Isaiah

Prophecies about judgment and salvation, promising hope and a savior.

Chapter 66

1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

*"So says God, 'Heaven is My seat and Earth is My footrest. What is the building you made for Me, and where do I rest?'"

2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

*"I made everything, and all things have happened according to my plan," says the Lord. "But I will choose a certain person - someone who is poor in spirit and truly sorry for their sins, and who fears my words."

3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

*Killing an ox is like killing a person, sacrificing a lamb is like cutting off a dog's neck, offering an oblation is like using pig blood, and burning incense is like blessing an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own paths, and they love their disgusting actions.

4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

*I will let them have their false beliefs and fears. This is because when I called out, no one answered me or listened. Instead of doing good, they did bad things that I didn't like and chose what I didn't enjoy.

5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

*Listen to God's message, those who fear His words; Your brothers who hated you and expelled you because of His name said, "May God be glorified." But He will show up to bring you happiness, and they will be embarrassed.

6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.

*A loud sound comes from the city, a voice from the temple, God's voice that pays back those who oppose him.

7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.

*Before having labor pains, she gave birth; before experiencing pain, she had a baby boy.

8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

*Who has ever experienced this? Who has witnessed these events? Can the Earth produce offspring in a single day? Or can a nation be born instantly? Because when Zion went into labor, she gave birth to her children right away.

9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.

*"Will I start a birth but not finish it?" says the Lord. "Will I create a birth and then close the womb?" asks your God.

10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

*Celebrate with Jerusalem and be happy there! If you love her, be joyful. If you've been sad because of her, now rejoice.

11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.

*So you can drink from and feel full of comforts she provides; enjoy the richness and delight in the abundance of her glory.

12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.

*So, God says, "I will give much peace to her, like a big river, and shine on all people like a gentle stream. Then, you'll be nourished, carried by her, and gently rocked on her knees."

13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

*Just like a mother comforts her child, I will comfort you. You will find comfort in Jerusalem.

14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.

*When you witness this, your heart will be happy, and your body will grow strong like a plant. God's kindness will be shown to his followers, while his anger will be towards those who oppose him.

15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

*See, the Lord is coming with fire and powerful chariots, like a big windstorm. He will show his anger with intense rage and his punishment with burning flames.

16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.

*By fire and sword, the LORD will judge everyone, and there will be many people killed by the LORD.

17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.

*Those who cleanse themselves near a tree in the garden, eating pork and other detestable things like mice, will be destroyed, says the Lord.

18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

*I understand that you want a simpler version of this verse: "For I know what they do and think, so I will bring together all people and languages. They will come to see my greatness."

19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

*I will give a sign to the people and send those who survive to faraway lands like Tarshish, Pul, and Lud. These people use bows, and I'll also send some to Tubal and Javan, which are very far away islands that don't know about me or have seen my greatness. They will tell everyone about my glory.

20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.

*And they will bring all your family members as a gift to God from every nation on horses, chariots, litters, mules, and fast animals. They'll take them to Jerusalem, God's holy mountain, says the Lord. This is like how the children of Israel bring a clean offering into God's house.

21 And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.

*And I will choose some for priests and Levites too, says the Lord.

22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

*Just like the new heavens and earth I create will always be there, says God, your descendants and your name will also last forever.

23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

*Then it will happen that between each new month and the next, and between each Sabbath day and the next, everyone will come to worship me," says the Lord.

24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

*And they will leave, seeing the remains of those who went against me. Their worms won't die, nor will their fire go out. They will be detested by everyone.

read summary

Back to Chapters

Back to Books

* work in progress, there will be mistakes