 21 <poetry>Do you not know? <indent>Have you not heard? </indent> Has it not been told you from the beginning? <indent>Have you not understood since the earth was founded? </indent> </poetry> 22 <poetry>He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, <indent>and its people are like grasshoppers. </indent> He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, <indent>and spreads them out like a tent to live in. </indent> </poetry> 23 <poetry>He brings princes to naught <indent>and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. </indent> </poetry> 24 <poetry>No sooner are they planted, <indent>no sooner are they sown,</indent> <indent>no sooner do they take root in the ground,</indent> than he blows on them and they wither, <indent>and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. </indent><poetry></poetry> 25 <poetry>“To whom will you compare me? <indent>Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. </indent> </poetry> 26 <poetry>Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: <indent>Who created all these?</indent> He who brings out the starry host one by one <indent>and calls forth each of them by name.</indent> Because of his great power and mighty strength, <indent>not one of them is missing. </indent><poetry></poetry> 27 <poetry>Why do you complain, Jacob? <indent>Why do you say, Israel,</indent> “My way is hidden from the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap>; <indent>my cause is disregarded by my God”? </indent> </poetry> 28 <poetry>Do you not know? <indent>Have you not heard? </indent> The <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> is the everlasting God, <indent>the Creator of the ends of the earth. </indent> He will not grow tired or weary, <indent>and his understanding no one can fathom. </indent> </poetry> 29 <poetry>He gives strength to the weary <indent>and increases the power of the weak.</indent> </poetry> 30 <poetry>Even youths grow tired and weary, <indent>and young men stumble and fall; </indent> </poetry> 31 <poetry>but those who hope in the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> <indent>will renew their strength. </indent> They will soar on wings like eagles; <indent>they will run and not grow weary,</indent> <indent>they will walk and not be faint. </indent></poetry>

Isaiah 40:1

Comfort, comfort<cr>1</cr> my people, <indent>says your God.</indent>

Speak tenderly<cr>1</cr> to Jerusalem, <indent>and proclaim to her</indent> that her hard service<cr>2</cr> has been completed,<cr>3</cr> <indent>that her sin has been paid for,<cr>4</cr> </indent> that she has received from the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap>’s hand <indent>double<cr>5</cr> for all her sins.</indent><pb/><poetry>

Isaiah 40:2

A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare <indent>the way<cr>1</cr> for the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap><ft>1</ft>;</indent> make straight<cr>2</cr> in the desert <indent>a highway for our God.<ft>2</ft><cr>3</cr> </indent>

Isaiah 40:3

Every valley shall be raised up,<cr>1</cr> <indent>every mountain and hill<cr>2</cr> made low;</indent> the rough ground shall become level,<cr>3</cr> <indent>the rugged places a plain.</indent>

Isaiah 40:4

And the glory<cr>1</cr> of the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> will be revealed, <indent>and all people will see it together.<cr>2</cr> </indent> For the mouth of the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> has spoken.”<cr>3</cr> <pb/><poetry>

Isaiah 40:5

A voice says, “Cry out.” <indent>And I said, “What shall I cry?”</indent><pb/><poetry>“All people are like grass,<cr>1</cr> <indent>and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.</indent>

Isaiah 40:6

The grass withers<cr>1</cr> and the flowers fall, <indent>because the breath<cr>2</cr> of the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> blows<cr>3</cr> on them.</indent> <indent>Surely the people are grass.</indent>

Isaiah 40:7

The grass withers and the flowers<cr>1</cr> fall, <indent>but the word<cr>2</cr> of our God endures<cr>3</cr> forever.<cr>4</cr> ”</indent><pb/><poetry>

Isaiah 40:8

You who bring good news<cr>1</cr> to Zion, <indent>go up on a high mountain.</indent> You who bring good news to Jerusalem,<ft>1</ft><cr>2</cr> <indent>lift up your voice with a shout,</indent> lift it up, do not be afraid; <indent>say to the towns of Judah,</indent> <indent>“Here is your God!”<cr>3</cr> </indent>

Isaiah 40:9

See, the Sovereign <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> comes<cr>1</cr> with power,<cr>2</cr> <indent>and he rules<cr>3</cr> with a mighty arm.<cr>4</cr> </indent> See, his reward<cr>5</cr> is with him, <indent>and his recompense accompanies him.</indent>

Isaiah 40:10

He tends his flock like a shepherd:<cr>1</cr> <indent>He gathers the lambs in his arms<cr>2</cr> </indent> and carries them close to his heart;<cr>3</cr> <indent>he gently leads<cr>4</cr> those that have young.<cr>5</cr> </indent><pb/><poetry>

Isaiah 40:11

Who has measured the waters<cr>1</cr> in the hollow of his hand,<cr>2</cr> <indent>or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?<cr>3</cr> </indent> Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, <indent>or weighed the mountains on the scales</indent> <indent>and the hills in a balance?<cr>4</cr> </indent>

Isaiah 40:12

Who can fathom the Spirit<ft>1</ft><cr>1</cr> of the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap>, <indent>or instruct the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> as his counselor?<cr>2</cr> </indent>

Isaiah 40:13

Whom did the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> consult to enlighten him, <indent>and who taught him the right way?</indent> Who was it that taught him knowledge,<cr>1</cr> <indent>or showed him the path of understanding?<cr>2</cr> </indent><pb/><poetry>

Isaiah 40:14

Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; <indent>they are regarded as dust on the scales;<cr>1</cr> </indent> <indent>he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.<cr>2</cr> </indent>

Isaiah 40:15

Lebanon<cr>1</cr> is not sufficient for altar fires, <indent>nor its animals<cr>2</cr> enough for burnt offerings.</indent>

Isaiah 40:16

Before him all the nations<cr>1</cr> are as nothing;<cr>2</cr> <indent>they are regarded by him as worthless</indent> <indent>and less than nothing.<cr>3</cr> </indent><pb/><poetry>

Isaiah 40:17

With whom, then, will you compare God?<cr>1</cr> <indent>To what image<cr>2</cr> will you liken him?</indent>

Isaiah 40:18

As for an idol,<cr>1</cr> a metalworker casts it, <indent>and a goldsmith<cr>2</cr> overlays it with gold<cr>3</cr> </indent> <indent>and fashions silver chains for it.</indent>

Isaiah 40:19

A person too poor to present such an offering <indent>selects wood<cr>1</cr> that will not rot;</indent> they look for a skilled worker <indent>to set up an idol<cr>2</cr> that will not topple.<cr>3</cr> </indent><pb/><poetry>

Isaiah 40:20

Do you not know? <indent>Have you not heard?<cr>1</cr> </indent> Has it not been told<cr>2</cr> you from the beginning?<cr>3</cr> <indent>Have you not understood<cr>4</cr> since the earth was founded?<cr>5</cr> </indent>

Isaiah 40:21

He sits enthroned<cr>1</cr> above the circle of the earth, <indent>and its people are like grasshoppers.<cr>2</cr> </indent> He stretches out the heavens<cr>3</cr> like a canopy,<cr>4</cr> <indent>and spreads them out like a tent<cr>5</cr> to live in.<cr>6</cr> </indent>

Isaiah 40:22

He brings princes<cr>1</cr> to naught <indent>and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.<cr>2</cr> </indent>

Isaiah 40:23

No sooner are they planted, <indent>no sooner are they sown,</indent> <indent>no sooner do they take root<cr>1</cr> in the ground,</indent> than he blows<cr>2</cr> on them and they wither,<cr>3</cr> <indent>and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.<cr>4</cr> </indent><pb/><poetry>

Isaiah 40:24

“To whom will you compare me?<cr>1</cr> <indent>Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.<cr>2</cr> </indent>

Isaiah 40:25

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:<cr>1</cr> <indent>Who created<cr>2</cr> all these?</indent> He who brings out the starry host<cr>3</cr> one by one <indent>and calls forth each of them by name.</indent> Because of his great power and mighty strength,<cr>4</cr> <indent>not one of them is missing.<cr>5</cr> </indent><pb/><poetry>

Isaiah 40:26

Why do you complain, Jacob? <indent>Why do you say, Israel,</indent> “My way is hidden from the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap>; <indent>my cause is disregarded by my God”?<cr>1</cr> </indent>

Isaiah 40:27

Do you not know? <indent>Have you not heard?<cr>1</cr> </indent> The <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> is the everlasting<cr>2</cr> God, <indent>the Creator<cr>3</cr> of the ends of the earth.<cr>4</cr> </indent> He will not grow tired or weary,<cr>5</cr> <indent>and his understanding no one can fathom.<cr>6</cr> </indent>

Isaiah 40:28

He gives strength<cr>1</cr> to the weary<cr>2</cr> <indent>and increases the power of the weak.</indent>

Isaiah 40:29

Even youths grow tired and weary, <indent>and young men<cr>1</cr> stumble and fall;<cr>2</cr> </indent>

Isaiah 40:30

but those who hope<cr>1</cr> in the <smallCap>Lord</smallCap> <indent>will renew their strength.<cr>2</cr> </indent> They will soar on wings like eagles;<cr>3</cr> <indent>they will run and not grow weary,</indent> <indent>they will walk and not be faint.<cr>4</cr> </indent>

Isaiah 40:31

 1 Comfort, comfort   my people, says your God.  2 Speak tenderly   to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service   has been completed,   that her sin has been paid for,   that she has received from the Lord’s hand double   for all her sins.  3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way   for the Lord ; make straight   in the desert a highway for our God.     4 Every valley shall be raised up,   every mountain and hill   made low; the rough ground shall become level,   the rugged places a plain.  5 And the glory   of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together.   For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”    6 A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass,   and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.  7 The grass withers   and the flowers fall, because the breath   of the Lord blows   on them. Surely the people are grass.  8 The grass withers and the flowers   fall, but the word   of our God endures   forever.  ”  9 You who bring good news   to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem,    lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”    10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes   with power,   and he rules   with a mighty arm.   See, his reward   is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.  11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:   He gathers the lambs in his arms   and carries them close to his heart;   he gently leads   those that have young.    12 Who has measured the waters   in the hollow of his hand,   or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?   Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?    13 Who can fathom the Spirit    of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor?    14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge,   or showed him the path of understanding?    15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales;   he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.    16 Lebanon   is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals   enough for burnt offerings.  17 Before him all the nations   are as nothing;   they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing.    18 With whom, then, will you compare God?   To what image   will you liken him?  19 As for an idol,   a metalworker casts it, and a goldsmith   overlays it with gold   and fashions silver chains for it.  20 A person too poor to present such an offering selects wood   that will not rot; they look for a skilled worker to set up an idol   that will not topple.    21 Do you not know? Have you not heard?   Has it not been told   you from the beginning?   Have you not understood   since the earth was founded?    22 He sits enthroned   above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers.   He stretches out the heavens   like a canopy,   and spreads them out like a tent   to live in.    23 He brings princes   to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.    24 No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root   in the ground, than he blows   on them and they wither,   and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.    25 “To whom will you compare me?   Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.    26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:   Who created   all these? He who brings out the starry host   one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength,   not one of them is missing.    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”?    28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?   The Lord is the everlasting   God, the Creator   of the ends of the earth.   He will not grow tired or weary,   and his understanding no one can fathom.    29 He gives strength   to the weary   and increases the power of the weak.  30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men   stumble and fall;    31 but those who hope   in the Lord will renew their strength.   They will soar on wings like eagles;   they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

isaiah 40 - NIV

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