Isaiah 40
1
"Comfort, yes, comfort My people!"
Says your God.
2
"Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her,
That her warfare is ended,
That her iniquity is pardoned;
a For she has received from the LORD's hand
Double for all her sins."
3
b The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
c "Prepare the way of the LORD;
d Make straight in the desert
A highway for our God.
4
Every valley shall be exalted
And every mountain and hill brought low;
e The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough places smooth;
5
The f glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
6
The voice said, "Cry out!"
And he said, "What shall I cry?"
g "All flesh is grass,
And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
7
The grass withers, the flower fades,
Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it;
Surely the people are grass.
8
The grass withers, the flower fades,
But h the word of our God stands forever."
9
O Zion,
You who bring good tidings,
Get up into the high mountain;
O Jerusalem,
You who bring good tidings,
Lift up your voice with strength,
Lift it up, be not afraid;
Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!"
10
Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand,
And i His arm shall rule for Him;
Behold, j His reward is with Him,
And His work before Him.
11
He will k feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young.
12
l Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,
Measured heaven with a span
And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure?
Weighed the mountains in scales
And the hills in a balance?
13
m Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD,
Or as His counselor has taught Him?
14
With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him,
And n taught Him in the path of justice?
Who taught Him knowledge,
And showed Him the way of understanding?
15
Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket,
And are counted as the small dust on the scales;
Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.
16
And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn,
Nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt offering.
17
All nations before Him are as o nothing,
And p they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.
18
To whom then will you q liken God?
Or what likeness will you compare to Him?
19
r The workman molds an image,
The goldsmith overspreads it with gold,
And the silversmith casts silver chains.
20
Whoever is too impoverished for such a contribution
Chooses a tree that will not rot;
He seeks for himself a skillful workman
s To prepare a carved image that will not totter.
21
t Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who u stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
And spreads them out like a v tent to dwell in.
23
He brings the w princes to nothing;
He makes the judges of the earth useless.
24
Scarcely shall they be planted,
Scarcely shall they be sown,
Scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth,
When He will also blow on them,
And they will wither,
And the whirlwind will take them away like stubble.
25
"To x whom then will you liken Me,
Or to whom shall I be equal?" says the Holy One.
26
Lift up your eyes on high,
And see who has created these things,
Who brings out their host by number;
y He calls them all by name,
By the greatness of His might
And the strength of His power;
Not one is missing.
27
z Why do you say, O Jacob,
And speak, O Israel:
"My way is hidden from the LORD,
And my just claim is passed over by my God"?
28
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
a His understanding is unsearchable.
29
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31
But those who b wait on the LORD
c Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
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Cross References
Isaiah 61:7
Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs.
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Cross References
Matthew 3:3
For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ' Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.'
Mark 1:3
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ' Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.'"
Luke 3:4 - 6
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.
John 1:23
He said: "I am 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Make straight the way of the LORD," ' as the prophet Isaiah said.
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Cross References
Malachi 3:1
Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," Says the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 4:5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
Malachi 4:6
And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.
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Cross References
Psalms 68:4
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name YAH, And rejoice before Him.
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Cross References
Isaiah 45:2
I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.
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Cross References
Isaiah 35:2
It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, The excellency of our God.
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Cross References
Job 14:2
He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.
James 1:10
But the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.
1 Peter 1:24
Because "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away.
1 Peter 1:25
But the word of the LORD endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
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Cross References
John 12:34
The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up' ? Who is this Son of Man?
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Cross References
Isaiah 59:16
He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.
Isaiah 59:18
According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay, Fury to His adversaries, Recompense to His enemies; The coastlands He will fully repay.
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Cross References
Isaiah 62:11
Indeed the LORD has proclaimed To the end of the world: "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Surely your salvation is coming; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.'
Revelation 22:12
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
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Cross References
Jeremiah 31:10
"Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, And decl...
Ezekiel 34:23
I will establish one shepherd over them, and he...
Ezekiel 34:31
You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you ...
Micah 5:4
And He shall stand and feed His flock In the st...
John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives...
John 10:14 - 16
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, an...
Hebrews 13:20
Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lor...
1 Peter 2:25
For you were like sheep going astray, but have ...
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Cross References
Proverbs 30:4
Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son's name, If you know?
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Cross References
Job 21:22
Can anyone teach God knowledge, Since He judges those on high?
Romans 11:34
"For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?"
1 Corinthians 2:16
For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
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Cross References
Job 36:22
Behold, God is exalted by His power; Who teaches like Him?
Job 36:23
Who has assigned Him His way, Or who has said, 'You have done wrong'?
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Cross References
Daniel 4:35
All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, "What have You done?
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Cross References
Psalms 62:9
Surely men of low degree are a vapor, Men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, They are altogether lighter than vapor.
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Cross References
Exodus 8:10
So he said, "Tomorrow." And he said, " Let it b...
Exodus 15:11
Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is...
1 Samuel 2:2
No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none...
Isaiah 46:5
To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal An...
Micah 7:18
Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And p...
Acts 17:29
Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, w...
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Cross References
Psalms 115:4 - 8
Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men's hands.
Isaiah 41:7
So the craftsman encouraged the goldsmith; He who smooths with the hammer inspired him who strikes the anvil, Saying, "It is ready for the soldering"; Then he fastened it with pegs, That it might not totter.
Isaiah 44:10
Who would form a god or mold an image That profits him nothing?
Habakkuk 2:18
What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it, The molded image, a teacher of lies, That the maker of its mold should trust in it, To make mute idols?
Habakkuk 2:19
Woe to him who says to wood, 'Awake!' To silent stone, 'Arise! It shall teach!' Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, Yet in it there is no breath at all.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 5:3
And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and set it in its place again.
1 Samuel 5:4
And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon's torso was left of it.
Isaiah 41:7
So the craftsman encouraged the goldsmith; He who smooths with the hammer inspired him who strikes the anvil, Saying, "It is ready for the soldering"; Then he fastened it with pegs, That it might not totter.
Isaiah 46:7
They bear it on the shoulder, they carry it And set it in its place, and it stands; From its place it shall not move. Though one cries out to it, yet it cannot answer Nor save him out of his trouble.
Jeremiah 10:3
For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
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Cross References
Psalms 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Isaiah 37:26
Did you not hear long ago How I made it, From ancient times that I formed it? Now I have brought it to pass, That you should be For crushing fortified cities into heaps of ruins.
Acts 14:17
"Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."
Romans 1:19
Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
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Cross References
Job 9:8
He alone spreads out the heavens, And treads on the waves of the sea.
Psalms 104:2
Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.
Isaiah 42:5
Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it:
Isaiah 44:24
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, And He who formed you from the womb: "I am the LORD, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself.
Jeremiah 10:12
He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.
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Cross References
Job 36:29
Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds, The thunder from His canopy?
Psalms 19:4
Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun.
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Cross References
Job 12:21
He pours contempt on princes, And disarms the mighty.
Psalms 107:40
He pours contempt on princes, And causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way.
Isaiah 34:12
They shall call its nobles to the kingdom, But none shall be there, and all its princes shall be nothing.
1 Corinthians 1:26 - 29
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 4:15
Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire.
Isaiah 40:18
To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him?
John 14:9
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
Colossians 1:15
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
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Cross References
Psalms 147:4
He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.
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Cross References
Isaiah 54:7
For a mere moment I have forsaken you, But with great mercies I will gather you.
Isaiah 54:8
With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you," Says the LORD, your Redeemer.
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Cross References
Psalms 147:5
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.
Ecclesiastes 11:5
As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
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Cross References
Isaiah 30:15
For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: "In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." But you would not.
Isaiah 49:23
Kings shall be your foster fathers, And their queens your nursing mothers; They shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth, And lick up the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD, For they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me.
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Cross References
Job 17:9
Yet the righteous will hold to his way, And he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger.
Psalms 103:5
Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
2 Corinthians 4:8 - 10
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.
2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.