Isaías 41
Bible du Rabbinat (Zadoc Kahn)
1Iles, faites silence pour m'entendre! Que les peuples renouvellent leurs forces, qu'ils approchent et ensuite prennent la parole! Ensemble, nous allons comparaître en justice.
2Qui l'a suscité de l'Orient, celui qui appelle le droit à suivre ses pas? Qui lui livre les nations? Qui lui soumet les rois? Son glaive réduit les choses en poussière, son arc fait de tout une paille qui s'envole.
3Il les poursuit, il avance sain et sauf sur une route que ses pieds n'avaient point foulée.
4Qui a fait, qui a exécuté tout cela? Celui qui, dès le commencement, appelle les générations à l'être, moi, l'Eternel, qui suis le Premier et demeure encore avec les derniers.
5Les îles le voient et prennent peur, les confins de la terre tremblent. On se rapproche, on accourt.
6L'un prête assistance à l'autre et chacun dit à son frère: "Courage!"
7Le sculpteur encourage l'orfèvre, celui qui polit au marteau réconforte l'ouvrier qui frappe l'enclume et dit de la soudure: "C'est bien!" Puis on consolide l'idole avec des clous, pour qu'elle ne branle pas.
8Mais toi, Israël, mon serviteur, Jacob, mon élu, postérité d'Abraham qui m'aimait,
9toi que j'ai ramené comme par la main des extrémités de la terre, que j'ai rappelé de ses zones les plus lointaines, toi à qui j'ai dit: "Tu es mon serviteur, je t'ai choisi et je ne te rejette plus,"
10eh bien! Ne crains rien, car je suis avec toi; ne sois point affolé, car je suis ton Dieu. Je t'affermis, je t'assiste et te soutiens par ma droite, armée de justice.
11En vérité, ils connaîtront la honte et la confusion, tous ceux qui sont enflammés contre toi; ils seront réduits à néant, ils périront, tous ceux qui te cherchent querelle.
12Tu les chercheras et tu ne les trouveras plus les gens qui se déclarent tes adversaires; ils seront comme le néant et le vide, les gens qui te font la guerre.
13Car moi, l'Eternel, ton Dieu, je soutiens ta droite et je te dis: "Ne crains pas, je viens à ton secours."
14Ne crains rien, vermisseau de Jacob, faible reste d'Israël! C'est moi qui te prête secours, dit le Seigneur, le Saint d'Israël est ton libérateur.
15Voici, je fais de toi une herse à dents, toute neuve, et garnie de tranchants: tu fouleras les montagnes à les broyer, et les coteaux, tu les réduiras en menue paille.
16Tu les vanneras et le vent les emportera, la tempête les dispersera, tandis que toi, tu te réjouiras en l'Eternel, tu te glorifieras par le Saint d'Israël.
17Les affligés et les malheureux réclament de l'eau et n'en trouvent pas; leur langue est desséchée par la soif. Eh bien! Moi, l'Eternel, je les exaucerai; Dieu d'Israël, je ne les abandonnerai pas.
18Je ferai sourdre des rivières sur les hauteurs dénudées, des fontaines dans les vallons; du désert je ferai un lac, de la terre aride des sources d'eau jaillissantes.
19Dans le désert je ferai croître le cèdre, l'acacia, le myrte et l'olivier, dans la campagne stérile je planterai, avec le cyprès, l'orme et le buis,
20pour qu'ils voient et sachent, réfléchissent et comprennent tous ensemble que c'est la main de l'Eternel qui l'a fait, que c'est le Saint d'Israël qui en est l'auteur.
21Présentez votre cause, dit l'Eternel, produisez vos arguments, dit le Roi de Jacob.
22Qu'ils les produisent donc et qu'ils nous exposent ce qui doit arriver! Dites seulement les choses du passé dans leur réalité, pour que nous examinions et en apprenions les suites, ou faites-nous connaître les événements futurs.
23Racontez ce qui va se passer dans l'avenir, pour que nous sachions que vous êtes des dieux; agissez donc en bien ou en mal, et tous nous admirerons en regardant.
24Allons! Vous êtes néant, et votre œuvre est néant. Qui s'attache à vous est un objet d'horreur!
25Je l'ai suscité du Nord et il est venu; depuis le Levant, il proclame mon nom. II marche sur les princes comme sur de la boue, tel le potier foule l'argile.
26Qui a annoncé tout cela dès le premier jour, pour que nous sachions? Dès les temps passés, pour que nous disions: "C'est juste!" Mais nul ne l'a annoncé, nul ne l'a proclamé, personne n'a même entendu une parole de vous!
27Moi, le premier, j'ai dit à Sion: "Les voici, les voici!" Et à Jérusalem j'ai envoyé un messager de bonnes nouvelles.
28J'avais regardé pas un homme! Parmi tous ceux-là, pas un conseiller! Comment les consulter pour qu'ils donnent un avis?
29Vraiment, tous ils sont mensonge, et vaine est leur œuvre; leurs idoles ne sont que vent et néant.
Reina-Valera 1909
1ESCUCHADME, islas, y esfuércense los pueblos; alléguense, y entonces hablen: estemos juntamente á juicio.
2¿Quién despertó del oriente al justo, lo llamó para que le siguiese, entregó delante de él naciones, é hízolo enseñorear de reyes; entrególos á su espada como polvo, y á su arco como hojarascas arrebatadas?
3Siguiólos, pasó en paz por camino por donde sus pies nunca habían entrado.
4¿Quién obró é hizo esto? ¿Quién llama las generaciones desde el principio? Yo Jehová, el primero, y yo mismo con los postreros.
5Las islas vieron, y tuvieron temor; los términos de la tierra se espantaron: congregáronse, y vinieron.
6Cada cual ayudó á su cercano; y á su hermano dijo: Esfuérzate.
7El carpintero animó al platero, y el que alisa con martillo al que batía en el yunque, diciendo, Buena está la soldadura; y afirmólo con clavos, porque no se moviese.
8Mas tú, Israel, siervo mío eres; tú, Jacob, á quien yo escogí, simiente de Abraham mi amigo.
9Porque te tomé de los extremos de la tierra, y de sus principales te llamé, y te dije: Mi siervo eres tú; te escogí, y no te deseché.
10No temas, que yo soy contigo; no desmayes, que yo soy tu Dios que te esfuerzo: siempre te ayudaré, siempre te sustentaré con la diestra de mi justicia.
11He aquí que todos los que se airan contra ti, serán avergonzados y confundidos: serán como nada y perecerán, los que contienden contigo.
12Los buscarás, y no los hallarás, los que tienen contienda contigo; serán como nada, y como cosa que no es, aquellos que te hacen guerra.
13Porque yo Jehová soy tu Dios, que te ase de tu mano derecha, y te dice: No temas, yo te ayudé.
14No temas, gusano de Jacob, oh vosotros los pocos de Israel; yo te socorrí, dice Jehová, y tu Redentor el Santo de Israel.
15He aquí que yo te he puesto por trillo, trillo nuevo, lleno de dientes: trillarás montes y los molerás, y collados tornarás en tamo.
16Los aventarás, y los llevará el viento, y esparcirálos el torbellino. Tú empero te regocijarás en Jehová, te gloriarás en el Santo de Israel.
17Los afligidos y menesterosos buscan las aguas, que no hay; secóse de sed su lengua; yo Jehová los oiré, yo el Dios de Israel no los desampararé.
18En los altos abriré ríos, y fuentes en mitad de los llanos: tornaré el desierto en estanques de aguas, y en manaderos de aguas la tierra seca.
19Daré en el desierto cedros, espinos, arrayanes, y olivas; pondré en la soledad hayas, olmos, y álamos juntamente;
20Porque vean y conozcan, y adviertan y entiendan todos, que la mano de Jehová hace esto, y que el Santo de Israel lo crió.
21Alegad por vuestra causa, dice Jehová: exhibid vuestros fundamentos, dice el Rey de Jacob.
22Traigan, y anúnciennos lo que ha de venir: dígannos lo que ha pasado desde el principio, y pondremos nuestro corazón en ello: sepamos también su postrimería, y hacednos entender lo que ha de venir.
23Dadnos nuevas de lo que ha de ser después, para que sepamos que vosotros sois dioses; ó á lo menos haced bien, ó mal, para que tengamos qué contar, y juntamente nos maravillemos.
24He aquí que vosotros sois de nada, y vuestras obras de vanidad; abominación el que os escogió.
25Del norte desperté uno, y vendrá; del nacimiento del sol llamará en mi nombre: y hollará príncipes como lodo, y como pisa el barro el alfarero.
26¿Quién lo anunció desde el principio, para que sepamos; ó de tiempo atrás, y diremos: Es justo? Cierto, no hay quien anuncie, sí, no hay quien enseñe, ciertamente no hay quien oiga vuestras palabras.
27Yo soy el primero que he enseñado estas cosas á Sión, y á Jerusalem daré un portador de alegres nuevas.
28Miré, y no había ninguno; y pregunté de estas cosas, y ningún consejero hubo: preguntéles, y no respondieron palabra.
29He aquí, todos iniquidad, y las obras de ellos nada: viento y vanidad son sus vaciadizos.
King James Version
1Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.
2Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.
3He pursued them, and passed safely; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet.
4Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.
5The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came.
6They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.
7So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.
8But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
9Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
11Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.
12Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.
13For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
14Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
15Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.
16Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.
17When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
18I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
19I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:
20That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.
21Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.
22Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.
23Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.
24Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you.
25I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.
26Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words.
27The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.
28For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.
29Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.
World English Bible
1“Keep silent before me, islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come near, then let them speak. Let’s meet together for judgment.
2Who has raised up one from the east? Who called him to his feet in righteousness? He hands over nations to him and makes him rule over kings. He gives them like the dust to his sword, like the driven stubble to his bow.
3He pursues them and passes by safely, even by a way that he had not gone with his feet.
4Who has worked and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, the first, and with the last, I am he.”
5The islands have seen, and fear. The ends of the earth tremble. They approach, and come.
6Everyone helps his neighbor. They say to their brothers, “Be strong!”
7So the carpenter encourages the goldsmith. He who smooths with the hammer encourages him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good;” and he fastens it with nails, that it might not totter.
8“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham my friend,
9you whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth, and called from its corners, and said to you, ‘You are my servant. I have chosen you and have not cast you away.’
10Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
11Behold, all those who are incensed against you will be disappointed and confounded. Those who strive with you will be like nothing, and shall perish.
12You will seek them, and won’t find them, even those who contend with you. Those who war against you will be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing.
13For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I will help you.’
14Don’t be afraid, you worm Jacob, and you men of Israel. I will help you,” says the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
15Behold, I have made you into a new sharp threshing instrument with teeth. You will thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and will make the hills like chaff.
16You will winnow them, and the wind will carry them away, and the whirlwind will scatter them. You will rejoice in the LORD. You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.
17The poor and needy seek water, and there is none. Their tongue fails for thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
18I will open rivers on the bare heights, and springs in the middle of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
19I will put cedar, acacia, myrtle, and oil trees in the wilderness. I will set cypress trees, pine, and box trees together in the desert;
20that they may see, know, consider, and understand together, that the LORD’s hand has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.
21Produce your cause,” says the LORD. “Bring out your strong reasons!” says the King of Jacob.
22“Let them announce and declare to us what will happen! Declare the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or show us things to come.
23Declare the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and see it together.
24Behold, you are nothing, and your work is nothing. He who chooses you is an abomination.
25“I have raised up one from the north, and he has come, from the rising of the sun, one who calls on my name, and he shall come on rulers as on mortar, and as the potter treads clay.
26Who has declared it from the beginning, that we may know? and before, that we may say, ‘He is right’? Surely, there is no one who declares. Surely, there is no one who shows. Surely, there is no one who hears your words.
27I am the first to say to Zion, ‘Behold, look at them;’ and I will give one who brings good news to Jerusalem.
28When I look, there is no man, even among them there is no counselor who, when I ask, can answer a word.
29Behold, all of their deeds are vanity and nothing. Their molten images are wind and confusion.