Isaiah 26

1 In that day this song shall be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city. He will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks.

In that day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city. God appoints salvation for walls and bulwarks.

2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps faith may enter in.

Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter: the one which keeps faith.

3 Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee.

You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.

4 Trust ye in Jehovah forever, for in Jehovah, even Jehovah, is an everlasting rock.

Trust in the LORD forever; for in the LORD, the LORD, is an everlasting Rock.

5 For he has brought down those who dwell on high. The lofty city, he lays it low. He lays it low even to the ground. He brings it even to the dust.

For he has brought down those who dwell on high, the lofty city. He lays it low. He lays it low even to the ground. He brings it even to the dust.

6 The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.

The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor and the steps of the needy.”

7 The way of the just is uprightness. Thou who are upright directs the path of the just.

The way of the just is uprightness. You who are upright make the path of the righteous level.

8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Jehovah, we have waited for thee, to thy name. Even to thy memorial, is the desire of our soul.

Yes, in the way of your judgements, LORD, we have waited for you. Your name and your renown are the desire of our soul.

9 With my soul I have desired thee in the night. Yea, with my spirit within me I will seek thee earnestly. For when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

With my soul I have desired you in the night. Yes, with my spirit within me I will seek you earnestly; for when your judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

10 Let favor be shown to a wicked man, yet he will not learn righteousness. In the land of uprightness he will deal wrongfully, and will not behold the majesty of Jehovah.

Let favour be shown to the wicked, yet he will not learn righteousness. In the land of uprightness he will deal wrongfully, and will not see the LORD’s majesty.

11 Jehovah, thy hand is lifted up, yet they do not see. But they shall see thy zeal for the people, and be put to shame. Yea, fire shall devour thine adversaries.

LORD, your hand is lifted up, yet they don’t see; but they will see your zeal for the people and be disappointed. Yes, fire will consume your adversaries.

12 Jehovah, thou will ordain peace for us, for thou have also wrought all our works for us.

LORD, you will ordain peace for us, for you have also done all our work for us.

13 O Jehovah our God, other lords besides thee have had dominion over us, but by thee only we will make mention of thy name.

LORD our God, other lords besides you have had dominion over us, but we will only acknowledge your name.

14 Being dead, they shall not live. Being deceased, they shall not rise. Therefore thou have visited and destroyed them, and made all remembrance of them to perish.

The dead shall not live. The departed spirits shall not rise. Therefore you have visited and destroyed them, and caused all memory of them to perish.

15 Thou have increased the nation, O Jehovah, thou have increased the nation. Thou are glorified. Thou have enlarged all the borders of the land.

You have increased the nation, O LORD. You have increased the nation! You are glorified! You have enlarged all the borders of the land.

16 Jehovah, in trouble they have visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.

LORD, in trouble they have visited you. They poured out a prayer when your chastening was on them.

17 As a woman with child, who draws near the time of her delivery, is in pain and cries out in her pangs, so we have been before thee, O Jehovah.

Just as a woman with child, who draws near the time of her delivery, is in pain and cries out in her pangs, so we have been before you, LORD.

18 We have been with child. We have been in pain. We have as it were brought forth wind. We have not wrought any deliverance in the earth, nor have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

We have been with child. We have been in pain. We gave birth, it seems, only to wind. We have not worked any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

19 Thy dead shall live. My dead bodies shall arise. Awake and sing, ye who dwell in the dust, for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast forth the dead.

Your dead shall live. Their dead bodies shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust; for your dew is like the dew of herbs, and the earth will cast out the departed spirits.

20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors around thee. Hide thyself for a little moment until the indignation be passed over.

Come, my people, enter into your rooms, and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself for a little moment, until the indignation is past.

21 For, behold, Jehovah comes forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

For, behold, the LORD comes out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth also will disclose her blood, and will no longer cover her slain.