Comfort for God's People
Isaiah 40
The Lord commands that comfort be proclaimed to Jerusalem and announces a voice preparing his way in the wilderness, contrasting the fleeting nature of human life with the enduring word of God. He declares his greatness above the nations and their idols, promising renewed strength to those who wait on him.
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
1
ThomsonCOMFORT ye, comfort ye My people, saith God:
BrentonComfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith God.
GreekΠαρακαλεῖτε παρακαλεῖτε τὸν λαόν μου, λέγει ὁ Θεός.
KJVComfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
JPSComfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God.
2
ThomsonO priests, speak to the understanding of Jerusalem; comfort her; for her humiliation is accomplished; her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received from the hand of the Lord [blessings] double to the punishment of her sins.
BrentonSpeak, ye priests, to the heart of Jerusalem; comfort her, for her humiliation is accomplished, her sin is put away: for she has received of the Lord's hand double the amount of her sins.
GreekἹερεῖς λαλήσατε εἰς τὴν καρδίαν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, παρακαλέσατε αὐτὴν, ὅτι ἐπλήσθη ἡ ταπείνωσις αὐτῆς, λέλυται αὐτῆς ἡ ἁμαρτία, ὅτι ἐδέξατο ἐκ χειρὸς Κυρίου διπλᾶ τὰ ἁμαρτήματα αὐτῆς.
KJVSpeak 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.
JPSBid Jerusalem take heart, and proclaim unto her, that her time of service is accomplished, that her guilt is paid off; that she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.
3
ThomsonA voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight the roads for our God.
BrentonThe voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of our God.
GreekΦωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου, εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν.
KJVThe 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.
JPSHark! one calleth: ‘Clear ye in the wilderness the way of the LORD, make plain in the desert a highway for our God.
4
ThomsonLet every valley be filled up, and every mountain and hill be levelled: and let all the crooked be made a straight road, and the rough way, smooth plains:
BrentonEvery valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low: and all the crooked ways shall become straight, and the rough places plains.
GreekΠᾶσα φάραγξ πληρωθήσεται, καὶ πᾶν ὄρος καὶ βουνὸς ταπεινωθήσεται· καὶ ἔσται πάντα τὰ σκολιὰ εἰς εὐθεῖαν, καὶ ἡ τραχεῖα εἰς πεδία.
KJVEvery 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:
JPSEvery valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the rugged shall be made level, and the rough places a plain;
5
Thomsonand the glory of the Lord will appear: And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. For the Lord hath spoken.
BrentonAnd the glory of the Lord shall appear, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God: for the Lord has spoken it.
GreekΚαὶ ὀφθήσεται ἡ δόξα Κυρίου, καὶ ὄψεται πᾶσα σὰρξ τὸ σωτήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὅτι Κύριος ἐλάλησε.
KJVAnd the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
JPSAnd the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.’
6
ThomsonA voice of one saying, Proclaim! Wherefore I said, What shall I proclaim? “All flesh is grass; and all the glory of man as a flower of grass.
BrentonThe voice of one saying, Cry; and I said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.
GreekΦωνὴ λέγοντος, βόησον· καὶ εἶπα, τί βοήσω; πᾶσα σὰρξ χορτὸς, καὶ πᾶσα δόξα ἀνθρώπου ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου·
KJVThe 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:
JPSHark! one saith: ‘Proclaim!’ And he saith: ‘What shall I proclaim?’ ’All flesh is grass, And all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field;
7
Thomson—
BrentonThe grass withers, and the flower fades:
GreekἘξηράνθη ὁ χόρτος, καὶ τὸ ἄνθος ἐξέπεσε·
KJVThe grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.
JPSThe grass withereth, the flower fadeth; Because the breath of the LORD bloweth upon it— Surely the people is grass.
8
ThomsonThe grass is withered and the flower fallen; but the word of our God will endure forever.”
Brentonbut the word of our God abides for ever.
Greekτὸ δὲ ῥῆμα τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
KJVThe grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
JPSThe grass withereth, the flower fadeth; But the word of our God shall stand for ever.’
9
ThomsonAscend a lofty mountain, thou who proclaimest good news to Sion. Exalt thy voice with strength, thou who bringest glad tidings to Jerusalem: raise it up; be not afraid; say to the cities of Juda, Behold, your God!
BrentonO thou that bringest glad tidings to Zion, go up on the high mountain; lift up thy voice with strength, thou that bringest glad tidings to Jerusalem; lift it up, fear not; say unto the cities of Juda, Behold your God!
GreekἘπʼ ὄρος ὑψηλὸν ἀνάβηθι ὁ εὐαγγελιζόμενος Σιὼν, ὕψωσον τῇ ἰσχύϊ τὴν φωνήν σου ὁ εὐαγγελιζόμενος Ἱερουσαλήμ· ὑψώσατε, μὴ φοβεῖσθε· εἰπὸν ταῖς πόλεσιν Ἰούδα, ἰδοὺ ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῶν, ἰδοὺ Κύριος·
KJVO 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!
JPSO thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, Get thee up into the high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, Lift up thy voice with strength; Lift it up, be not afraid; Say unto the cities of Judah: ‘Behold your God! ’
10
Thomsonbehold the Lord! The Lord is coming with majesty; and His arm with dominion. Behold His reward is with Him; and His work, before Him.
BrentonBehold the Lord! The Lord is coming with strength, and his arm is with power: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
GreekΚύριος μετὰ ἰσχύος ἔρχεται, καὶ ὁ βραχίων μετὰ κυρίας· ἰδοὺ ὁ μισθὸς αὐτοῦ μετʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸ ἔργον ἐναντίον αὐτοῦ.
KJVBehold, 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.
JPSBehold, the Lord GOD will come as a Mighty One, And His arm will rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His recompense before Him.
11
ThomsonLike a shepherd He will tend His flock; and with His arm He will gather the lambs, and comfort the ewes that are with young.
BrentonHe shall tend his flock as a shepherd, and he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and shall soothe them that are with young.
GreekὩς ποιμὴν ποιμανεῖ τὸ ποίμνιον αὐτοῦ, καὶ τῷ βραχίονι αὐτοῦ συνάξει ἄρνας, καὶ ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσας παρακαλέσει.
KJVHe 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.
JPSEven as a shepherd that feedeth his flock, That gathereth the lambs in his arm, And carrieth them in his bosom, And gently leadeth those that give suck.
12
ThomsonWho hath measured the water with his hand, and the heaven with a span and the whole earth with a hand breadth? Who hath weighed the mountains in scales and the dales with a balance?
BrentonWho has measured the water in his hand, and the heaven with a span, and all the earth in a handful? Who has weighed the mountains in scales, and the forests in a balance?
GreekΤίς ἐμέτρησε τῇ χειρὶ τὸ ὕδωρ, καὶ τὸν οὐρανὸν σπιθαμῇ, καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν δρακί; τίς ἔστησε τὰ ὄρη σταθμῷ, καὶ τὰς νάπας ζυγῷ;
KJVWho 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?
JPSWho 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
ThomsonWho hath known the mind of the Lord? and who hath been of His counsel to teach Him?
BrentonWho has known the mind of the Lord? and who has been his counsellor, to instruct him?
GreekΤίς ἔγνω νοῦν Κυρίου; καὶ τίς αὐτοῦ σύμβουλος ἐγένετο, ὃς συμβιβᾷ αὐτόν;
KJVWho hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?
JPSWho hath meted out the spirit of the LORD? Or who was His counsellor that he might instruct Him?
14
Thomsonor whom hath He consulted that He might instruct him? or who hath pointed out judgment to Him? or who hath shewn Him the way of knowledge?
BrentonOr with whom has he taken counsel, and he has instructed him? or who has taught him judgment, or who has taught him the way of understanding;
GreekἪ πρὸς τίνα συνεβουλεύσατο, καὶ συνεβίβασεν αὐτόν; ἢ τίς ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ κρίσιν; ἢ ὁδὸν συνέσεως τίς ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ;
KJVWith 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?
JPSWith whom took He counsel, and who instructed Him, And taught Him in the path of right, And taught Him knowledge, And made Him to know the way of discernment?
15
ThomsonIf all the nations are as a drop from a cask; and are accounted as the turning of a balance—may be reckoned as spittle;
Brentonsince all the nations are counted as a drop from a bucket, and as the turning of a balance, and shall be counted as spittle?
GreekΕἰ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ὡς σταγὼν ἀπὸ κάδου, καὶ ὡς ῥοπὴ ζυγοῦ ἐλογίσθησαν, ὡς σίελος λογισθήσονται;
KJVBehold, 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.
JPSBehold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, And are counted as the small dust of the balance; Behold the isles are as a mote in weight.
16
Thomsonif Lebanon is not sufficient for a fire, nor all the beasts sufficient for an homage offering:
BrentonAnd Libanus is not enough to burn, nor all beasts enough for a whole-burnt offering:
GreekὉ δὲ Λίβανος οὐχ ἱκανὸς εἰς καῦσιν, καὶ πάντα τὰ τετράποδα οὐχ ἱκανὰ εἰς ὁλοκάρπωσιν,
KJVAnd Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.
JPSAnd Lebanon is not sufficient fuel, Nor the beasts thereof sufficient for burnt-offerings.
17
Thomsonand all the nations are as nothing and reckoned as nothing:
Brentonand all the nations are as nothing, and counted as nothing.
Greekκαὶ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ὡς οὐδέν εἰσι, καὶ εἰς οὐθὲν ἐλογίσθησαν.
KJVAll nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.
JPSAll the nations are as nothing before Him; They are accounted by Him as things of nought, and vanity.
18
Thomsonto whom have you likened the Lord? and to what likeness have you compared Him?
BrentonTo whom have ye compared the Lord? and with what likeness have ye compared him?
GreekΤίνι ὡμοιώσατε Κύριον; καὶ τίνι ὁμοιώματι ὡμοιώσατε αὐτόν;
KJVTo whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
JPSTo whom then will ye liken God? Or what likeness will ye compare unto Him?
19
ThomsonHath a carpenter when he hath made an image, or the goldsmith when he hath melted gold and gilded it, prepared this as a likeness of Him?
BrentonHas not the artificer made an image, or the goldsmith having melted gold, gilt it over, and made it a similitude?
GreekΜὴ εἰκόνα ἐποίησε τέκτων, ἢ χρυσοχόος χωνεύσας χρυσίον περιεχρύσωσεν αὐτὸν, ὁμοίωμα κατεσκεύασεν αὐτόν;
KJVThe workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.
JPSThe image perchance, which the craftsman hath melted, And the goldsmith spread over with gold, The silversmith casting silver chains?
20
Thomsonfor the carpenter chooseth a sound piece of timber and will inquire wisely, how he may place his image that it may not be moved.
BrentonFor the artificer chooses out a wood that will not rot, and will wisely enquire how he shall set up his image, and that so that it should not be moved.
GreekΞύλον γὰρ ἄσηπτον ἐκλέγεται τέκτων, καὶ σοφῶς ζητήσει πῶς στήσει εἰκόνα αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἵνα μὴ σαλεύηται.
KJV—
JPSA holm-oak is set apart, He chooseth a tree that will not rot; He seeketh unto him a cunning craftsman To set up an image, that shall not be moved.
21
ThomsonWill you not know? will you not hear? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have you not known the foundations of the earth?
BrentonWill ye not know? will ye not hear? has it not been told you of old? Have ye not known the foundations of the earth?
GreekΟὐ γνώσεσθε; οὐκ ἀκούσεσθε; οὐκ ἀνηγγέλη ἐξ ἀρχῆς ὑμῖν; οὐκ ἔγνωτε τὰ θεμέλια τῆς γῆς;
KJVHave 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?
JPSKnow ye not? hear ye not? Hath it not been told you from the beginning? Have ye not understood the foundations of the earth?
22
ThomsonHe it is, who occupieth the circuit of the earth; and the inhabitants thereon are as grasshoppers. He it is, who established the heaven as an arch, and spread it out as a tent to be dwelt in;
BrentonIt is he that comprehends the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants in it are as grasshoppers; he that set up the heaven as a chamber, and stretched it out as a tent to dwell in:
GreekὉ κατέχων τὸν γῦρον τῆς γῆς, καὶ οἱ ἐνοικοῦντες ἐν αὐτῇ ὡς ἀκρίδες· ὁ στήσας ὡς καμάραν τὸν οὐρανὸν, καὶ διατείνας ὡς σκηνὴν κατοικεῖν·
KJVIt 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:
JPSIt is He that sitteth above 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
Thomsonwho giveth chiefs as a nothingness to govern: and hath made the earth as a mere nothing.
Brentonhe that appoints princes to rule as nothing, and has made the earth as nothing.
GreekὉ διδοὺς ἄρχοντας ὡς οὐδὲν ἄρχειν, τὴν δὲ γῆν ὡς οὐδὲν ἐποίησεν.
KJVThat bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.
JPSThat bringeth princes to nothing; He maketh the judges of the earth as a thing of nought.
24
ThomsonFor they could not plant nor could they sow, nor could their root strike into the ground; He blew upon them and they withered, and a whirlwind will sweep them away like stubble.
BrentonFor they shall not plant, neither shall they sow, neither shall their root be fixed in the ground: he has blown upon them, and they are withered, and a storm shall carry them away like sticks.
GreekΟὐ γὰρ μὴ φυτεύσωσιν, οὐδὲ μὴ σπείρωσιν, οὐδὲ μὴ ῥιζωθῇ εἰς τὴν γῆν ἡ ῥίζα αὐτῶν· ἔπνευσεν ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἐξηράνθησαν, καὶ καταιγὶς ὡς φρύγανα λήψεται αὐτούς.
KJV—
JPS—
25
ThomsonNow therefore to whom have you likened Me; that I may be exalted? said the Holy One.
BrentonNow then to whom have ye compared me, that I may be exalted? saith the Holy One.
GreekΝῦν οὖν τίνι με ὡμοιώσατε, καὶ ὑψωθήσομαι; εἶπεν ὁ ἅγιος.
KJVTo whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
JPSTo whom then will ye liken Me, that I should be equal? Saith the Holy One.
26
ThomsonRaise your eyes upwards and take a view: who hath displayed all those? He who bringeth out His host by number can call them all by name. On the account of abundant glory, by reason of the mightiness of His power He hath in no wise escaped thy notice;
BrentonLift up your eyes on high, and see, who has displayed all these things? even he that brings forth his host by number: he shall call them all by name by means of his great glory, and by the power of his might: nothing has escaped thee.
GreekἈναβλέψατε εἰς ὕψος τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ὑμῶν, καὶ ἴδετε, τίς κατέδειξε ταῦτα πάντα; ὁ ἐκφέρων κατʼ ἀριθμὸν τὸν κόσμον αὐτοῦ, πάντας ἐπʼ ὀνόματι καλέσει ἀπὸ πολλῆς δόξης, καὶ ἐν κράτει ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ· οὐδέν σε ἔλαθε.
KJVLift 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.
JPSLift up your eyes on high, And see: who hath created these? He that bringeth out their host by number, He calleth them all by name; By the greatness of His might, and for that He is strong in power, Not one faileth.
27
Thomsonwherefore, thou, Jacob, shouldst not say (yet what hast thou, O Israel, spoken?), My way is hidden from God and, My God hath put off my cause and is gone.
BrentonFor say not thou, O Jacob, and why hast thou spoken, Israel, saying, My way is hid from God, and my God has taken away my judgment, and has departed?
GreekΜὴ γὰρ εἴπῃς Ἰακὼβ, καὶ τί ἐλάλησας Ἰσραήλ; ἀπεκρύβη ἡ ὁδός μου ἀπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ὁ Θεός μου τὴν κρίσιν ἀφεῖλε, καὶ ἀπέστη.
KJVWhy sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?
JPSWhy sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel: ‘My way is hid from the LORD, and my right is passed over from my God’?
28
ThomsonHast thou then not known? Hast thou not heard? The everlasting God, the God who fitted up the ends of the earth, cannot hunger, nor can He be weary; nor can His understanding be searched out.
BrentonAnd now, hast thou not known? hast thou not heard? the eternal God, the God that formed the ends of the earth, shall not hunger, nor be weary, and there is no searching of his understanding.
GreekΚαὶ νῦν οὐκ ἔγνως; εἰ μὴ ἤκουσας; Θεὸς αἰώνιος, ὁ Θεὸς ὁ κατασκευάσας τὰ ἄκρα τῆς γῆς· οὐ πεινάσει, οὐδὲ κοπιάσει, οὐδὲ ἔστιν ἐξεύρεσις τῆς φρονήσεως αὐτοῦ,
KJVHast 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.
JPSHast 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? His discernment is past searching out.
29
ThomsonHe it is Who giveth strength to the hungry and grief to them who have not had sorrow.
BrentonHe gives strength to the hungry, and sorrow to them that are not suffering.
Greekδιδοὺς τοῖς πεινῶσιν ἰσχὺν, καὶ τοῖς μὴ ὀδυνωμένοις λύπην.
KJV—
JPS—
30
ThomsonFor youths will hunger and young men be weary, and chosen warriors will become strengthless;
BrentonFor the young men shall hunger, and the youths shall be weary, and the choice men shall be powerless:
GreekΠεινάσουσι γὰρ νεώτεροι, καὶ κοπιάσουσι νεανίσκοι, καὶ ἐκλεκτοὶ ἀνίσχυες ἔσονται.
KJVEven the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
JPSEven the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall;
31
Thomsonbut they who wait upon God shall have new strength; they shall put forth fresh feathers like eagles; they shall run and not be wearied; they shall march on and shall not faint.
Brentonbut they that wait on God shall renew their strength; they shall put forth new feathers like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not hunger.
GreekΟἱ δὲ ὑπομένοντες τὸν Θεὸν, ἀλλάξουσιν ἰσχὺν, πτεροφυήσουσιν ὡς ἀετοὶ, δραμοῦνται καὶ οὐ κοπιάσουσι, βαδιοῦνται καὶ οὐ πεινάσουσιν.
KJVBut 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.
JPSBut they that wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run, and not be weary; They shall walk, and not faint.