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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 40 NIV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/isaiah/40.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/isaiah/40-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">NIV</a> > Isaiah 40</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../isaiah/39.htm" title="Isaiah 39">◄</a> Isaiah 40 <a href="../isaiah/41.htm" title="Isaiah 41">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New International Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/niv/esv/isaiah/40.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="sectionhead">Comfort for God’s People</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Comfort, comfort my people,</p><p class="line2">says your God.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,</p><p class="line2">and proclaim to her</p><p class="line1">that her hard service has been completed,</p><p class="line2">that her sin has been paid for,</p><p class="line1">that she has received from the <span class="name">Lord</span>’s hand</p><p class="line2">double for all her sins.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>A voice of one calling:</p><p class="line1">“In the wilderness prepare</p><p class="line2">the way for the <span class="name">Lord</span> <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Or A voice of one calling in the wilderness: ''Prepare the way for the LORD">a</a></sup></span> ;</p><p class="line1">make straight in the desert</p><p class="line2">a highway for our God. <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Hebrew; Septuagint make straight the paths of our God">b</a></sup></span> </p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Every valley shall be raised up,</p><p class="line2">every mountain and hill made low;</p><p class="line1">the rough ground shall become level,</p><p class="line2">the rugged places a plain.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>And the glory of the <span class="name">Lord</span> will be revealed,</p><p class="line2">and all people will see it together.</p><p class="attribution">For the mouth of the <span class="name">Lord</span> has spoken.”</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>A voice says, “Cry out.”</p><p class="line2">And I said, “What shall I cry?”</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line1">“All people are like grass,</p><p class="line2">and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>The grass withers and the flowers fall,</p><p class="line2">because the breath of the <span class="name">Lord</span> blows on them.</p><p class="line2">Surely the people are grass.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>The grass withers and the flowers fall,</p><p class="line2">but the word of our God endures forever.”</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>You who bring good news to Zion,</p><p class="line2">go up on a high mountain.</p><p class="line1">You who bring good news to Jerusalem, <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Or Zion, bringer of good news, go up on a high mountain. Jerusalem, bringer of good news">c</a></sup></span> </p><p class="line2">lift up your voice with a shout,</p><p class="line1">lift it up, do not be afraid;</p><p class="line2">say to the towns of Judah,</p><p class="line2">“Here is your God!”</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>See, the Sovereign <span class="name">Lord</span> comes with power,</p><p class="line2">and he rules with a mighty arm.</p><p class="line1">See, his reward is with him,</p><p class="line2">and his recompense accompanies him.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>He tends his flock like a shepherd:</p><p class="line2">He gathers the lambs in his arms</p><p class="line1">and carries them close to his heart;</p><p class="line2">he gently leads those that have young.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,</p><p class="line2">or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?</p><p class="line1">Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,</p><p class="line2">or weighed the mountains on the scales</p><p class="line2">and the hills in a balance?</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Who can fathom the Spirit <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Or mind">d</a></sup></span> of the <span class="name">Lord</span>,</p><p class="line2">or instruct the <span class="name">Lord</span> as his counselor?</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Whom did the <span class="name">Lord</span> consult to enlighten him,</p><p class="line2">and who taught him the right way?</p><p class="line1">Who was it that taught him knowledge,</p><p class="line2">or showed him the path of understanding?</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;</p><p class="line2">they are regarded as dust on the scales;</p><p class="line2">he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,</p><p class="line2">nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Before him all the nations are as nothing;</p><p class="line2">they are regarded by him as worthless</p><p class="line2">and less than nothing.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>With whom, then, will you compare God?</p><p class="line2">To what image will you liken him?</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>As for an idol, a metalworker casts it,</p><p class="line2">and a goldsmith overlays it with gold</p><p class="line2">and fashions silver chains for it.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>A person too poor to present such an offering</p><p class="line2">selects wood that will not rot;</p><p class="line1">they look for a skilled worker</p><p class="line2">to set up an idol that will not topple.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>Do you not know?</p><p class="line2">Have you not heard?</p><p class="line1">Has it not been told you from the beginning?</p><p class="line2">Have you not understood since the earth was founded?</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,</p><p class="line2">and its people are like grasshoppers.</p><p class="line1">He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,</p><p class="line2">and spreads them out like a tent to live in.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>He brings princes to naught</p><p class="line2">and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>No sooner are they planted,</p><p class="line2">no sooner are they sown,</p><p class="line2">no sooner do they take root in the ground,</p><p class="line1">than he blows on them and they wither,</p><p class="line2">and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>“To whom will you compare me?</p><p class="line2">Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:</p><p class="line2">Who created all these?</p><p class="line1">He who brings out the starry host one by one</p><p class="line2">and calls forth each of them by name.</p><p class="line1">Because of his great power and mighty strength,</p><p class="line2">not one of them is missing.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Why do you complain, Jacob?</p><p class="line2">Why do you say, Israel,</p><p class="line1">“My way is hidden from the <span class="name">Lord</span>;</p><p class="line2">my cause is disregarded by my God”?</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>Do you not know?</p><p class="line2">Have you not heard?</p><p class="line1">The <span class="name">Lord</span> is the everlasting God,</p><p class="line2">the Creator of the ends of the earth.</p><p class="line1">He will not grow tired or weary,</p><p class="line2">and his understanding no one can fathom.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>He gives strength to the weary</p><p class="line2">and increases the power of the weak.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>Even youths grow tired and weary,</p><p class="line2">and young men stumble and fall;</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>but those who hope in the <span class="name">Lord</span></p><p class="line2">will renew their strength.</p><p class="line1">They will soar on wings like eagles;</p><p class="line2">they will run and not grow weary,</p><p class="line2">they will walk and not be faint.</p></div><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="footnotes"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">a</span> <span class="fnverse">3</span> <span class="footnotebot">Or <i>A voice of one calling in the wilderness:<br />     “Prepare the way for the <span class="name">Lord</span></i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">b</span> <span class="fnverse">3</span> <span class="footnotebot">Hebrew; Septuagint <i>make straight the paths of our God</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">c</span> <span class="fnverse">9</span> <span class="footnotebot">Or <i>Zion, bringer of good news,<br />     go up on a high mountain.<br />     Jerusalem, bringer of good news</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">d</span> <span class="fnverse">13</span> <span class="footnotebot">Or <i>mind</i></span><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center"><p class="ntext"><a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/version.htm">New International Version</a> (NIV)</p><p class="ntext2">Holy Bible, New International Version&reg, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="http://biblica.com">Biblica, Inc.</a>® Used by permission. 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