The Lord Our Judge and King

Isaiah 33

The prophet cries out for mercy against a treacherous oppressor and celebrates the terror that will fall on the nations when the Lord is exalted. He describes the righteous man who dwells securely in a high refuge, and declares Zion an unshakable city because the Lord himself is her judge, lawgiver, and king.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

Thomson(p) WOE to them who miserably afflict you; but none can make you miserable. Even the deceiver doth not deceive you. The deceivers shall be taken and delivered up and like a moth on a garment they shall be crushed.

BrentonWoe to them that afflict you; but no one makes you miserable: and he that deals perfidiously with you does not deal perfidiously: they that deal perfidiously shall be taken and given up, and as a moth on a garment, so shall they be spoiled.

GreekΟὐαὶ τοῖς ταλαιπωροῦσιν ὑμᾶς, ὑμᾶς δὲ οὐδεὶς ποιεῖ ταλαιπώρους, καὶ ὁ ἀθετῶν ὑμᾶς οὐκ ἀθετεῖ· ἁλώσονται οἱ ἀθετοῦντες, καὶ παραδοθήσονται, καὶ ὡς σὴς ἐφʼ ἱματίου, οὕτως ἡττηθήσονται.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonO Lord, have mercy upon us! for in Thee we have placed our trust. The seed of the rebellious were for destruction: but Thou wast our safety in the time of trouble.

BrentonLord, have mercy upon us; for we have trusted in thee: the seed of the rebellious is gone to destruction, but our deliverance was in a time of affliction.

GreekΚύριε ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, ἐπὶ σοὶ γὰρ πεποίθαμεν· ἐγενήθη τὸ σπέρμα τῶν ἀπειθούντων εἰς ἀπώλειαν, ἡ δὲ σωτηρία ἡμῶν ἐν καιρῷ θλίψεως.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonAt the terror of Thy voice peoples were confounded; for fear of Thee the nations were dispersed.

BrentonBy reason of the terrible sound the nations were dismayed for fear of thee, and the heathen were scattered.

GreekΔιὰ φωνὴν τοῦ φόβου ἐξέστησαν λαοὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ φόβου σου, καὶ διεσπάρησαν τὰ ἔθνη.

KJVAt the noise of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of thyself the nations were scattered.

JPS—

ThomsonNow your spoils are to be gathered; the spoils both of small and great. As if one were gathering locusts, so will they insult you.

BrentonAnd now shall the spoils of your small and great be gathered: as if one should gather locusts, so shall they mock you.

GreekΝῦν δὲ συναχθήσεται τὰ σκῦλα ὑμῶν μικροῦ καὶ μεγάλου· ὃν τρόπον ἐάν τις συναγάγῃ ἀκρίδας, οὕτως ἐμπαίξουσιν ὑμῖν.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonHoly is the God Who dwelleth on high. Sion is filled with judgment and righteousness.

BrentonThe God who dwells on high is holy: Sion is filled with judgment and righteousness.

GreekἍγιος ὁ Θεὸς ὁ κατοικῶν ἐν ὑψηλῷ, ἔνεπλήσθη Σιὼν κρίσεως καὶ δικαιοσύνης.

KJVThe LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.

JPSThe LORD is exalted, for He dwelleth on high; He hath filled Zion with justice and righteousness.

ThomsonBy law they were to be delivered up; in treasures is our safety. Let there be there wisdom and knowledge and piety towards the Lord (these are the treasures of righteousness);

BrentonThey shall be delivered up to the law: our salvation is our treasure: there are wisdom and knowledge and piety toward the Lord; these are the treasures of righteousness.

GreekἘν νόμῳ παραδοθήσονται, ἐν θησαυροῖς ἡ σωτηρία ἡμῶν, ἐκεῖ σοφία καὶ ἐπιστήμη καὶ εὐσέβεια πρὸς τὸν κύριον· οὗτοί εἰσι θησαυροὶ δικαιοσύνης.

KJVAnd wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.

JPSAnd the stability of thy times shall be a hoard of salvation—wisdom and knowledge, And the fear of the LORD which is His treasure.

Thomsonthen behold with the dread of you they shall be terrified—they, of whom you have been afraid, will for fear of you raise a grievous cry. Messengers will be sent weeping bitterly, suing for peace.

BrentonBehold now, these shall be terrified with fear of you: those whom ye feared shall cry out because of you: messengers shall be sent, bitterly weeping, entreating for peace.

GreekἸδοὺ δὴ ἐν τῷ φόβῳ ὑμῶν οὗτοι φοβηθήσονται· οὓς ἐφοβεῖσθε, βοήσονται ἀφʼ ὑμῶν· ἄγγελοι ἀποσταλήσονται, πικρῶς κλαίοντες, παρακαλοῦντες εἰρήνην.

KJVBehold, their valiant ones shall cry without: the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly.

JPSBehold, their valiant ones cry without; The ambassadors of peace weep bitterly.

Thomson—

BrentonFor the ways of these shall be made desolate: the terror of the nations has been made to cease, and the covenant with these is taken away, and ye shall by no means deem them men.

GreekἘρημωθήσονται γὰρ αἱ τούτων ὁδοί· πέπαυται ὁ φόβος τῶν ἐθνῶν, καὶ ἡ πρὸς τούτους διαθήκη αἴρεται, καὶ οὐ μὴ λογίσησθε αὐτοὺς ἀνθρώπους.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonThe land mourned; Lebanon was ashamed; Saron was become fens; Galilee and Chermel were bare.

BrentonThe land mourns; Libanus is ashamed: Saron is become marshes; Galilee shall be laid bare, and Chermel.

GreekἘπένθησεν ἡ γῆ, ᾐσχύνθη ὁ Λίβανος, ἕλη ἐγένετο ὁ Σάρων· φανερὰ ἔσται ἡ Γαλιλαία, καὶ ὁ Χέρμελ.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonNow will I arise, saith the Lord, Now shall I be glorified;

BrentonNow will I arise, saith the Lord, now will I be glorified; now will I be exalted.

GreekΝῦν ἀναστήσομαι, λέγει Κύριος, νῦν δοξασθήσομαι, νῦν ὑψωθήσομαι.

KJVNow will I rise, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself.

JPSNow will I arise, saith the LORD; Now will I be exalted; now will I lift Myself up.

Thomsonnow shall I be exalted; now you shall see: now you shall feel. The strength of your spirit shall be vain; a fire shall utterly devour you;

BrentonNow shall ye see, now shall ye perceive; the strength of your breath shall be vain; fire shall devour you.

GreekΝῦν ὄψεσθε, νῦν αἰσθηθήσεσθε, ματαία ἔσται ἡ ἰσχὺς τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν· πῦρ κατέδεται ὑμᾶς.

KJVYe shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour you.

JPSYe conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble; Your breath is a fire that shall devour you.

Thomsonand nations shall be burned up, as thorns in a field are rejected and burned.

BrentonAnd the nations shall be burnt up; as a thorn in the field cast out and burnt up.

GreekΚαὶ ἔσονται ἔθνη κατακεκαυμένα, ὡς ἄκανθα ἐν ἀγρῷ ἐῤῥιμμένη καὶ κατακεκαυμένη.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonThe far distant nations shall hear what I have done, they who are near shall know My power.

BrentonThey that are afar off shall hear what I have done; they that draw nigh shall know my strength.

GreekἈκούσονται οἱ πόῤῥωθεν ἃ ἐποίησα, γνώσονται οἱ ἐγγίζοντες τὴν ἰσχύν μου.

KJVHear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might.

JPSHear, ye that are far off, what I have done; And, ye that are near, acknowledge My might.

ThomsonThe transgressors in Sion are fled; terror will seize the ungodly. Who will tell you that a fire is kindled? who will proclaim to you the place which is everlasting?

BrentonThe sinners in Sion have departed; trembling shall seize the ungodly. Who will tell you that a fire is kindled? Who will tell you of the eternal place?

GreekἈπέστησαν οἱ ἐν Σιὼν ἄνομοι, λήψεται τρόμος τοὺς ἀσεβεῖς· τίς ἀναγγελεῖ ὑμῖν, ὅτι πῦρ καίεται; τίς ἀναγγελεῖ ὑμῖν τὸν τόπον τὸν αἰώνιον;

KJV—

JPSThe sinners in Zion are afraid; Trembling hath seized the ungodly: ‘Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?’

ThomsonHe who is walking in righteousness, speaking of a straight way; who hateth iniquity and injustice; who shaketh his hands from bribes; who stoppeth his ears that he may not hear a bloody sentence; who shutteth his eyes against the appearance of injustice:

BrentonHe that walks in righteousness, speaking rightly, hating transgression and iniquity, and shaking his hands from gifts, stopping his ears that he should not hear the judgment of blood, shutting his eyes that he should not see injustice;

GreekΠορευόμενος ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ, λαλῶν εὐθεῖαν ὁδόν, μισῶν ἀνομίαν καὶ ἀδικίαν, καὶ τὰς χεῖρας ἀποσειόμενος ἀπὸ δώρων· βαρύνων τὰ ὦτα, ἵνα μὴ ἀκούσῃ κρίσιν αἵματος· καμμύων τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς, ἵνα μὴ ἴδῃ ἀδικίαν,

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonhe shall dwell in a lofty cavern of a strong rock: bread shall be given him and his water shall not fail.

Brentonhe shall dwell in a high cave of a strong rock: bread shall be given him, and his water shall be sure.

Greekοὗτος οἰκήσει ἐν ὑψηλῷ σπηλαίῳ πέτρας ἰσχυρᾶς· ἄρτος αὐτῷ δοθήσεται, καὶ τὸ ὕδωρ αὐτοῦ πιστόν.

KJVHe shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

JPSHe shall dwell on high; His place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks; His bread shall be given, his waters shall be sure.

ThomsonYou shall see a king with glory; your eyes shall see a far distant land;

BrentonYe shall see a king with glory: your eyes shall behold a land from afar.

GreekΒασιλέα μετὰ δόξης ὄψεσθε, οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ὑμῶν ὄψονται γῆν πόῤῥωθεν,

KJVThine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.

JPSThine eyes shall see the king in his beauty; they shall behold a land stretching afar.

Thomsonyour soul will meditate on terror. Where are the scribes? Where the counsellors? Where is he who numbereth them who are fed—

BrentonYour soul shall meditate terror. Where are the scribes? where are the counsellors, where is he that numbers them that are growing up,

Greekἡ ψυχὴ ἡμῶν μελετήσει φόβον· ποῦ εἰσιν οἱ γραμματικοί; ποῦ εἰσιν οἱ συμβουλεύοντες; ποῦ ἐστιν ὁ ἀριθμῶν τοὺς τρεφομένους

KJVThine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?

JPS—

ThomsonThe people small and great? Alas! they gave no counsel; nor did they understand Him whose voice was so low that a despised people could not hear; and [even] he who heareth hath not knowledge [to understand].

Brentoneven the small and great people? with whom he took not counsel, neither did he understand a people of deep speech, so that a despised people should not hear, and there is no understanding to him that hears.

Greekμικρὸν καὶ μέγαν λαόν; ᾧ οὐ συνεβουλεύσατο, οὐσὲ ᾔδει βαθύφωνον, ὥστε μὴ ἀκοῦσαι λαὸς πεφαυλισμένος, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι τῷ ἀκούοντι σύνεσις.

KJV—

JPSThou shalt not see the fierce people; A people of a deep speech that thou canst not perceive, Of a stammering tongue that thou canst not understand.

ThomsonBehold the city Sion is our salvation. Thine eyes will look upon Jerusalem. It is a rich city composed of tents which should not be shaken; nor should the pins of her tabernacle ever be moved, nor its cords broken.

BrentonBehold the city Sion, our refuge: thine eyes shall behold Jerusalem, a rich city, tabernacles which shall not be shaken, neither shall the pins of her tabernacle be moved for ever, neither shall her cords be at all broken:

GreekἸδοὺ Σιὼν ἡ πόλις, τὸ σωτήριον ἡμῶν, οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου ὄψονται Ἱερουσαλὴμ, πόλις πλουσία, σκηναὶ αἳ οὐ μὴ σεισθῶσιν, οὐδὲ μὴ κινηθῶσιν οἱ πάσσαλοι τῆς σκηνῆς αὐτῆς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα χρόνον, οὐδὲ τὰ σχοινία αὐτῆς οὐ μὴ διαῤῥαγῶσιν·

KJVLook upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.

JPSLook upon Zion, the city of our solemn gatherings; Thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a peaceful habitation, A tent that shall not be removed, The stakes whereof shall never be plucked up, Neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.

ThomsonBecause the name of the Lord is great to you, it shall be to you a place of streams and canals broad and spacious. Thou shalt not pass this way; nor shall a galley with oars cross;

Brentonfor the name of the Lord is great to you: ye shall have a place, even rivers and wide and spacious channels: thou shalt not go this way, neither a vessel with oars go thereby.

Greekὅτι τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου μέγα ὑμῖν· τόπος ὑμῖν ἔσται, ποταμοὶ καὶ διώρυχες πλατεῖς καὶ εὐρύχωροι· οὐ πορεύσῃ ταύτην τὴν ὁδὸν, οὐδὲ πορεύσεται πλοῖον ἐλαύνον.

KJVBut there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.

JPSBut there the LORD will be with us in majesty, In a place of broad rivers and streams; Wherein shall go no galley with oars, Neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.

Thomsonfor my God is great and will not pass me by. The Lord our judge—the Lord our chief—the Lord our king—the Lord will Himself save us.

BrentonFor my God is great: the Lord our judge shall not pass me by: the Lord is our prince, the Lord is our king; the Lord, he shall save us.

GreekὉ γὰρ Θεός μου μέγας ἐστίν· οὐ παρελεύσεταί με Κύριος κριτὴς ἡμῶν, Κύριος ἄρχων ἡμῶν, Κύριος βασιλεὺς ἡμῶν, Κύριος οὗτος ἡμᾶς σώσει.

KJVFor the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.

JPSFor the LORD is our Judge, The LORD is our Lawgiver, The LORD is our King; He will save us.

ThomsonThy tacklings broke, for they had no strength; thy mast gave way. It will not support the sails, nor rear a standard until it be delivered up for a spoil; therefore many who are lame will seize the prey:

BrentonThy cords are broken, for they had no strength: thy mast has given way, it shall not spread the sails, it shall not bear a signal, until it be given up for plunder; therefore shall many lame men take spoil.

GreekἘῤῥάγησαν τὰ σχοινία σου, ὅτι οὐκ ἐνίσχυσαν· ὁ ἱστός σου ἔκλινεν, οὐ χαλάσει τὰ ἱστία, οὐκ ἀρεῖ σημεῖον, ἕως οὗ παραδοθῇ εἰς προνομήν· τοίνυν πολλοὶ χωλοὶ προνομὴν ποιήσουσι,

KJVThy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.

JPSThy tacklings are loosed; They do not hold the stand of their mast, They do not spread the sail; Then is the prey of a great spoil divided; The lame take the prey.

Thomsonbut let not the people who dwell among these say, I am remorseful, for their sin is forgiven them.

BrentonAnd the people dwelling among them shall by no means say, I am in pain: for their sin shall be forgiven them.

Greekκαὶ οὐ μὴ εἴπωσι, Κοπιῶ ὁ λαὸς ἐνοικῶν ἐν αὐτοῖς· ἀφεθῆ γὰρ αὐτοῖς ἡ ἁμαρτία.

KJVAnd the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.

JPSAnd the inhabitant shall not say: ‘I am sick’; The people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.