47:11 Disaster will overtake you;
you will not know how to charm it away. 1
Destruction will fall on you;
you will not be able to appease it.
Calamity will strike you suddenly,
before you recognize it. 2
31:2 Yet he too is wise 3 and he will bring disaster;
he does not retract his decree. 4
He will attack the wicked nation, 5
and the nation that helps 6 those who commit sin. 7
3:9 The look on their faces 8 testifies to their guilt; 9
like the people of Sodom they openly boast of their sin. 10
Too bad for them! 11
For they bring disaster on themselves.
30:13 So this sin will become your downfall.
You will be like a high wall
that bulges and cracks and is ready to collapse;
it crumbles suddenly, in a flash. 12
10:3 What will you do on judgment day, 13
when destruction arrives from a distant place?
To whom will you run for help?
Where will you leave your wealth?
54:14 You will be reestablished when I vindicate you. 14
You will not experience oppression; 15
indeed, you will not be afraid.
You will not be terrified, 16
for nothing frightening 17 will come near you.
59:6 Their webs cannot be used for clothing;
they cannot cover themselves with what they make.
Their deeds are sinful;
they commit violent crimes. 18
3:11 Too bad for the wicked sinners!
For they will get exactly what they deserve. 19
64:12 In light of all this, 20 how can you still hold back, Lord?
How can you be silent and continue to humiliate us?
1 tc The Hebrew text has שַׁחְרָהּ (shakhrah), which is either a suffixed noun (“its dawning,” i.e., origin) or infinitive (“to look early for it”). Some have suggested an emendation to שַׁחֲדָהּ (shakhadah), a suffixed infinitive from שָׁחַד (shakhad, “[how] to buy it off”; see BDB 1005 s.v. שָׁחַד). This forms a nice parallel with the following couplet. The above translation is based on a different etymology of the verb in question. HALOT 1466 s.v. III שׁחר references a verbal root with these letters (שׁחד) that refers to magical activity.
2 tn Heb “you will not know”; NIV “you cannot foresee.”
3 sn This statement appears to have a sarcastic tone. The royal advisers who are advocating an alliance with Egypt think they are wise, but the Lord possesses wisdom as well and will thwart their efforts.
4 tn Heb “and he does not turn aside [i.e., “retract”] his words”; NIV “does not take back his words.”
5 tn Heb “and he will arise against the house of the wicked.”
6 sn That is, Egypt.
7 tn Heb “and against the help of the doers of sin.”
8 sn This refers to their proud, arrogant demeanor.
9 tn Heb “answers against them”; NRSV “bears witness against them.”
10 tn Heb “their sin, like Sodom, they declare, they do not conceal [it].”
11 tn Heb “woe to their soul.”
12 tn The verse reads literally, “So this sin will become for you like a breach ready to fall, bulging on a high wall, the breaking of which comes suddenly, in a flash.” Their sin produces guilt and will result in judgment. Like a wall that collapses their fall will be swift and sudden.
13 tn Heb “the day of visitation” (so KJV, ASV), that is, the day when God arrives to execute justice on the oppressors.
14 tn Heb “in righteousness [or “vindication”] you will be established.” The precise meaning of צְדָקָה (tsÿdaqah) here is uncertain. It could mean “righteousness, justice,” indicating that the city will be a center for justice. But the context focuses on deliverance, suggesting that the term means “deliverance, vindication” here.
15 tn Heb “Be far from oppression!” The imperative is used here in a rhetorical manner to express certainty and assurance. See GKC 324 §110.c.
16 tn Heb “from terror.” The rhetorical command, “be far” is understood by ellipsis here. Note the preceding context.
17 tn Heb “it,” i.e., the “terror” just mentioned.
18 tn Heb “their deeds are deeds of sin, and the work of violence [is] in their hands.”
19 tn Heb “for the work of his hands will be done to him.”
20 tn Heb “because of these”; KJV, ASV “for these things.”