For this reason deliverance ¹  is far from us ²  and salvation does not reach us. We wait for light, ³  but see only darkness; ⁴  we wait for ⁵  a bright light, ⁶  but live ⁷  in deep darkness. ⁸ 

biblegateway Isa 59:9

Therefore justice is far from us, And righteousness does not overtake us; We hope for light, but behold, darkness, For brightness, but we walk in gloom.

Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light, but there is darkness; for brightness, but we live in the night.

That is why justice is far from us, and righteousness doesn’t reach us. We hope for light, but we walk in darkness. We hope for brightness, but we walk in gloom.

biblegateway Isa 59:9

So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.

Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not overtake us; we hope for light, and behold, darkness, and for brightness, but we walk in gloom.

bibleoremus Isa 59:9

Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us; we wait for light, and lo! there is darkness; and for brightness, but we walk in gloom.

That is why justice is far removed from us, and righteousness is out of our reach. We look for light, but all is darkness; for daybreak, but we must walk in deep gloom.

biblegateway Isa 59:9

Therefore justice is far from us, Nor does righteousness overtake us; We look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness!

Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, [but] we walk in darkness.

biblegateway Isa 59:9

For this reason deliverance ¹  is far from us ²  and salvation does not reach us. We wait for light, ³  but see only darkness; ⁴  we wait for ⁵  a bright light, ⁶  but live ⁷  in deep darkness. ⁸ 

¹ tn מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat), which refers to “justice” in the earlier verses, here refers to “justice from God,” or “vindication.” Because the people are unjust, God refuses to vindicate them before their enemies. See v. 11.

² sn The prophet speaks on behalf of the sinful nation and confesses its sins.

³ sn Light here symbolizes prosperity and blessing.

⁴ tn Heb “but, look, darkness”; NIV “but all is darkness.”

⁵ tn The words “we wait for” are supplied in the translation; the verb is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).

⁶ tn The plural noun form may indicate degree here.

⁷ tn Or “walk about”; NCV “all we have is darkness.”

⁸ tn The plural noun form may indicate degree here.