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Isaiah 42:14-21
New International Version
Isaiah 42:14-21
New International Version
14 “For a long time I have kept silent,(A)
I have been quiet and held myself back.(B)
But now, like a woman in childbirth,
I cry out, I gasp and pant.(C)
15 I will lay waste(D) the mountains(E) and hills
and dry up all their vegetation;
I will turn rivers into islands
and dry up(F) the pools.
16 I will lead(G) the blind(H) by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light(I) before them
and make the rough places smooth.(J)
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake(K) them.
17 But those who trust in idols,
who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’(L)
will be turned back in utter shame.(M)
Israel Blind and Deaf
18 “Hear, you deaf;(N)
look, you blind, and see!
19 Who is blind(O) but my servant,(P)
and deaf like the messenger(Q) I send?
Who is blind like the one in covenant(R) with me,
blind like the servant of the Lord?
20 You have seen many things, but you pay no attention;
your ears are open, but you do not listen.”(S)
21 It pleased the Lord
for the sake(T) of his righteousness
to make his law(U) great and glorious.
Isaiah 42:14-21
King James Version
Isaiah 42:14-21
King James Version
14 I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
15 I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.
16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.
18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord's servant?
20 Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.
21 The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
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Isaiah 42:14-21
New King James Version
Isaiah 42:14-21
New King James Version
Promise of the Lord’s Help
14 “I have held My peace a long time,
I have been still and restrained Myself.
Now I will cry like a woman in [a]labor,
I will pant and gasp at once.
15 I will lay waste the mountains and hills,
And dry up all their vegetation;
I will make the rivers coastlands,
And I will dry up the pools.
16 I will bring the blind by a way they did not know;
I will lead them in paths they have not known.
I will make darkness light before them,
And crooked places straight.
These things I will do for them,
And not forsake them.
17 They shall be (A)turned back,
They shall be greatly ashamed,
Who trust in carved images,
Who say to the molded images,
‘You are our gods.’
18 “Hear, you deaf;
And look, you blind, that you may see.
19 (B)Who is blind but My servant,
Or deaf as My messenger whom I send?
Who is blind as he who is perfect,
And blind as the Lord’s servant?
20 Seeing many things, (C)but you do not observe;
Opening the ears, but he does not hear.”
Israel’s Obstinate Disobedience
21 The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness’ sake;
He will exalt the law and make it honorable.
Footnotes
- Isaiah 42:14 childbirth
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.