Lectionary Year B
February 23, 2003
Isaiah 43:18-25
Initial Acquaintance/Rough Translation
A. Comparing Translations
(JFC) The English Standard Version and the Revised Standard Version differ
somewhat, as these notes indicate:
18 "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. - ESV
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. - RSV
19b I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. - ESV
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. - RSV
20 The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, - ESV
The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, - RSV
22 "Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel! - ESV
"Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob, you have not wearied yourself for me, O Israel. - RSV
23b I have not burdened you with offerings, or wearied you with frankincense. - ESV
I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense. - RSV
24 You have not bought me sweet cane with money, or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. - ESV
You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. - RSV
B. Textual Criticism
(JFC) 19 For the second person plural imperfect, h'W[d'te aAlh], we are told to read with the Septuagint, h'W[d'teew. aAlh, changing it into a future verb. Seems possible if not original.
25 For yn+i[]m;l., a prepositional phrase with the first person singular, "for my sake", it is suggested to be deleted or read, j'xw yn+i[]m;l, making it both clearer and more emphatic, as some Septuagint and Latin manuscripts prefer.
C. Rough Translation
(JFC) 18 Not shall you remember former things and antiquity not shall you consider
19 Behold I am doing a new thing now it will sprout/spring up not do you perceive/recognize it furthermore I am making in the wilderness a way/path/road in the wasteland streams
20 Will honor me a living field of jackals daughters of owl/ostrich
for I am providing in the wilderness waters and streams in the wasteland to provide drink for my people my chosen (ones)
21 the people whom I am making for me/myself will proclaim of me their praise.
22 And not upon me have you called, Jacob for you have grown weary [qal, perfect] to me, Israel.
23 Not have you brought to me sheep/goat/lamb for your whole burnt offerings
and you have caused to be dishonored me and not have you made me honored [piel, perfect] not have I compelled you to labor/work with a gift/offering and not have I made weary you [hiphil, perfect] in frankincense.
24 Not have you brought to me money calamus and the choicest of your sacrifices not have you saturated [hiphil, perfect] me
indeed have you compelled me to work in my sin offering to you you have made me weary in your sinfulness/iniquities.
24 I, I have saturated wiping/blocking out your sinfulness/transgressions for the purpose of your sinfulness I shall not remember.
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