depart from his house. b Prov. 16:18 3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh 1con-
proverbs 17:9 652
9 He that covereth a transgression, seeketh love: but he that repeateth a matter, separateth the 1prince. 10 A reproof entereth more into him that hath understanding, than an hundred stripes into a fool. 11 A seditious person seeketh only evil, and a cruel 1messenger shall be sent against him. 12 It is better for a man to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than 1a fool in his folly. 13 bHe that rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. 14 The beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters: therefore, or the contention be meddled with, leave off. 15 cHe that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord. 16 Wherefore is there a 1price in the hand of the fool to get wisdom, and he hath none heart? 17 A friend loveth at all times; and a 1brother is born for adversity. 18 A man destitute of understanding, 1toucheth the hand, and becometh surety for his neighbor. 19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his 1gate, seeketh destruction. 20 The froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a naughty tongue, shall fall into evil. 21 He that begetteth a fool, getteth himself sorrow, and the father of a fool can have no joy. 22 dA joyful heart causeth good health: but a sorrowful mind drieth the bones. 23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the 1bosom to wrest the ways of judgment. 24 eWisdom is in the face of him that hath understanding: but the eyes of a fool are in the 1corners of the world. 25 A foolish son is a grief unto his father, and a fheaviness to her that bare him. 26 Surely it is not good to condemn the just, nor that the princes should smite such 1for equity. 27 He that hath knowledge, spareth his words, and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
28 Even a fool, (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and he that stoppeth his lips, prudent. 18 1 For the desire thereof he will 1separate himself to seek it, and occupy himself in all wisdom. 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding: but that his heart may be 1discovered. 3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh 1contempt, and with the vile man reproach. 4 The words of a man's mouth are like deep 1waters, and the wellspring of wisdom is like a flowing river. 5 It is not good to 1accept the person of the wicked, to cause the righteous to fall in judgment. 6 A fool's lips come with strife, and his mouth calleth for stripes. 7 A fool's mouth is his own destruction, and his lips are a snare for his soul. 8 The words of a talebearer are as flatterings, and they go down into the 1bowels of the belly. 9 He also that is slothful in his work, is even the brother of him that is a great waster. 10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth 1unto it, and is exalted. 11 aThe rich man's riches are his strong city: and as an high wall in his imagination. 12 bBefore destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before glory goeth lowliness. 13 He that answereth a matter before he hear it, it is folly and shame unto him. 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity: but 1a wounded spirit, who can bear it? 15 A wise heart getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh learning. 16 A man's gift 1enlargeth him, and leadeth him before great men. 17 1He that is first in his own cause, is just: then cometh his neighbor and maketh inquiry of him. 18 The lot 1causeth contentions to cease, and
b Rom. 12:17
1 Thess. 5:15 1 Pet. 3:9
c Isa. 5:23 Prov. 24:24
d Prov. 15:13
e Eccl. 2:14
Eccl. 8:1
f Prov. 10:1
chapter 18
a Prov. 10:15
b Prov. 16:18
17:9 1 He that admonisheth the prince of his fault, maketh him his enemy. 17:11 1 By the messenger is meant such means as God useth to punish the rebels. 17:12 1 Whereby he meaneth the wicked in his rage, who hath no fear of God. 17:16 1 What availeth it the wicked to be rich, seeing he setteth not his mind to wisdom? 17:17 1 So that he is more than a friend, even a brother that helpeth in time of adversity. 17:18 1 Read Prov. 6:1. 17:19 1 Lifteth up himself above his degree. 17:23 1 That is, secretly and out of the bosom of the rich. 17:24 1 That is, wander to and fro, and seek not after wisdom. 17:26 1 For their well doing. 18:1 1 He that loveth wisdom, will separate himself from all impedi
ments, and give himself wholly to seek it. 18:2 1 That is, that he may talk licentiously of whatsoever cometh to mind. 18:3 1 Meaning, such one as contemneth all others. 18:4 1 Which can never be drawn empty, but bring ever profit. 18:5 1 That is, to favor him and support him. 18:8 1 They are soon believed, and enter most deeply. 18:10 1 He showeth what is the refuge of the godly against all trouble. 18:14 1 The mind can well bear the infirmity of the body, but when the spirit is wounded, it is a thing most hard to sustain. 18:16 1 Getteth him liberty to speak, and favor of them that are most in estimation. 18:17 1 He that speaketh first, is best heard of the wicked judge, but when his adversary inquireth out the matter, it turneth to his shame. 18:18 1 If a controversy cannot otherwise be decided, it is best to cast lots to know whose the thing shall be.
653 proverbs 20:1
2maketh a partition among the mighty. 19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and their contentions are like the 1bar of a palace. 20 With the fruit of a man's mouth shall his belly be satisfied, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that 1love it, shall eat the fruit thereof. 22 He that findeth a 1wife, findeth a good thing, and receiveth favor of the Lord. 23 The poor speaketh with prayers: but the rich answereth roughly. 24 A man that hath friends, ought to show himself friendly: for a friend is nearer 1than a brother. 19 1 Better ais the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that abuseth his lips, and is a fool. 2 For without knowledge the mind is not good, and he that hasteth with his feet, sinneth. 3 The foolishness of a man perverteth his way, and his heart fretteth against the Lord. 4 Riches gather many friends: but the poor is separated from his neighbor. 5 bA false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall not escape. 6 Many reverence the face of the prince, and every man is friend to him that giveth gifts. 7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more will his friends depart far from him? though he be instant 1with words, yet they will not. 8 He that possesseth understanding, 1loveth his own soul, and keepeth wisdom to find goodness. 9 A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall perish. 10 1Pleasure is not comely for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes. 11 The discretion of man deferreth his anger: and his glory is 1to pass by an offence. 12 cThe king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion: but his favor is like the dew upon the grass.
13 dA foolish son is the calamity of his father, eand the contentions of a wife are like a continual 1dropping. 14 House and riches are the inheritance of the fathers: but a fprudent wife cometh of the Lord. 15 Slothfulness causeth to fall asleep, and a deceitful person shall be affamished. 16 He that keepeth the commandment, keepeth his own soul: but he that despiseth his ways, shall die. 17 He that hath mercy upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord: and the Lord will recompense him that which he hath given. 18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his murmuring. 19 A man of much anger shall suffer punishment, and though thou 1deliver him, yet will his anger come again. 20 Hear counsel and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. 21 Many devices are in a 1man's heart: but the counsel of the Lord shall stand. 22 That that is to be desired of a man, is his 1goodness, and a poor man is better than a liar. 23 The fear of the Lord leadeth to life: and he that is filled therewith, shall continue, and shall not be visited with evil. 24 gThe slothful hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not put it to his mouth again. 25 hSmite a scorner, and the 1foolish will beware: and reprove the prudent, and he will understand knowledge. 26 He that destroyeth his father, or chaseth away his mother, is a lewd and shameful child. 27 My son, hear no more the instruction, that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. 28 A wicked witness mocketh at judgment, and the mouth of the wicked 1swalloweth up iniquity. 29 But judgments are prepared for the scorners, and stripes for the back of the fools. 20 1 Wine 1is a mocker, and strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby,
chapter 19
a Prov. 28:6
b Deut. 19:19
Dan. 13:62
c Prov. 20:2
d Prov. 17:21
e Prov. 21:9
f Prov. 18:22
g Prov. 26:15
h Prov. 21:11
2 Appeaseth their controversy, which are so stout that cannot oth erwise be pacified. 18:19 1 Which for the strength thereof will not bow nor yield. 18:21 1 By the using of the tongue well or evil, cometh the fruit thereof either good or bad. 18:22 1 He that is joined with a virtuous woman in marriage, is blessed of the Lord, as Prov. 19:14. 18:24 1 That is, ofttimes such are found which are more ready to do pleasure, than he that is more bound by duty. 19:7 1 To have comfort of them. 19:8 1 He that is upright in judgment findeth favor of God. 19:10 1 The free use of things are not to be permitted to him that cannot use them aright. 19:11 1 That is, to cover it by charity, and to do therein as may most
serve to God's glory. 19:13 1 As rain that droppeth and rotteth the house. 19:19 1 Though for a time he give place to counsel, yet soon after will he give place to his raging affections. 19:21 1 Man's device shall not have success, except God govern it, whose purpose is unchangeable. 19:22 1 That is, that he be honest: for the poor man that is honest, is to be esteemed above the rich which is not virtuous. 19:25 1 That is, the simple and ignorant men learn, when they see the wicked punished. 19:28 1 Taketh a pleasure and delight therein, as gluttons and drunk ards in delicate meats and drinks. 20:1 1 By wine here is meant him that is given to wine, and so by strong drink.
proverbs 20:2 654
is not wise. 2 aThe fear of the King is like the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him unto anger 1sinneth against his own soul. 3 It is a man's honor to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. 4 The slothful will not plow, because of winter: therefore shall he beg in summer, but have nothing. 5 The counsel in the heart of 1man is like deep waters: but a man that hath understanding, will draw it out. 6 Many men will boast every one of his own goodness: but who can find a faithful man? 7 He that walketh in his integrity, is just, and blessed shall his children be after him. 8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment, 1chaseth away all evil with his eyes. 9 bWho can say, I have made mine heart clean, I am clean from my sin? 10 Divers 1weights, and divers measures, both 2these are even abomination unto the Lord. 11 A child also is known by his doings, whether his word be pure and right. 12 The Lord hath made both these, even the ear to hear, and the eye to see. 13 Love not sleep, lest thou come unto poverty: open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. 14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone apart, he boasteth. 15 There is gold, and a multitude of precious stones: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 16 cTake his 1garment, that is surety for a stranger, and a pledge of him for the stranger. 17 The bread of deceit is sweet to a man: but afterward his mouth shall be filled with gravel. 18 Establish thy thoughts by counsel; and by counsel make war. 19 He that goeth about as a slanderer, discovereth
light shall be put out in obscure darkness. 21 An heritage is hastily gotten at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed. 22 Say not thou, fI will recompense evil, but wait upon the Lord, and he shall save thee. 23 gDiverse weights are an abomination unto the Lord, and deceitful balances are not good. 24 hThe steps of man are ruled by the Lord: how can a man then understand his own way? 25 It is a destruction for a man to 1devour that which is sanctified, and after the vows to inquire. 26 A wise King scattereth the wicked, and causeth the 1wheel to turn over them. 27 The 1light of the Lord is the breath of man, and searcheth all the bowels of the belly. 28 iMercy and truth preserve the king: for his throne shall be established with mercy. 29 The beauty of young men is their strength, and the glory of the aged is the gray head. 30 1The blueness of the wound serveth to purge the evil, and the stripes within the bowels of the belly. 21 1 The 1King's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of waters: he turneth it whithersoever it pleaseth him. 2 Every away of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts. 3 bTo do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. 4 A haughty look, and a proud heart which is the 1,2light of the wicked, is sin. 5 The thoughts of the diligent do surely bring abundance; but 1whosoever is hasty, cometh surely to poverty. 6 cThe gathering of treasures by a deceitful tongue, is vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. 7 The 1robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; for they have refused to execute judgment. 8 The way of some is perverted and strange, but of the pure man, his work is right. 9 dIt is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, than with a contentious woman in a 1wide house.
chapter 20
a Prov. 19:12
b 1 Kings 8:46
2 Chron. 6:36 Eccl. 7:22 1 John 1:8
c Prov. 27:13
d Prov. 11:13
e Exod. 21:17
Lev. 20:9 Matt. 15:4
f Deut. 32:35
Prov. 17:13 Prov. 24:29 Rom. 12:17 1 Thess. 5:15 1 Pet. 3:9
g Prov. 11:1
Prov. 20:10
h Jer. 10:13
i Prov. 19:14
chapter 21
a Prov. 16:2
b Mic. 6:8
c Prov. 13:11
d Prov. 19:13
Prov. 25:24
dsecrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. 20 eHe that curseth his father or his mother, his
20:2 1 Putteth his life in danger. 20:5 1 It is hard to find out: for it is as deep waters, whose bottom cannot be found: yet the wise man will know a man either by his words or manners. 20:8 1 Where righteous judgment is executed, there sin ceaseth, and vice dare not appear. 20:10 1 Hebrew, stone and stone, ephah and ephah. 2 Read Prov. 16:11. 20:16 1 Teach him wit, that he cast not himself rashly into danger. 20:25 1 That is, to apply it, or take it to his own use, which was appointed to God's, and then inquire how they may be exempted from the fault. 20:26 1 Which was a kind of punishment then used. 20:27 1 The word of God giveth life unto man, and causeth us to see
and try the secret of our dark hearts, Heb. 4:12. 20:30 1 Sharp punishment that pierceth even the inward parts, is profitable for the wicked, to bring them to amendment. 21:1 1 Though Kings seem to have all things at commandment, yet are they not able to bring their own purposes to pass any otherwise than God hath appointed: much less are the inferiors able. 21:4 1 Or, plowing. 2 That is, the thing whereby he is guided or which he bringeth forth as the fruit of his work. 21:5 1 He that goeth rashly about his business, and without counsel. 21:7 1 He meaneth this chiefly of Judges, and Princes which leave that vocation, whereunto God hath called them, and powle their subjects to maintain their lusts. 21:9 1 Or, in a great family.
655 proverbs 22:16
10 The soul of the wicked wisheth evil, and his neighbor hath no favor in his eyes. 11 1When the scorner is punished, the foolish is wise, and when one instructeth the wise, he will receive knowledge. 12 The righteous 1teacheth the house of the wicked; but God overthroweth the wicked for their evil. 13 He that stoppeth his ear at the crying of the poor, he shall also cry and not be heard. 14 A 1gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a gift in the bosom, great wrath. 15 It is joy to the just to do judgment; but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 16 A man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom, shall remain in the congregation of the dead. 17 He that loveth pastime, shall be a poor man; and he that loveth wine and oil, shall not be rich. 18 The 1wicked shall be a ransom for the just, and the transgressor for the righteous. 19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman. 20 In the house of the wise is a pleasant treasure and 1oil; but a foolish man devoureth it. 21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy, shall find life, righteousness and glory. 22 A 1wise man goeth up into the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. 23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from afflictions. 24 Proud, haughty, and scornful is his name that worketh in his arrogancy wrath. 25 The desire of the slothful 1slayeth him; for his hands refuse to work. 26 He coveteth evermore greedily: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. 27 The esacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? 28 fA false witness shall perish: but he that heareth, 1speaketh continually. 29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but the just,
he will direct his way. 30 There is no wisdom, neither understanding, nor counsel against the Lord. 31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but salvation is of the Lord. 22 1 aA good name is to be chosen above great riches, and 1loving favor is above silver and above gold. 2 bThe rich and poor 1meet together, the Lord is the maker of them all. 3 cA prudent man 1seeth the plague, and hideth himself: but the foolish go on still, and are punished. 4 The reward of humility, and the fear of God is riches, and glory, and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: but he that regardeth his soul, will depart far from them. 6 Teach a child 1in the trade of his way, and when he is old he shall not depart from it. 7 The rich ruleth the poor, and the borrower is servant to the man that lendeth. 8 He that soweth iniquity, shall reap affliction, and the 1rod of his anger shall fail. 9 He that hath a good 1eye, he shall be blessed: for he giveth of his bread unto the poor. 10 Cast out the scorner, and strife shall go out: so contention and reproach shall cease. 11 He that loveth pureness of heart for the grace of his lips, the 1king shall be his friend. 12 The eyes of the Lord preserve 1knowledge: but he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. 13 The slothful man saith, 1A lion is without, I shall be slain in the street. 14 The mouth of strange women is as a deep pit: he with whom the Lord is angry, 1shall fall therein. 15 Foolishness is bound 1in the heart of a child: but the rod of correction shall drive it away from him. 16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase himself, and giveth unto the rich, shall surely come to poverty.
e Prov. 15:8
Isa. 1:13
f Prov. 19:5
chapter 22
a Eccl. 7:1
b Prov. 29:13
c Prov. 27:12
21:11 1 Read Prov. 19:25. 21:12 1 Though the godly admonish them both by words and exam ple of life, yet the wicked will not amend, till God destroy them. 21:14 1 To do a pleasure to the angry man pacifieth him. 21:18 1 God shall cause that to fall on their own heads, which they intended against the just by delivering the just, and putting the wicked in their places. 21:20 1 Meaning, abundance of all things. 21:22 1 Wisdom overcometh strength and confidence in worldly things. 21:25 1 He thinketh to live by wishing and desiring all things, but will take no pain to get ought. 21:28 1 He may boldly testify the truth that he hath heard. 22:1 1 Which cometh by well doing. 22:2 1 Live together, and have need the one of the other.
22:3 1 That is, the punishment, which is prepared for the wicked, and fleeth [not to] God for succor. 22:6 1 Bring him up virtuously, and he shall so continue. 22:8 1 His authority, whereby he did oppress others, shall be taken from him. 22:9 1 He that is merciful and liberal. 22:11 1 He showeth that princes should use their familiarity, whose conscience is good, and their talk wise and godly. 22:12 1 Favor them that love knowledge. 22:13 1 He derideth them that invent vain excuses, because they would not do their duty. 22:14 1 So God punisheth one sin by another, when he suffereth the wicked to fall into the acquaintance of an harlot. 22:15 1 He is naturally given unto it.
proverbs 22:17 656
17 ¶ Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it shall be pleasant, if thou keep them in thy belly, and if they be directed together in thy lips. 19 That thy confidence may be in 1the Lord, I have showed thee this day: thou therefore take heed. 20 Have not I written unto thee 1three times in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might show thee the assurance of the words of truth, to answer the words of truth to them that send to thee? 22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither oppress the afflicted 1in judgment. 23 For the Lord dwill defend their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoil them. 24 Make 1no friendship with an angry man, neither go with the furious man, 25 Lest thou learn his ways, and receive destruction to thy soul. 26 Be not thou of them that 1tough the hand, nor among them that are surety for debts. 27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why causest thou that he should take thy bed from under thee? 28 Thou shalt not eremove the ancient bounds which thy fathers have made. 29 Thou seest that a diligent man in his business standeth before Kings, and standeth not before the base sort. 23 1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, 1consider diligently what is before thee, 2 1And put thy knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to the appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainty meats: 1for it is a deceivable meat. 4 Travail not too much to be rich: but cease from thy 1wisdom. 5 Wilt thou cast thine eyes upon it, which is nothing? for riches taketh her to her wings, as an Eagle, and flieth into the heaven. 6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an 1evil eye, neither desire his dainty meats. 7 For as though he thought it in his heart: so will
he say unto thee, Eat and drink: but his heart is not with thee. 8 Thou shalt vomit thy 1morsel that thou hast eaten, and thou shalt lose thy sweet words. 9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. 10 aRemove not the ancient bounds, and enter not into the fields of the fatherless. 11 For he that redeemeth them, is mighty: he will bdefend their cause against thee. 12 Apply thine heart to instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. 13 cWithhold not correction from the child: if thou smite him with the rod, he shall not die. 14 Thou shalt smite him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from 1hell. 15 My son, if thine heart be wise, mine heart shall rejoice, and I also, 16 And my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak righteous things. 17 dLet not thine heart be envious against sinners: but let it be in the fear of the Lord continually. 18 For surely there is an end, 1and thy hope shall not be cut off. 19 O thou my son, hear, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the 1way. 20 Keep not company with 1drunkards, nor with 2gluttons. 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall be poor, and the sleeper shall be clothed with rags. 22 Obey thy father that hath begotten thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. 23 Buy 1the truth, but sell it not: likewise wisdom, instruction, and understanding. 24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice, and he that begetteth a wise child, shall have joy of him. 25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice. 26 My son, give me 1thine heart, and let thine eyes delight in my ways. 27 eFor a whore is as a deep ditch, and a strange woman is as a narrow pit.
d Prov. 23:11
e Deut. 17:17
Prov. 23:10
chapter 23
a Deut. 27:17
Prov. 22:28
b Prov. 12:13
c Prov. 13:24
Prov. 19:18
d Ps. 37:1 Prov. 24:1
e Prov. 22:14
22:19 1 He showeth what the end of wisdom is: to wit, to direct us to the Lord. 22:20 1 That is, sundry times. 22:22 1 Hebrew, in the gates. 22:24 1 Have not to do with him that is not able to rule his affections: for he would hurt thee by his evil conversation. 22:26 1 Which rashly put themselves in danger for others, as Prov. 6:2. 23:1 1 Eat with sobriety. 23:2 1 Bridle thine appetite, as it were by force and violence. 23:3 1 For ofttimes the rich when they bid their inferiors to their tables, it is not for the love they bear them, but for their own secret purposes. 23:4 1 Bestow not the gifts that God hath given thee, to get worldly
riches. 23:6 1 That is, covetous, as contrary a good eye is taken for liberal, as Prov. 22:9. 23:8 1 He will not cease till he hath done thee some harm, and his flattering words shall come to no use. 23:14 1 That is, from destruction. 23:18 1 The prosperity of the wicked shall not continue. 23:19 1 In the observation of God's commandments. 23:20 1 Hebrew, wine-bibbers. 2 Hebrew, devourers of flesh. 23:23 1 Spare no cost for truth's sake, neither depart from it for any gain. 23:26 1 Give thyself wholly to wisdom.
657 proverbs 24:30
28 fAlso she lieth in wait as for a prey, 1and she increaseth the transgressors among men. 29 To whom is woe? to whom is sorrow? to whom is strife? to whom is murmuring? to whom are wounds without cause? and to whom is the redness of the eyes? 30 Even to them that tarry long at the wine, to them that go, 1and seek mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine, when it is red, and when it showeth his color in the cup, or goeth down pleasantly. 32 In the end thereof it will bite like a serpent, and hurt like a cockatrice. 33 Thine 1eyes shall look upon strange women, and thine heart shall speak lewd things. 34 And thou shalt be as one that sleepeth in the midst of the 1sea, and as he that sleepeth in the top of the mast. 35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, but I was not sick: they have beaten me, but I knew not, when I awoke: therefore will I 1seek it yet still. 24 1 aBe not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. 2 For their heart imagineth destruction, and their lips speak mischief. 3 Through wisdom is an house built, and with understanding it is established. 4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 5 A wise man is strong: for a man of understanding increaseth his strength. 6 bFor with counsel thou shalt enterprise thy war, and in the multitude of them that can give counsel, is health. 7 Wisdom is high to a fool: therefore he cannot open his mouth in the 1gate. 8 He that imagineth to do evil, men shall call him an author of wickedness. 9 The wicked thought of a fool is sin, and the scorner is an abomination unto men. 10 If thou be 1faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. 11 Deliver them that are drawn 1to death, and wilt thou not preserve them that are led to be slain?
12 If thou say, Behold, we knew not of it: he that pondereth the hearts, doth not he understand it? and he that keepeth thy soul, knoweth he it not? will he not also recompense every man according to his works? 13 My son, eat 1honey, for it is good, and the honey comb, for it is sweet unto thy mouth. 14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul if thou find it, and there shall be an 1end, and thine hope shall not be cut off. 15 Lay no wait, O wicked man, against the house of the righteous, and spoil not his resting place. 16 For a just man 1falleth seven times, and riseth again: but the wicked fall into mischief. 17 Be thou not glad when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart rejoice when he stumbleth, 18 Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn his wrath 1from him. 19 cFret not thyself because of the malicious, neither be envious at the wicked. 20 For there shall be none end of plagues to the evil man, dthe light of the wicked shall be put out. 21 My son, fear the Lord, and the King and meddle not with them that are seditious. 22 For their destruction shall rise suddenly, and who knoweth the ruin of them 1both? 23 Also these things pertain to the wise, It is not good 1to have respect of any person in judgment. 24 He that saith to the wicked, eThou art righteous, him shall the people curse, and the multitude shall abhor him. 25 But to them that rebuke him, shall be pleasure, and upon them shall come the blessing of goodness. 26 They shall kiss the lips of him that answereth upright words. 27 Prepare thy work without, and make ready thy things in the field, 1and after, build thine house. 28 Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause: for wilt thou deceive with thy lips? 29 fSay not, I will do to him as he hath done to me, I 1will recompense every man according to his work. 30 I passed by the field of the slothful, and by the
f Prov. 7:12
chapter 24
a Ps. 37:1 Prov. 23:17
b Prov. 20:18
c Ps. 37:1 Prov. 33:17
d Prov. 13:9
e Prov. 17:25
Isa. 5:23
f Prov. 20:22
23:28 1 She seduceth many and causeth them to offend God. 23:30 1 Which by art make wine stronger and more pleasant. 23:33 1 That is, drunkenness shall bring thee to whoredom. 23:34 1 In such great danger shalt thou be. 23:35 1 Though drunkenness make them more insensible than beasts, yet can they not refrain. 24:7 1 In the place where wisdom should be showed. 24:10 1 Man hath no trial of his strength till he be in troubles. 24:11 1 None can be excused, if he help not the innocent when he is in danger. 24:13 1 As honey is sweet and pleasant to the taste, so wisdom is
to the soul. 24:14 1 Or, reward. 24:16 1 He is subject to many perils, but God delivereth him. 24:18 1 To be avenged on thee. 24:22 1 Meaning, either of the wicked and seditious, as verse 19 and 21, or, of them that fear not God, nor obey their King. 24:23 1 Hebrew, to know the face. 24:27 1 Be sure of the means how to compass it, before thou take any enterprise in hand. 24:29 1 He showeth what is the nature of the wicked, to revenge wrong for wrong.
proverbs 24:31 658
vineyard of the man destitute of understanding. 31 And lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. 32 Then I beheld, and I considered it well: I looked upon it, and received 1instruction. 33 Yet a little sleep, 1a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. 34 So thy poverty cometh as one that traveleth by the way, and thy necessity like an armed man. 25 1 These are also parables of Solomon, which the 1men of Hezekiah King of Judah 2copied out. 2 The glory of God is to 1conceal a thing secret: but the 2King's honor is to search out a thing. 3 The heaves in height, and the earth in deepness: and the 1king's heart can no man search out. 4 Take the 1dross from the silver, and there shall proceed a vessel for the finer. 5 Take 1away the wicked from the King, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. 6 Boast not thyself before the King, and stand not in the place of great men. 7 aFor it is better, that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, than thou to be put lower in the presence of the Prince whom thine eyes have seen. 8 Go not forth hastily to strife, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy matter with thy neighbor, and discover not the secret to another, 10 Lest he that heareth it, put thee to shame, and thine infamy do not 1cease. 11 A word spoken in his place, is like apples of gold with pictures of silver. 12 He that reproveth the wise and the obedient ear, is as a golden earring, and an ornament of fine gold. 13 As the cold of the snow 1in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 A man that boasteth of false liberality, is like 1clouds and wind without rain. 15 A Prince is pacified by staying of 1anger, and a soft tongue breaketh the 2bones. 16 If thou have found honey, eat that is 1sufficient for thee, lest thou be overfull, and vomit it. 17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbor's house, lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee. 18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor, is like an hammer and a sword, and a sharp arrow. 19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble, is like a broken tooth and a sliding foot. 20 He that taketh away the garment in the cold season, is like vinegar poured upon 1,2nitre, or like him that singeth songs to an heavy heart. 21 bIf he that hateth thee be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou shalt lay 1coals upon his head, and the Lord shall recompense thee. 23 As the Northwind driveth away the rain, so doth an angry countenance the slandering tongue. 24 cIt is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, than with a contentious woman in a wide house. 25 As are the cold waters to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country. 26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked, is like a troubled well and a corrupt spring. 27 It is not good to eat much honey: so to search their own glory, is not glory. 28 A man that refraineth not his appetite, is like a city which is 1broken down and without walls. 26 1 As the snow in the Summer, and as the rain in the Harvest are not meet, so is honor unseemly for a fool. 2 As the sparrow by flying, and the swallow by flying escape, so the curse that is causeless, shall not come. 3 Unto the horse belongeth a whip, to the ass a bridle, and a rod to the fool's back.
chapter 25
a Luke 14:10
b Rom. 12:20
c Prov. 21:9
24:32 1 That I might learn by another man's fault. 24:33 1 Read Prov. 6:10. 25:1 1 Whom Hezekiah appointed for this purpose. 2 That is, gathered out of divers books of Solomon. 25:2 1 God doth not reveal the cause of his judgments to man. 2 Because the king ruleth by the revealed word of God, the cause of his doings must appear, and therefore he must use diligence in trying out of causes. 25:3 1 He showeth that it is too hard for man to attain to the reason of all the secret doings of the King, even when he is upright, and doeth his duty. 25:4 1 When vice is removed from a king, he is a meet vessel for the Lord's use. 25:5 1 It is not enough that he be pure himself: but that he put away
others that be corrupted. 25:10 1 Lest whereas thou thinkest by this means to have an end of the matter, it put thee to further trouble. 25:13 1 In the time of great heat, when men desire cold. 25:14 1 Which have an outward appearance, and are nothing within. 25:15 1 By not ministering occasion to provoke him further. 2 That is, the heart that is bent to anger, as Prov. 15:1. 25:16 1 Use moderately the pleasures of this world. 25:20 1 Which melteth it, and consumeth it. 2 Or, alum. 25:22 1 Thou shalt, as it were by force, overcome him, insomuch that his own conscience shall move him to acknowledge the benefits, and his heart shall be inflamed. 25:28 1 And so is in extreme danger.
659 proverbs 27:15
4 Answer not a fool 1according to his foolishness, lest thou also be like him. 5 Answer a fool 1according to his foolishness, lest he be wise in his own 2conceit. 6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool, is as he that cutteth off 1the feet, 2and drinketh iniquity. 7 As they that lift up the legs of the lame, so is a parable in a fool's mouth. 8 As the closing up of a precious stone in an heap of stones, so is he that giveth glory to a fool. 9 As a thorn standing 1up in the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 10 1The Excellent that formed all things, both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth the transgressors. 11 aAs a dog turneth again to his own vomit, so a fool turneth to his foolishness. 12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? 1more hope is of a fool than of him. 13 The slothful man saith, 1A lion is in the way: a lion is in the streets. 14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful man upon his bed. 15 bThe slothful hideth his hand in his bosom, and it grieveth him to put it again to his mouth. 16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that can render a reason. 17 He that passeth by and medleth with the strife that belongeth not unto him, is as one that taketh a dog by the ears. 18 As he that feigneth himself mad, casteth firebrands, arrows, and mortal things, 19 So dealeth the deceitful man with 1his friend, and saith, Am not I in sport? 20 Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth. 21 As the coal maketh burning coals, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife. 22 cThe words of a talebearer are as flatterings, and they go down into the bowels of the belly. 23 As silver dross overlaid upon a potsherd, so are burning lips, and 1an evil heart. 24 He that hateth, will counterfeit with his lips, but in his heart he layeth up deceit.
25 Though he speak favorably, believe him not: for there are 1seven abominations in his heart. 26 Hatred may be covered by deceit: but the malice thereof shall be discovered in the 1congregation. 27 dHe that diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return unto him. 28 A false tongue hateth the afflicted, and a flattering mouth causeth ruin. 27 1 Boast not thyself of 1tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. 2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth: a stranger, and not thine own lips. 3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty: but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. 4 Anger is cruel, and wrath is raging: but who can stand before 1envy? 5 Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 The wounds of a lover are faithful, and the kisses of an enemy are 1pleasant. 7 aThe person that is full, despiseth an honeycomb: but unto the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. 8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his own place. 9 As ointment and perfume rejoice the heart, so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. 10 Thine own friend and thy father's friend forsake thou not: neither enter into thy brother's 1house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbor that is near, than a brother far off. 11 My son, be wise, and rejoice mine heart, that I may answer him that reproacheth me. 12 1A prudent man seeth the plague, and hideth himself: but the foolish go on still, and are punished. 13 bTake his garment that is surety for a stranger, and a pledge of him for the stranger. 14 He that 1praiseth his friend with a loud voice, rising 2early in the morning, it shall be counted to him as a curse. 15 A ccontinual dropping in the day of rain, and a contentious woman are alike.
chapter 26
a 2 Pet. 2:22
b Prov. 19:24
c Prov. 18:8
d Eccl. 10:8
chapter 27
a Job 6:6
b Prov. 20:16
c Prov. 29:13
Prov. 21:9
26:4 1 Consent not unto him in his doings. 26:5 1 Reprove him as the matter requireth. 2 Hebrew, eyes. 26:6 1 To wit, of the messenger whom he sendeth. 2 That is, receiveth damage thereby. 26:9 1 Whereby he both hurteth himself and others. 26:10 1 Meaning, God. 26:12 1 For the fool will rather be counseled than he: also the fool sinneth of ignorance, and the other of malice. 26:13 1 Read Prov. 22:13. 26:19 1 Which dissembleth himself to be that he is not.
26:23 1 They will soon break out and utter themselves. 26:25 1 Meaning, many: he useth the number certain, for the uncertain. 26:26 1 In the assembly of the godly. 27:1 1 Delay not the time, but take occasion when it is offered. 27:4 1 For the envious are obstinate, and cannot be reconciled. 27:6 1 They are flattering, and seem friendful. 27:10 1 Trust not to any worldly help in the day of thy trouble. 27:12 1 Read Prov. 22:3. 27:14 1 Hebrew, blesseth. 2 Hastily and without cause.
proverbs 27:16 660
16 He that hideth her, hideth the wind, and she is as the oil in his right hand that uttereth itself. 17 Iron sharpeneth iron, so doth 1man sharpen the face of his friend. 18 He that keepeth the fig tree, shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth upon his master, shall come to honor. 19 As in water face answereth to face, 1so the heart of man to man. 20 The grave and destruction can never be full, so the eyes of man can never be satisfied. 21 dAs is the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold, so is every man according to his 1dignity. 22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat brayed with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. 23 Be diligent to know the state of thy flock, and take heed to the herds. 24 For riches remain not always, nor the crown from generation to generation. 25 The hay discovereth itself, and the grass appeareth, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered. 26 The 1lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. 27 And let the milk of the goats be sufficient for thy food, for the food of thy family, and for the sustenance of thy maids. 28 1 The wicked 1flee when none pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. 2 For the transgression of the land 1there are many princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge a realm likewise endureth long. 3 A poor man, if he oppress the poor, is like a raging rain that leaveth no food. 4 They that forsake the Law, praise the wicked: but they that keep the Law, set themselves against them. 5 Wicked men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord, understand all things. 6 aBetter is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that perverteth his ways, though he be rich. 7 He that keepeth the Law, is a child of understanding: but he that feedeth the gluttons, shameth his father.
8 He that increaseth his riches by usury and interest, gathereth 1them for him that will be merciful unto the poor. 9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer shall be 1abominable. 10 He that causeth the righteous to go astray by an evil way, shall fall into his own pit, and the upright shall inherit good things. 11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit: but the poor that hath understanding, can try 1him. 12 bWhen righteous men rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked come up, the man 1is tried. 13 He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that confesseth, and forsaketh them, shall have mercy. 14 Blessed is the man that 1feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart, shall fall into evil. 15 As a roaring lion, and an hungry bear, so is 1a wicked ruler over the poor people. 16 A prince destitute of understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his days. 17 A man that doeth violence against the blood of a person, shall flee unto the grave, and they shall not 1stay him. 18 He that walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is froward in his ways, shall once fall. 19 cHe that tilleth his land, shall be satisfied with bread, but he that followeth the idle, shall be filled with poverty. 20 A faithful man shall abound in blessings, and dhe that maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent. 21 To have respect of persons is not good: for that man will transgress for a piece of 1bread. 22 A man with a wicked 1eye hasteth to riches, and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him. 23 He that rebuketh a man, shall find more favor at the length, than he that flattereth with his tongue. 24 He that robbeth his father and mother, and saith, It is no transgression, is the companion of a man that destroyeth. 25 He that is of a proud heart, stirreth up strife: but he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be 1fat.
d Prov. 17:3
chapter 28
a Prov. 19:1
b Prov. 29:2
c Prov. 12:11
d Prov. 13:11
Prov. 20:21
27:17 1 One hasty man provoketh another to anger. 27:19 1 There is no difference between man and man by nature, but only the grace of God maketh the difference. 27:21 1 That is, he is either known to be ambitious, and glorious, or humble and modest. 27:26 1 This declareth the great goodness of God towards man, and the diligence that he requireth of him for the preservation of his gifts. 28:1 1 Because their own conscience accuseth them. 28:2 1 The state of the commonweal is oftentimes changed. 28:8 1 For God will take away the wicked usurer, and give his goods
to him that shall bestow them well. 28:9 1 Because it is not of faith which is grounded of God's word or Law, which the wicked contemn. 28:11 1 And judge that he is not wise. 28:12 1 He is known by his doings to be wicked. 28:14 1 Which standeth in awe of God, and is afraid to offend him. 28:15 1 For he can never be satisfied, but ever oppresseth and spoileth. 28:17 1 None shall be able to deliver him. 28:21 1 He will be abused for nothing. 28:22 1 Meaning, him that is covetous. 28:25 1 Shall have all things in abundance.
661 proverbs 30:8
19 A 1servant will not be chastised with words: though he understand, yet he will not 2answer. 20 Seest thou a man hasty in his matters? there is more hope of a fool, than of him. 21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from youth, at length he will be even as his son. 22 eAn angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. 23 fThe pride of a man shall bring him low: but the humble in spirit shall enjoy glory. 24 He that is partner with a thief, hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing and declareth it not. 25 The fear of man bringeth a 1snare: but he that trusteth in the Lord shall be exalted. 26 Many do seek the face of the ruler: but every man's 1judgment cometh from the Lord. 27 A wicked man is abomination to the just, and he that is upright in his way, is abomination to the wicked. 30 2 To humble ourselves in consideration of God's works. 5 The word of God is perfect. 11 Of the wicked and hypocrites. 15 Of things that are never satiate. 18 Of others that are wonderful.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool: but he that walketh in wisdom, shall be delivered. 27 He that giveth unto the poor, shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes, shall have many curses. 28 eWhen the wicked rise up, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase. 29 1 A man that hardeneth his neck when he is rebuked, shall suddenly be destroyed, and cannot be cured. 2 aWhen the righteous 1are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people sigh. 3 A man that loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but bhe that feedeth harlots wasteth his substance. 4 A king by judgment maintaineth the country: but a man receiving gifts, destroyeth it. 5 A man that flattereth his neighbor, 1spreadeth a net for his steps. 6 In the transgression of an evil man is his 1snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice. 7 The righteous knoweth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not knowledge. 8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath. 9 If a wise man contend with 1a foolish man, whether he be angry or laugh, there is no rest. 10 Bloody men hate him that is upright: but the just have care of his soul. 11 A fool poureth out all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterward. 12 Of a prince that hearkeneth to lies, all his servants are wicked. 13 cThe poor and the usurer meet together, and the Lord lightened both their eyes. 14 A dKing that judgeth the poor in truth, his throne shall be established forever. 15 The rod and correction give wisdom, but a child set at liberty, maketh his mother ashamed. 16 When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. 17 Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest, and will give pleasures to thy soul. 18 1Where there is no vision, the people decay: but he that keepeth the law is blessed.
e Prov. 29:2
chapter 29
a Prov. 28:12,28
b Luke 15:13
c Prov. 22:2
d Prov. 20:28
e Prov. 15:28
f Job 22:29
chapter 30
a Ps. 19:8
b Deut. 4:2 Deut. 12:32
THE WORDS OF 1AGUR THE SON OF JAKEH. 1 The prophecy which the man spake unto Ithiel, even to 1Ithiel, and Ucal. 2 Surely I am more 1foolish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man in me. 3 For I have not learned wisdom, nor attained to the knowledge of holy things. 4 Who hath ascended up to 1heaven, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fist? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the world? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? 5 aEvery word of God is pure: he is a shield to those that trust in him. 6 bPut nothing unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 7 Two 1things have I required of thee: deny me them not before I die. 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me not poverty, nor riches: feed me with food convenient for me,
29:2 1 Or, are increased. 29:5 1 He that giveth ear to the flatterer, is in danger as the bird is before the fowler. 29:6 1 He is ever ready to fall into the snare that he layeth for others. 29:9 1 He can hear no admonition in what sort soever it is spoken. 29:18 1 Where there are not faithful ministers of the word of God. 29:19 1 He that is of a servile and rebellious nature. 2 Or, regard. 29:25 1 He that feareth man more than God, falleth into a snare and is destroyed.
29:26 1 He needeth not to flatter the ruler: for what God hath appointed, that shall come to him. 30:Title 1 Who was an excellent man in virtue and knowledge in the time of Solomon. 30:1 1 Which were Agur's scholars or friends. 30:2 1 Herein he declareth his great humility, who would not attrib ute any wisdom to himself, but all unto God. 30:4 1 Meaning, to know the secrets of God, as though he would say, None. 30:7 1 He maketh this request to God.
proverbs 30:9 662
9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, 1Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor and steal, and take the Name of my God in vain. 10 Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, 1when thou hast offended. 11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. 12 There is a generation that are pure in their own conceit, and yet are not washed from their filthiness. 13 There is a generation whose eyes are haughty, and their eye lids are lifted up. 14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their chaws as knives to eat up the afflicted out of the earth, and the poor from among men. 15 The horseleech hath two 1daughters which cry, Give, give. There be three things that will not be satisfied: yea, four that say not, It is enough. 16 The grave, and the barren womb, the earth, that cannot be satisfied with water, and the fire that saith not, It is enough. 17 The eye that mocketh his father and despiseth the instruction of his mother, let the ravens 1of the valley pick it out, and the young eagles eat it. 18 There be three things hid from me: yea, four that I know not: 19 The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent upon a stone, the way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man with a maid. 20 Such is the way also of an adulterous woman: she eateth and 1wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have not committed iniquity. 21 For three things the earth is moved: yea, for four it cannot sustain itself. 22 For 1a servant when he reigneth, and a fool when he is filled with meat, 23 For the hateful woman, when she is married, and for a handmaid that is 1heir to her mistress. 24 These be four small things in the earth, yet they are 1wise, and full of wisdom. 25 The pismires a people not strong, yet prepare they their meat in summer: 26 The conies a people not mighty, yet make they
their houses in the rock: 27 The grasshopper hath no king, yet go they forth all by bands: 28 The spider taketh hold 1with her hands, and is in king's palaces. 29 There be three things that order well their going: yea, four are comely in going: 30 A lion which is strong among beasts, and turneth not at the sight of any: 31 A lusty greyhound, and a goat, and a king against whom there is no rising up. 32 If thou hast been foolish in lifting thyself up, and if thou hast thought wickedly, lay thine hand 1upon thy mouth. 33 When one churneth milk, he bringeth forth butter: and he that wringeth his nose, causeth blood to come out, so he that forceth wrath, bringeth forth strife. 31 2 He exhorteth to chastity and justice, 10 and showeth the conditions of a wise and worthy woman.
1 THE WORDS OF KING 1LEMUEL: The 2prophecy which his mother taught him. 2 What my son! and what the son of 1my womb! and what, O son of my desires! 3 Give not thy strength unto women, 1nor thy ways which is to destroy kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes 1strong drink, 5 Lest he drink and forget the decree, and change the judgment of all the children of affliction. 6 Give ye strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto them that have grief of heart. 7 Let him drink, that he may forget 1his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8 Open thy mouth for the 1dumb in the cause of all the children of destruction. 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and judge the afflicted, and the poor. 10 ¶ Who shall find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above the pearls. 11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of 1spoil.
30:9 1 Meaning, that they that put their trust in their riches, forget God, and that by too much wealth men have an occasion to the same. 30:10 1 In accusing him without cause. 30:15 1 The leech hath two forks in her tongue, which here he call eth her two daughters, whereby she sucketh the blood, and is never satiated: even so are the covetous extortioners insatiable. 30:17 1 Which haunt in the valley for carrions. 30:20 1 She hath her desires, and after counterfeiteth as though she were an honest woman. 30:22 1 These commonly abuse the state whereunto they are called. 30:23 1 Which is married to her master after the death of her mistress. 30:24 1 They contain great doctrine and wisdom. 30:28 1 If man be not able to compass these common things by his wisdom, we cannot attribute wisdom to man, but folly.
30:32 1 Make a stay, and continue not in doing evil. 31:1 1 That is, of Solomon, who was called Lemuel, that is, of God, because God had ordained him to be king over Israel. 2 The doctrine which his mother Bathsheba taught him. 31:2 1 By this often repetition of one thing, she declareth her moth erly affection. 31:3 1 Meaning, that women are the destruction of kings, if they haunt them. 31:4 1 That is, the King must not give himself to wantonness, and neglect of his office, which is to execute judgment. 31:7 1 For wine doth comfort the heart, as Ps. 104:15. 31:8 1 Defend their cause that are not able to help themselves. 31:11 1 He shall not need to use any unlawful means to gain his living.
663 proverbs 31:31
12 She will do him good, and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool and flax, and laboreth cheerfully with her hands. 14 She is like the ships of merchants: she bringeth her food from afar. 15 And she ariseth, while it is yet night: and giveth 1the portion to her household, and the 2ordinary to her maids. 16 She considereth a field, and 1getteth it: and with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She feeleth that her merchandise is good: her candle is not put out by night. 19 She putteth her hands to the wheel, and her hands handle the spindle. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor, and putteth forth her hands to the needy. 21 She feareth not the snow for her family: for all her family is clothed with 1scarlet.
22 She maketh herself carpets: fine linen and purple is her garment. 23 Her husband is known in the 1gates, when he sitteth with the Elders of the land. 24 She maketh 1sheets, and selleth them, and giveth girdles unto the merchant. 25 1Strength and honor is her clothing, and in the latter day she shall rejoice. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and the 1law of grace is in her tongue. 27 She overseeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up, and 1call her blessed: her husband also shall praise her, saying, 29 Many daughters have done virtuously: but thou surmountest them all. 30 Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vanity: but a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised. 31 Give 1her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the 2gates.
31:15 1 Or, meat, as Ps. 111:5 2 She prepareth their meat betime. 31:16 1 She purchaseth it with the gains of her travail. 31:21 1 Or, with double. 31:23 1 In the assemblies and places of judgment. 31:24 1 Or, linen cloth. 31:25 1 After that he had spoken of the apparel of the body, he now
declareth the apparel of the spirit. 31:26 1 Her tongue is as a book whereby one might learn many good things: for she delighteth to talk of the word of God. 31:28 1 That is, do her reverence. 31:31 1 Confess her diligent labors, and commend her therefore. 2 Forasmuch as the most honorable are clad in the apparel that she made.
E c c l e s i a s t e s ,
o r
T h e P r e a c h e r
1 2 All things in this world are full of vanity, and of none endurance. 13 All man's wisdom is but folly and grief.
there be a remembrance of the latter that shall be, with them that shall come after. 12 ¶ 1I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem: 13 And I have given mine heart to search and find out wisdom by all things that are done under the heaven: (this sore travail hath God given to the sons of men, 1to humble them thereby.) 14 I have considered all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity, and vexation of the spirit. 15 That which is 1crooked, can none make straight: and that which faileth, cannot be numbered. 16 I thought in mine heart, and said, Behold, I am become great, and excel in wisdom all them that have been before me in Jerusalem: and mine heart hath seen much wisdom and knowledge. 17 And I gave mine heart to know wisdom and knowledge, 1madness and foolishness: I knew also that this is a vexation of the spirit. 18 For in the multitude of wisdom is much 1grief: and he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. 2 Pleasures, sumptuous buildings, riches and possessions are but vanity. 14 The wise and the fool have both one end touching the bodily death.
1 The words of the 1Preacher, the son of David king in Jerusalem. 2 1Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher: vanity of vanities, all is vanity. 3 What remaineth unto man in all his 1travail, which he suffereth under the sun? 4 One generation passeth, and another generation succeedeth: but the earth remaineth 1forever. 5 The sun riseth, and the sun goeth down, and draweth to his place where he riseth. 6 The 1wind goeth toward the South, and compasseth toward the North: the wind goeth round about, and returneth by his circuits. 7 All the rivers go into the sea, yet the sea is not full: for the rivers go unto the place 1whence they return, and go. 8 All things are full of labor: man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 1What is it that hath been? that that shall be: and what is it that hath been done? that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there anything, whereof one may say, Behold this, it is new? it hath been already in the old time that was before us. 11 There is no memory of the former, neither shalt
1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove 1thee with joy: therefore take thou pleasure in pleas-
1:1 1 Solomon is here called a preacher, or one that assembleth the people, because he teacheth the true knowledge of God, and how men ought to pass their life in this transitory world. 1:2 1 He condemneth the opinions of all men that set felicity in any thing, but in God alone, seeing that in this world all things are as vanity and nothing. 1:3 1 Solomon doth not condemn man's labor or diligence, but showeth that there is no full contentation in any thing under the heaven, nor in any creature, forasmuch as all things are transitory. 1:4 1 One man dieth after another, and the earth remaineth longest, even to the last day, which yet is subject to corruption. 1:6 1 By the sun, wind and rivers, he showeth that the greatest labor and longest hath an end, and therefore there can be no felicity in this world. 1:7 1 The sea which compasseth all the earth, filleth the veins thereof, the which pour out springs and rivers into the sea again. 1:9 1 He speaketh of times and seasons, and things done in them,
which as they have been in times past, so come they to pass again. 1:12 1 He proveth that if any could have attained to felicity in this world by labor, and study, he chiefly should have obtained it, because he had gifts and aids of God thereunto above all others. 1:13 1 Man of nature hath a desire to know, and yet is not able to come to the perfection of knowledge, which is the punishment of sin, to humble man, and to teach him to depend only upon God. 1:15 1 Man is not able by all his diligence to cause things to go oth erwise than they do: neither can he number the faults that are com mitted, much less remedy them. 1:17 1 That is, vain things, which served unto pleasure, wherein was no commodity, but grief and trouble of conscience. 1:18 1 Wisdom and knowledge cannot be come by without great pain of body and mind: for when a man hath attained to the highest, yet is his mind never fully content: therefore in this world is no true felicity. 2:1 1 Solomon maketh this discourse with himself, as though he would try whether there were contentation in ease and pleasures.
665 Ecclesiastes 2:26
14 aFor the wise man's 1eyes are in his head, but the fool walketh in darkness: yet I know also that the same 2condition falleth to them all. 15 Then I thought in mine heart, It befalleth unto me, as it befalleth to the fool. Why therefore do I then labor to be more wise? And I said in mine heart, that this also is vanity. 16 For there shall be no remembrance of the wise, nor of the fool 1forever: for that that now is, in the days to come, shall all be forgotten. And 2how dieth the wise man, as doth the fool? 17 Therefore I hated life: for the work that is wrought under the Sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity, and vexation of the spirit. 18 I hated also all my labor, wherein I had travailed under the Sun, which I shall leave to the man that shall be after me. 19 And who knoweth whether he shall be wise or foolish? yet shall he have rule over all my labor, wherein I have travailed, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the Sun. This is also vanity. 20 Therefore I went about to make mine heart 1abhor all the labor, wherein I had travailed under the Sun. 21 For there is a man whose travail is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity: yet to a man that hath not travailed herein, shall he 1give his portion: this also is vanity, and a great grief. 22 For what hath man of all his travail and grief of his heart, wherein he hath travailed under the Sun? 23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief: his heart also taketh not rest in the night: which also is vanity. 24 There is no profit to man, but that he eat and drink, and 1delight his soul with the profit of his labor: I saw also this, that it was of the hand of God. 25 For who could eat, and who could haste to 1outward things more than I? 26 Surely to a man that is good in his sight, God giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the
ant things: and behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, Thou art mad: and of joy, What is this that thou doest? 3 I sought in mine heart 1to give myself to wine, and to lead mine heart in 2wisdom, and to take hold of folly, till I might see where is that goodness of the children of men, which they 3enjoy under the Sun, the whole number of the days of their life. 4 I have made my great works: I have built me houses: I have planted me vineyards. 5 I have made me gardens and 1orchards, and planted in them trees of all fruit. 6 I have made me cisterns of water, to water therewith the woods that grow with trees. 7 I have gotten servants and maids, and had children born in the 1house: also I had great Possession of beeves and sheep above all that were before me in Jerusalem. 8 I have gathered unto me also silver and gold, and the chief treasures of Kings and provinces: I have provided me men singers, and women singers, and the 1delights of the sons of men, as a woman 2taken captive, and women taken captives. 9 And I was great, and increased above all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom 1remained with me. 10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired, I withheld it not from them: I withdrew not mine heart from any joy: for mine heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my 1portion of all my travail. 11 Then I looked on all my works that mine hands had wrought, and on the travail that I had labored to do: and behold, all is vanity and vexation of the spirit: and there is no profit under the Sun. 12 ¶ And I turned to behold 1wisdom, and madness, and folly: (for who is the man that 2will come after the King in things, which men now have done?) 13 Then I saw that there is profit in wisdom more than in folly: as the light is more excellent than darkness.
chapter 2
a Prov. 17:24
2:3 1 Hebrew, draw my flesh to wine. 2 Albeit I gave myself to pleasures, yet I thought to keep wisdom and the fear of God in mine heart, and govern mine affairs by the same. 3 Hebrew, do. 2:5 1 Hebrew, paradises. 2:7 1 Meaning, of the servants or slaves, which he had bought: so the children born in their servitude, were the masters. 2:8 1 That is, whatsoever men take pleasure in. 2 Which were the most beautiful of them that were taken in war, as Judg. 5:30. Some understand by these words, no women, but instru ments of music. 2:9 1 For all this God did not take his gift of wisdom from me. 2:10 1 This was the fruit of all my labor, a certain pleasure mixed with care, which he calleth vanity in the next verse. 2:12 1 I bethought with myself whether it were better to follow wisdom, or mine own affections and pleasures, which he calleth
madness. 2 Or, compare with the King. 2:14 1 He forseeth things, which the fool cannot for lack of wisdom. 2 For both die and are forgotten as verse 16, or they both alike have prosperity or adversity. 2:16 1 Meaning, in this world. 2 He wondereth that men forget a wise man, being dead, as soon as they do a fool. 2:20 1 That I might seek the true felicity which is in God. 2:21 1 Among other griefs that was not the least, to leave that which he had gotten by great travail, to one that had taken no pain there fore, and whom he knew not whether he were a wise man or a fool. 2:24 1 When man hath all labored, he can get no more than food and refreshing, yet he confesseth also that this cometh of God's blessing, as Eccl. 3:13. 2:25 1 Meaning, to pleasures.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 666
sinner he giveth pain to gather, and to heap to give to him that is good before God: this also is vanity, and vexation of the spirit. 3 1 All things have their time. 14 The works of God are perfect, and cause us to fear him. 17 God shall judge both the just and unjust.
before him. 15 What is that that hath been? that is now: and that that shall be, hath now been: for God 1requireth that which is past. 16 And moreover, I have seen under the Sun the place of judgment, where was wickedness, and the place of justice, where was iniquity. 17 I thought in mine heart, God will judge the just and the wicked: for time is 1there for every purpose and for every work. 18 I considered in mine heart the state of the children of men, that God had 1purged them: yet to see too, they are in themselves as beasts. 19 For the condition of the children of men, and the condition of beasts are even as one 1condition unto them. As the one dieth, so dieth the other: for they have all one breath, and there is no excellency of man above the beast: for all is vanity. 20 All go to one place, and all was of the dust, and all shall return to the dust. 21 Who 1knoweth whether the spirit of man ascend upward, and the spirit of the beast descend downward to the earth? 22 Therefore I see that there is nothing better than that a man should 1rejoice in his affairs, because that is his portion. For who shall bring him to see what shall be after him? 4 2 The innocents are oppressed. 4 Man's labors are full of abuse and vanity. 9 Man's society is necessary. 13 A young man poor and wise, is to be preferred to an old King that is a fool.
1 To all things there is an 1appointed time, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. 2 A time to be born, and a time to die: a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted. 3 A time to slay, and a time to heal: a time to break down, and a time to build. 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh: a time to mourn, and a time to dance. 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones: a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embracing. 6 A time to seek, and a time to lose: a time to keep, and a time to cast away. 7 A time to rent, and a time to sow: a time to keep silence, and a time to speak. 8 A time to love, and a time to hate: a time of war, and a time of peace. 9 What profit hath he that worketh of the thing wherein he travaileth? 10 I have seen the travail that God hath given to the sons of men, 1to humble them thereby. 11 He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the 1world in their heart, yet cannot man find out the work that God hath wrought from the beginning even to the end. 12 I know that there is nothing good in them, but to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13 And also that every man eateth and drinketh, and seeth the commodity of all his labor. This is the 1gift of God. 14 I know that whatsoever God shall do, it shall be 1forever: to it can no man add, and from it can none diminish: for God hath done it, that they should fear
1 So 1I turned and considered all the oppressions that are wrought under the sun, and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and none comforteth them, and lo, the strength is of the hand of them that oppress them, and none comforteth them. 2 Wherefore I praised the 1dead which now are dead, above the living, which are yet alive. 3 And I count him 1better than them both, which
3:1 1 He speaketh of this diversity of time for two causes: first to declare that there is nothing in this world perpetual: next to teach us not to be grieved, if we have not all things at once according to our desires, neither enjoy them so long as we would wish. 3:10 1 Read Eccl. 1:13. 3:11 1 God hath given man a desire, and affection to seek out the things of this world, and to labor therein. 3:13 1 Read Eccl. 2:24, and these places declare that we should do all things with sobriety and in the fear of God, forasmuch as he giveth not his gifts to the intent that they should be abused. 3:14 1 That is, man shall never be able to let God's work, but as he hath determined, so it shall come to pass. 3:15 1 God only causeth that, which is past, to return. 3:17 1 Meaning, with God, howsoever man neglect his duty. 3:18 1 And made them pure in their first creation. 3:19 1 Man is not able by his reason and judgment to put differ
ence between man and beast, as touching those things whereunto both are subject: for the eye cannot judge any otherwise of a man being dead, than of a beast, which is dead: yet by the word of God and faith we easily know the diversity, as verse 21. 3:21 1 Meaning, that reason cannot comprehend that which faith believeth herein. 3:22 1 By the often repetition of this sentence, as Eccl. 2:24; 3:12, 22; 5:17 and 8:15, he declareth that man by reason can comprehend nothing better in this life, than to use the gifts of God soberly and comfortably: for to know further, is a special gift of God revealed by his Spirit. 4:1 1 He maketh here another discourse with himself concerning the tyranny of them that oppressed the poor. 4:2 1 Because they are no more subject to these oppressions. 4:3 1 He speaketh according to the judgment of the flesh, which cannot abide to feel or see troubles.
667 Ecclesiastes 5:10
hath not yet been: for he hath not seen the evil works which are wrought under the sun. 4 Also I beheld all travail, and all 1perfection of works, that this is the envy of a man against his neighbor: this also is vanity and vexation of spirit. 5 The fool foldeth his hands, and 1eateth up his own flesh. 6 Better is an handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and vexation of spirit. 7 Again I returned, and saw vanity under the sun. 8 There is one alone, and there is not a second, which hath neither son nor brother, yet is there none end of all his travail, neither can his eye be satisfied with riches: neither doth he think, For whom do I travail and defraud my soul of pleasures? this also is vanity, this is an evil travail. 9 1Two are better wages for their labor. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe unto him that is alone: for he falleth, and there is not a second to lift him up. 11 Also if two sleep together, then shall they have heat: but to one how should there be heat? 12 And if one overcome him, two shall stand against him: and a threefold 1cord is not easily broken. 13 Better is a poor and wise child, than an old and foolish King, which will no more be admonished. 14 For out of the 1prison he cometh forth to reign: when as he that is 2born in his kingdom, is made poor. 15 I beheld all the living, which walk under the Sun 1with the second child, which shall stand up in his place. 16 There is none 1end of all the people, nor of all that were before them, and they that come after, shall not rejoice in him: surely this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. 17 Take heed to thine 1foot when thou enterest into the house of God, and be more near to hear than to give the sacrifice of 2fools: for they know
not that they do evil. 5 1 Not to speak lightly, chiefly in God's matters. 9 The covetous can never have enough. 11 The laborer's sleep is sweet. 14 Man when he dieth, taketh nothing with him. 18 To live joyfully, and with a contented mind, is the gift of God.
chapter 5
a Deut. 23:21
1 Be not 1rash with thy mouth, nor let thine heart be hasty to utter a thing before God: for God is in the heavens, and thou art on the earth: therefore let thy words be 2few. 2 For as a dream cometh by the multitude of business: so the voice of a fool is in the multitude of words. 3 aWhen thou hast vowed a vow to God, defer not to pay it: for he delighteth not in fools: pay therefore that thou hast 1vowed. 4 It is better that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay it. 5 Suffer not thy mouth to make thy 1flesh to sin: neither say before the 2Angel, that this is ignorance: wherefore shall God be angry by thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands? 6 For in the multitude of dreams, and vanities are also many words: but fear thou God. 7 If in a country thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the defrauding of judgment and justice, be not astonied at the matter: for he that is 1higher than the highest, regardeth, and there be higher than they. 8 And the 1abundance of the earth is over all: the king 2also consisteth by the field that is tilled. 9 He that loveth silver, shall not be satisfied with silver, and he that loveth riches, shall be without the fruit thereof: this is also vanity. 10 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good cometh to the owners thereof, but the beholding thereof with their eyes?
4:4 1 The more perfect that the work is, the more it is envied of the wicked. 4:5 1 For idleness he is compelled to destroy himself. 4:9 1 Forasmuch as when man is alone, he can neither help himself nor others, he showeth that men ought to live in mutual society to the intent they may be profitable one to another, and that their things may increase. 4:12 1 By this proverb he declareth how necessary it is, that men should live in society. 4:14 1 That is, from a poor and base estate, or out of trouble and prison, as Joseph did, Gen. 41:14. 2 Meaning, that is born a King. 4:15 1 Which follow and flatter the King's son, or him that shall suc ceed, to enter into credit with them in hope of gain. 4:16 1 They never cease by all means to creep into favor, but when they obtain not, their greedy desires, they think themselves abused, as others have been in time past, and so care no more for him. 4:17 1 That is, with what affection thou comest to hear the word of God.
2 Meaning, of the wicked, which think to please God with com mon uses, and have neither faith nor repentance. 5:1 1 Either in vowing or in praying: meaning, that we should use all reverence to Godward. 2 He heareth thee not for thy many words' sake, or often repeti tions, but considereth thy faith and servant mind. 5:3 1 He speaketh of vows, which are approved by God's word, and serve to his glory. 5:5 1 Cause not thyself to sin by vowing rashly: as they do which make a vow to live unmarried, and such like. 2 That is, before God's messenger, when he shall examine thy doing, as though thy ignorance should be a just excuse. 5:7 1 Meaning, that God will redress these things, and therefore we must depend upon him. 5:8 1 The earth is to be preferred above all things which appertain to this life. 2 Kings and Princes cannot maintain their estate without tillage, which thing commendeth the excellency of tillage.
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soul be not 1satisfied with good things, and he be not
11 The sleep of him that travaileth, is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the 1satiety of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. 12 There is an evil sickness that I have seen under the sun: to wit, riches 1reserved to the owners thereof for their evil. 13 And these riches perish by evil travail, and he begetteth a son, and in his 1hand is nothing. 14 bAs he came forth of his mother's belly, he shall return naked to go as he came, and shall bear away nothing of his labor, which he hath caused to pass by his hand. 15 And this also is an evil sickness, that in all points as he came, so shall he go, and what profit hath he that he hath travailed for the 1wind? 16 Also all his days he eateth in 1darkness with much grief, and in his sorrow and anger. 17 Behold then, what I have seen good, that it is comely to 1eat, and to drink, and to take pleasure in all his labor, wherein he travaileth under the sun, the whole number of the days of his life, which God giveth him: for this is his portion. 18 Also to every man to whom God hath given riches and treasures, and giveth him power to eat thereof, and to take his part, and to enjoy his labor: this is the gifts of God. 19 Surely he will not much remember the days of his 1life, because God answereth to the joy of his heart. 6 The miserable estate of him to whom God hath given riches, and not the grace to use them.
b Job 1:21
1 Tim. 6:7
2buried, I say that an untimely fruit is better than he. 4 For 1he cometh into vanity, and goeth into darkness: and his name shall be covered with darkness. 5 Also he hath not seen the sun, nor known it: therefore this hath more rest than the other. 6 And if he had lived a thousand years twice told, and had seen no good, shall not all go to one place? 7 All the labor of man is for his mouth: yet the 1soul is not filled. 8 For what hath the wise man more than the fool? what hath the poor that 1knoweth how to walk before the living? 9 The 1sight of the eye is better than to walk in the lusts: this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit. 10 What is that that hath been? the name thereof is now named: and it is known that it is man: and he cannot strive with him that is 1stronger than he. 7 Divers precepts to follow that which is good, and to avoid the contrary.
chapter 7
a Job 14:2
Ps. 144:4
b Prov. 22:1
1 Surely there be many things that increase vanity, and what availeth it a man? 2 For who knoweth what is 1good for man in the life, and in the number of the days of the life of his vanity, seeing he maketh them as a ashadow? for who can show unto man what shall be after him under the sun? 3 bA good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of 1death, than the day that one is born. 4 It is better to go to the house of 1mourning, than to go to the house of feasting, because this is the end of all men: and the living shall lay it to his heart. 5 Anger is better than laughter: for by a sad look the heart is made better. 6 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning: but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 7 Better it is to hear the rebuke of a wise man, than that a man should hear the song of fools. 8 For like the noise of the 1thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
1 There is an evil, which I saw under the sun, and it is much among men: 2 A man to whom God hath given riches and treasures and honor, and he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth: but 1God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a strange man shall eat it up: this is vanity, and this is an evil sickness. 3 If a man beget an hundred children and live many years, and the days of his years be multiplied: and his
5:11 1 That is, his great abundance of riches, or the surfeiting, which cometh by his great feeding. 5:12 1 When covetous men heap up riches, which turn to their destruction. 5:13 1 He doth not enjoy his father's riches. 5:15 1 Meaning, in vain, and without profit. 5:16 1 In affliction and grief of mind. 5:17 1 Read Eccl. 3:22. 5:19 1 He will take no great thought for the pains that he hath endured in time past. 6:2 1 He showeth that it is the plague of God when the rich man hath not a liberal heart to use his riches. 6:3 1 If he can never have enough. 2 As we see oftentimes that the covetous man either falleth into crimes that deserve death, or is murdered or drowned or hangeth
himself, or such like, and so lacketh the honor of burial, which is the last office of humanity. 6:4 1 Meaning, the untimely fruit whose life did neither profit or hurt any. 6:7 1 His desire and affection. 6:8 1 That knoweth to use his goods well in the judgment of men. 6:9 1 To be content with that which God hath given, is better than to follow the desires that never can be satisfied. 6:10 1 Meaning, God who will make him to feel that he is mortal. 7:2 1 There is no state wherein man can live to have perfect quiet ness in this life. 7:3 1 He speaketh thus after the judgment of the flesh, which think eth death to be the end of all evils, or else, because that this corporal death is the entering into life everlasting. 7:4 1 Where we may see the hand of God, and learn to examine our lives. 7:8 1 Which crackle for a while and profit nothing.
669 Ecclesiastes 8:6
9 Surely oppression maketh a wise man 1mad: and the reward destroyeth the heart. 10 The 1end of a thing is better than the beginning thereof, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 11 Be not thou of an hasty spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 12 Say not thou, Why is it that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire 1wisely of this thing. 13 Wisdom is good with an 1inheritance, and excellent to them that see the sun. 14 For man shall rest in the shadow of wisdom, and in the shadow of silver: but the excellency of the knowledge of wisdom giveth life to the possessors thereof. 15 Behold the work of God; for who can make cstraight that which he hath made crooked? 16 In the day of wealth be of good comfort, and in the day of affliction 1consider: God also hath made this contrary to that, to the intent that man should find 2nothing after him. 17 I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his 1justice, and there is a wicked man that continueth long in his malice. 18 Be not thou just 1overmuch, neither make thyself overwise: wherefore shouldest thou be desolate? 19 Be not thou wicked 1overmuch, neither be thou foolish: wherefore shouldest thou perish not in thy time? 20 It is good that thou lay hold on 1this: but yet withdraw not thine hand from 2that: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all. 21 Wisdom shall strengthen the wise men more than ten mighty princes that are in the city. 22 dSurely there is no man just in the earth that doeth good and sinneth not. 23 Give not thine 1heart also to all the words that men speak, lest thou do hear thy servant cursing thee.
24 For oftentimes also thine heart knoweth that thou likewise hast 1cursed others. 25 All this have I proved by wisdom: I thought, I will be wise, but it went far from me. 26 It is far off, what may 1it be? and it is a profound deepness, who can find it? 27 I have compassed about, both I and mine heart to know and to inquire and to search wisdom, and reason, and to know the wickedness of folly, and the foolishness of madness, 28 And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is as nets and snares, and her hands as bands: he that is good before God, shall be delivered from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her. 29 Behold, saith the Preacher, this have I found, seeking one by one to 1find the count: 30 And yet my soul seeketh, but I find it not. I have found one man of a thousand: but a woman among them all have I not found. 31 Only lo, this have I found, that God hath made man righteous: but they have sought many 1inventions. 8 2 To obey Princes and Magistrates. 17 The works of God pass man's knowledge.
c Eccl. 1:15
d 1 Kings 8:36
2 Chron. 6:36 Prov. 20:9 1 John 1:8
1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? the wisdom of a man doth make his face 1to shine: and 2the strength of his face shall be changed. 2 I advertise thee to take heed to the 1mouth of the king, and to the word of the oath of God. 3 1Haste not to go forth of his sight: stand not in an evil thing: for he will do whatsoever pleaseth him. 4 Where the word of the King is, there is power, and who shall say unto him, What doest thou? 5 He that keepeth the commandment, shall know none evil thing, and the heart of the wise shall know the 1time, and judgment. 6 For to every purpose there is a time and judgment, because the 1misery of man is great upon him.
7:9 1 A man that is esteemed wise, when he falleth to oppression, becometh like a beast. 7:10 1 He noteth their lightness which enterprise a thing and sud denly leave it off again. 7:12 1 Murmur not against God when he sendeth adversities for man's sins. 7:13 1 He answereth to them that esteem not wisdom except riches be joined therewith, showing that both are the gifts of God, but that wisdom is far more excellent, and may be without riches. 7:16 1 Consider wherefore God doth send it and what may comfort thee. 2 That man should be able to control nothing in his works. 7:17 1 Meaning, that cruel tyrants put the godly to death and let the wicked go free. 7:18 1 Boast not too much of thine own justice and wisdom. 7:19 1 Tarry not long when thou art admonished to come out of the way of wickedness.
7:20 1 To wit, on these admonitions that go before. 2 Consider what desolation and destruction shall come, if thou do not obey them. 7:23 1 Credit them not, neither care for them. 7:24 1 Or, spoken evil of others. 7:26 1 Meaning, wisdom. 7:29 1 That is, to come to a conclusion. 7:31 1 And so are cause of their own destruction. 8:1 1 That is, doth get him favor and prosperity. 2 Whereas before he was proud and arrogant, he shall become humble and meek. 8:2 1 That is, that thou obey the king and keep the oath that thou hast made for the same cause. 8:3 1 Withdraw not thyself lightly from the obedience of thy prince. 8:5 1 That is, when time is to obey, and how far he should obey. 8:6 1 Man of himself is miserable, and therefore ought to do nothing to increase the same, but to work all things by wisdom and counsel.
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7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? 8 Man is not Lord 1over the spirit to retain the spirit: neither hath he power in the day of death, nor deliverance in the battle, neither shall wickedness deliver the possessors thereof. 9 All this have I seen, and have given mine heart to every work which is wrought under the sun, and I saw a time that man ruleth over man to his own 1hurt. 10 And likewise I saw the wicked buried, and 1they returned, and they that came from the holy 2place, were yet forgotten in the city, where they had done right: this also is vanity. 11 Because sentence against an evil work is not 1executed speedily, therefore the heart of the children of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and God prolongeth his days, yet I know that it shall be well with them that fear the Lord, and do reverence before him. 13 But it shall not be well to the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days: he shall be like a shadow, because he feareth not before God. 14 There is a vanity, which is done upon the earth, that there be righteous men to whom it cometh according to the 1work of the wicked: and there be wicked men to whom it cometh according to the work of the just: I thought also that this is vanity. 15 And I praised joy, for there is no goodness to man under the sun, save 1to eat and to drink and to rejoice: for this is adjoined to his labor the days of his life that God hath given him under the sun. 16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to behold the business that is done on earth, that neither day nor night the eyes of man take sleep, 17 Then I beheld the whole work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is wrought under the sun: for the which man laboreth to seek it, and cannot find it: yea, and though the wise man think to know it, he cannot find it. 9 1 By no outward thing can man know whom God loveth or hateth. 12 No man knoweth his end. 16 Wisdom
excelleth strength.
chapter 9
a Eccl. 5:18
1 I have surely given mine heart to all this, and to declare all this, that the just, and the wise, and their works are in the hand of God: and no man knoweth either love or 1hatred of all that is before them. 2 All things come alike to all: and the same condition is to the just and to the wicked, to the good and to the pure, and to the polluted, and to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner, he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. 3 This is evil among all that is done under the sun, that there is one 1condition to all, and also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that, they go to the dead. 4 Surely whosoever is joined to all the living, there is hope: for it is better to a 1living dog, than to a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they shall die, but the dead know nothing at all: neither have they anymore a reward: for their remembrance is forgotten. 6 Also their love and their hatred, and their envy is now perished, and they have no more portion forever, in all that is done under the sun. 7 Go, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a cheerful heart: for God now 1accepteth thy works. 8 At all times let thy garments be 1white, and let not oil be lacking upon thine head. 9 1,aRejoice with the wife whom thou hast loved all the days of the life of thy vanity, which God hath given thee under the sun all the days of thy vanity: for this is thy portion in the life, and in thy travail wherein thou laborest under the sun. 10 All that thine hand shall find to do, do it with all thy power: for there is neither work nor invention, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest. 11 I returned, and I saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor yet bread to the wise, nor also riches to men of understanding, neither yet favor to men of knowledge:
8:8 1 Man hath no power to save his own life, and therefore must not rashly cast himself into danger. 8:9 1 As cometh ofttimes to tyrants and wicked rulers. 8:10 1 That is, others as wicked as they. 2 They that feared God and worshipped him according as he had appointed. 8:11 1 Where justice is delayed, there sin reigneth. 8:14 1 Which are punished as though they were wicked, as Eccl. 7:17. 8:15 1 Read Eccl. 3:22. 9:1 1 Meaning, what things he ought to choose or refuse: or man knoweth not by these outward things, that is, by prosperity or adver sity, whom God doth favor or hate, for he sendeth them as well to the wicked as to the godly.
9:3 1 In outward things, as riches and poverty, sickness and health, there is no difference between the godly and the wicked: but the difference is that the godly are assured by faith of God's favor and assistance. 9:4 1 He noteth the Epicureans and carnal men, which made their belly their god, and had no pleasure, but in this life, wishing rather to be an abased and vile person in this life, than a man of authority, and so to die, which is meant by the dog and lion. 9:7 1 They flatter themselves to be in God's favor, because they have all things in abundance. 9:8 1 Rejoice, be merry, and spare for no cost, thus speak the wicked belly-gods. 9:9 1 Hebrew, regard the life.
671 Ecclesiastes 11:3
that breaketh the hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9 He that removeth stones, shall hurt himself thereby, and he that cutteth wood, shall be in danger thereby. 10 If the iron be blunt, and one hath not whet the edge, he must then put to more 1strength: but the excellency to direct a thing is wisdom. 11 If the serpent bite, when he is not charmed: no better is a babbler. 12 The words of the mouth of a wise man have grace: but the lips of a fool devour himself. 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the latter end of his mouth is wicked madness. 14 For the fool multiplieth words, saying, Man knoweth not what shall be: and who can tell him what shall be after him? 15 The labor of the foolish doth weary him: for he knoweth not to go into the 1city. 16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a 1child, and thy princes 2eat in the morning. 17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy King is the son 1of nobles, and thy princes eat in time, for strength and not for drunkenness. 18 By slothfulness the roof of the house goeth to decay, and by the idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. 19 They prepare bread for laughter, and wine comforteth the living, but silver answereth to all. 20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought, neither curse the rich in thy bed chamber: for the 1fowl of the heaven shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings, shall declare the matter. 11 1 To be liberal to the poor. 4 Not to doubt of God's providence. 8 All worldly prosperity is but vanity. 9 God will judge all.
but time and 1chance cometh to them all. 12 For neither doth man know his 1time, but as the fishes which are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare: so are the children of men snared in the evil time, when it falleth upon them suddenly. 13 I have also seen this wisdom under the sun, and it is great unto me. 14 A little city and few men in it, and a great King came against it, and compassed it about, and built forts against it. 15 And there was found therein a poor and wise man, and he delivered the city by his wisdom, but none remembered this poor man. 16 Then said I, Better is wisdom than strength: yet the wisdom of the poor is despised, and his words are not heard. 17 The words of the wise are more heard in quietness, than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. 18 Better is wisdom than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. 10 1 The difference of foolishness and wisdom. 11 A slanderer is like a serpent that cannot be charmed. 16 Of foolish kings and drunken princes, 17 And of good Kings and Princes.
chapter 10
a Ps. 7:15 Prov. 26:27
1 Dead flies cause to stink, and putrefy the ointment of the apothecary: so doth a little folly him that is in estimation for wisdom, and for glory. 2 The heart of a 1wise man is at his right hand: but the heart of a fool is at his left hand. 3 And also when the fool goeth by the way, his heart faileth, and he 1telleth unto all that he is a fool. 4 If the 1spirit of him that ruleth, rise up against thee, leave not thy place: for gentleness pacifieth great sins. 5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an 1error that proceedeth from the face of him that ruleth. 6 Folly is set in great excellency, and the 1rich sit in the low place. 7 I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the ground. 8 aHe that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it, and he
1 Cast thy bread upon the 1waters: for after many days thou shalt find it. 2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight: for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. 3 If the 1clouds be full, they will pour forth rain upon the earth: and if the 2tree do fall toward the
9:11 1 Thus the worldlings say to prove that all things are lawful for them, and attribute that to chance and fortune, which is done by the providence of God. 9:12 1 That is, he doth not foresee what shall come. 10:2 1 So that he doeth all things well and justly, where as the fool doeth the contrary. 10:3 1 By his doings he betrayeth himself. 10:4 1 If thy superior be angry with thee, be thou discrete, and not moved. 10:5 1 Meaning, that it is an evil thing when they that are in author ity, fail and do not their duty. 10:6 1 They that are rich in wisdom and virtue. 10:10 1 Without wisdom whatsoever a man taketh in hand, turneth
to his own hurt. 10:15 1 The ignorance and beastliness of the wicked is such that they know not common things, and yet will they discuss high matters. 10:16 1 That is, without wisdom and counsel. 2 Are given to their lusts, and pleasures. 10:17 1 Meaning, when he is noble for virtue and wisdom, and with the gifts of God. 10:20 1 Thou canst not work evil so secretly, but it shall be known. 11:1 1 That is, be liberal to the poor, and though it seem to be as a thing ventured on the sea, yet it shall bring thee profit. 11:3 1 As the clouds that are full, pour out rain, so the rich that have abundance, must distribute it liberally. 2 He exhorteth to be liberal while we live: for after, there is no power.
Ecclesiastes 11:4 672
South, or toward the North, in the place that the tree falleth, there it shall be. 4 He that observeth the 1wind shall not sow, and he that regardeth the clouds, shall not reap. 5 As thou knowest not which is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: so thou knowest not the work of God that worketh all. 6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening let not thine hand 1rest: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, this or 2that, or whether both shall be a like good. 7 Surely the light is a pleasant thing: and it is a good thing to the eyes to see the sun. 8 Though a man live many years, and in them all he rejoice, yet he shall remember the days of 1darkness, because they are many, all that cometh is vanity. 9 1Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thine heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth: and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know that for all these things, God will bring thee to judgment. 10 Therefore take away 1grief out of thine heart, and cause evil 2to depart from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. 12 1 To think on God in youth, and not to defer till age. 7 The soul returneth to God. 11 Wisdom is the gift of God, and consisteth in fearing him and keeping his commandments.
3 When the 1keepers of the house shall tremble, and the 2strong men shall bow themselves, and the 3grinders shall cease, because they are few, and they wax dark that 4look out by the windows: 4 And the 1doors shall be shut without by the base sound of the 2grinding, and he shall rise up at the voice of the 3bird: and all the 4daughters of singing shall be abased: 5 Also they shall be afraid of the 1high thing, and fear shall be in the 2way, and the almond tree shall 3flourish, and the 4grasshopper shall be a burden, and concupiscence shall be driven away: for man goeth to the house of his age, and the mourners go about in the street. 6 While the 1silver cord is not lengthened, nor the golden 2ewer broken, nor the 3pitcher broken at the 4well, nor the 5wheel broken at the 6cistern, 7 And dust return to the earth as it was, and the 1spirit return to God that gave it. 8 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, all is vanity. 9 And the more wise the Preacher was, the more he taught the people knowledge, and caused them to hear, and searched forth, and prepared many parables. 10 The Preacher sought to find out pleasant words, and an upright writing, even the words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails 1fastened by the masters of the assemblies, which are given by one 2pastor. 12 And of other things beside these, my son, take thou heed: for there is none end in making many 1books, and much reading is a weariness of the flesh. 13 Let us hear the end of all: fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every work unto judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil.
1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years approach, wherein thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them: 2 While the sun is not dark, nor the light, nor the moon, nor the stars, nor the 1clouds return after the rain.
11:4 1 He that feareth inconveniences, when necessity requireth, shall never do his duty. 11:6 1 Be not weary of well doing. 2 That is, which of thy works are most agreeable to God. 11:8 1 That is, of affliction and trouble. 11:9 1 He derideth them that set their delight in worldly pleasures, as though God would not call count. 11:10 1 To wit, anger, and envy. 2 Meaning, carnal lusts, whereunto youth is given. 12:2 1 Before thou come to a continual misery: for when the clouds remain after the rain, man's grief is increased. 12:3 1 The hands, which keep the body. 2 The legs. 3 The teeth. 4 The eyes. 12:4 1 The lips, or mouth. 2 When the jaws, shall scarce open, and not be able to chew anymore. 3 He shall not be able to sleep. 4 That is, the wind pipes, or the ears shall be deaf and not able to hear singing.
12:5 1 To climb high because of their weakness, or they stoop down, as though they were afraid, lest anything should hit them. 2 They shall tremble as they go, as though they were afraid. 3 Their head shall be as white as the blossoms of an almond tree. 4 They shall be able to bear nothing. 12:6 1 Meaning, the marrow of the backbone and the sinews. 2 The little skin that covereth the brain, which is in color like gold. 3 That is, the veins. 4 Meaning, the liver. 5 Which is the head. 6 That is, the heart, out of which the head draweth the powers of life. 12:7 1 The soul incontinently goeth either to joy or torment, and sleepeth not as the wicked imagine. 12:11 1 Which are well applied by the ministers, whom he calleth masters. 2 That is, by God. 12:12 1 These things cannot be comprehended in books or learned by study, but God must instruct thine heart that thou mayest only know that wisdom is the true felicity, and the way thereunto is to fear God.
A n 1E x c e l l e n t
S o n g
W h i c h w a s s o l o m o n ' s
1 1 The familiar talk and mystical communication of the spiritual love between Jesus Christ and his Church. 5 The domestical enemies that persecute the Church.
9 Thy cheeks are comely with rows of stones, and thy neck with chains. 10 We will make thee borders of gold with floods of silver. 11 1While the King was at his repast, my spikenard gave the smell thereof. 12 My well-beloved is as a bundle of myrrh unto me: he shall lie between my 1breasts. 13 My well-beloved is as a cluster of camphire unto me in the vines of En Gedi. 14 My love, behold, thou art 1fair: behold, thou art fair: thine eyes are like the doves. 15 My well-beloved, behold, thou art fair, and pleasant: also our 1bed is green. 16 The beams of our house are cedars, our rafters are of fir. 2 3 The Church desireth to rest under the shadow of Christ. 8 She heareth his voice. 14 She is compared to the dove. 15 And the enemies to the foxes.
1 Let 1him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. 2 Because of the 1savor of thy good ointments, thy name is as an ointment poured out: therefore the 2virgins love thee. 3 1Draw me: we will run after thee: the King hath brought me into his 2chambers: we will rejoice and be glad in thee: we will remember thy love more than wine: the righteous do love thee. 4 I am 1black, O daughters of Jerusalem, but comely, as the tents of 2Kedar, and as the 3curtains of Solomon. 5 Regard ye me not because I am 1black: for the 2sun hath looked upon me. The 3sons of my mother were angry against me: they made me the keeper of the vines: but I 4kept not mine own vine. 6 Show me, 1O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou liest at noon: for why should I be as she that turneth aside to the stocks of 2thy companions? 7 1If thou know not, O thou the fairest among women, get thee forth by the steps of the flock, and feed thy kids by the tents of the shepherds. 8 I have compared thee, O my love, to the troupe of horses in the 1chariots of Pharaoh.
1 I am the rose of the field, and the lily of the valleys. 2 Like a lily among the thorns, so is my 1love among the daughters. 3 1Like the apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my well-beloved among the sons of men: under his shadow had I delight, and sat down: and his fruit was sweet unto my mouth.
Title 1 Hebrew, a song of songs: so called because it is the chiefest of those 1005, which Solomon made, as is mentioned, I Kings 4:32. 1:1 1 This is spoken in the person of the Church, or of the faithful soul inflamed with the desire of Christ, whom she loveth. 1:2 1 The feeling of thy great benefits. 2 They that are pure in heart and conversation. 1:3 1 The faithful confess that they cannot come to Christ, except they be drawn. 2 Meaning, the secret joy that is not known to the world. 1:4 1 The Church confesseth her spots and sin, but hath confidence in the favor of Christ. 2 Kedar was Ishmael's son, of whom came the Arabians that dwelt in tents. 3 Which within were all set with precious stones and Jewels. 1:5 1 Consider not the Church by the outward appearance. 2 The corruption of nature through sin and afflictions. 3 Mine own brethren, which should have most favored me. 4 She confesseth her own negligence.
1:6 1 The spouse feeling her fault fleeth to her husband only for suc cor. 2 Whom thou hast called to the dignity of pastors, and they set forth their own dreams instead of thy doctrine. 1:7 1 Christ speaketh to his Church, bidding them that are ignorant, to go to the pastors to learn. 1:8 1 For thy spiritual beauty and excellency there was no worldly treasure to be compared unto thee. 1:11 1 The Church rejoiceth that she is admitted to the company of Christ. 1:12 1 He shall be most dear unto me. 1:14 1 Christ accepteth his Church, and commendeth her beauty. 1:15 1 That is, the heart of the faithful, wherein Christ dwelleth by his Spirit. 2:2 1 Thus Christ preferreth his Church above all other things. 2:3 1 The spouse testifieth her great desire toward her husband, but her strength faileth her, and therefore she desireth to be comforted, and felt it.
Solomon's Song 2:4 674
4 He brought me into the wine cellar, and love was his banner over me. 5 Stay me with flagons, and comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. 6 His left hand is under mine head, and his right hand doth embrace me. 7 1I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor waken my love, until she please. 8 1It is the voice of my well-beloved: behold, he cometh leaping by the mountains, and skipping by the hills. 9 My well-beloved is like a roe, or a young hart: lo, he 1standeth behind our wall, looking forth of the windows, showing himself through the 2grates. 10 My well-beloved spake and said unto me, Arise, my love, my fair one, and come thy way. 11 For behold, 1winter is past: the rain is changed, and is gone away. 12 The flowers appear in the earth: the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land. 13 The fig tree hath brought forth her young figs: and the vines with their small grapes have cast a savor: arise my love, my fair one, and come away. 14 My dove, that art in the 1holes of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, show me thy sight, let me hear thy voice: for thy voice is sweet, and thy sight comely. 15 Take us the foxes, the 1little foxes, which destroy the vines: for our vines have small grapes. 16 My well-beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies, 17 Until the daybreak, and the shadows flee away: return, my well-beloved, and be like a 1roe, or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. 3 1 The Church desireth to be joined inseparably to Christ her husband. 6 Her deliverance out of the wilderness.
loved: I sought him, but I found him not. 2 I will rise therefore now, and go about in the city, by the streets, and by the open places, and will 1seek him that my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. 3 The 1watchmen that went about the city, found me: to whom I said, Have you seen him whom my soul loveth? 4 When I had passed a little from them, then I found him whom my soul loved: I took hold on him, and left him not, till I had brought him unto my mother's house, into the chamber of her that conceived me. 5 1I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor waken my love until she please. 6 Who is she that cometh up out of the 1wilderness like pillars of smoke perfumed with myrrh and incense, and with all the 2spices of the merchant? 7 Behold his 1bed, which is Solomon's: threescore strong men are round about it, of the valiant men of Israel. 8 They all handle the sword, and are expert in war, everyone hath his sword upon his thigh for the fear 1by night. 9 King Solomon made himself a 1palace of the trees of Lebanon. 10 He made the pillars thereof of silver, and the pavement thereof of gold, the hangings thereof of purple, whose midst was paved with the love of the daughters of Jerusalem. 11 Come forth, ye 1daughters of Zion, and behold the King Solomon with the 2crown, wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his marriage, and in the day of the gladness of his heart. 4 1 The praises of the Church. 7 She is without blemish in his sight. 9 The love of Christ towards her.
1 Behold, thou art 1fair, my love: behold, thou art fair: thine eyes are like the doves: among thy locks
1 In my bed by 1night I sought him that my soul
2:7 1 Christ chargeth them which have to do in the Church as it were by a solemn oath, that they trouble not the quietness thereof. 2:8 1 This is spoken of Christ, who took upon his our nature to come to help his Church. 2:9 1 Forasmuch as his divinity was hid under the cloak of our flesh. 2 So that we cannot have full knowledge of him in this life. 2:11 1 That is, sin and error is driven back by the coming of Christ, which is here described by the spring time, when all things flourish. 2:14 1 Thou that art ashamed of thy sins, come and show thyself unto me. 2:15 1 Suppress the heretics while they are young, that is, when they begin to show their malice, and destroy the vine of the Lord. 2:17 1 The Church desireth Christ to be most ready to help her in all dangers. 3:1 1 The Church by night, that is, in troubles, seeketh to Christ, but is not incontinently heard.
3:2 1 Showing that although we be not heard at the first, yet we must still continue in prayer, till we feel comfort. 3:3 1 Which declareth that we must seek unto all of whom we hope to have any succor. 3:5 1 Read Song 2:7. 3:6 1 This is referred to the Church of Israel, which was led by the wilderness forty years. 2 Hebrew, powder. 3:7 1 By the bed is meant the Temple which Solomon made. 3:8 1 He alludeth to the watch which kept the Temple. 3:9 1 Or, chariot. 3:11 1 All ye that are of the number of the faithful. 2 Christ become man was crowned by the love of God with the glorious crown of his divinity. 4:1 1 Because Christ delighteth in his Church, he commendeth all that is in her.
675 Solomon's Song 5:9
athine hair is like the 2flock of goats, which look down from the mountain of Gilead. 2 Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep in good order, which go up from the washing: which every one brings out twins, and none is barren among them. 3 Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy talk is comely: thy temples are within thy locks as a piece of a pomegranate. 4 Thy neck is as the tower of David built for defense: a thousand shields hang therein, and all the targets of the strong men. 5 Thy two 1breasts are as two young roes that are twins, feeding among the lilies. 6 Until the day break, and the shadows fly away, I will go into the mountain of myrrh, and to the mountain of incense. 7 Thou art all fair my love, and there is no spot in thee. 8 1Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, even with me from Lebanon, and look from the top of Amana, from the top of Senir, and Hermon, from the dens of the lions, and from the mountains of the leopards. 9 My 1sister, my spouse, thou hast wounded mine heart: thou hast wounded mine heart with one of thine 2eyes, and with a chain of thy neck. 10 My sister, my Spouse, how fair is thy love? how much better is thy love than wine? and the savor of thine ointments than all spices? 11 Thy 1lips, my Spouse, drop as honeycombs: honey and milk are under thy tongue, and the savor of thy garment is as the savor of Lebanon. 12 My sister, my spouse is as a garden enclosed, as a spring shut up, and a fountain sealed up. 13 Thy plants are as an orchard of pomegranates with sweet fruits, as camphire, spikenard, 14 Even spikenard, and saffron: calamus, and cinnamon, with all the trees of incense, myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices. 15 1O fountain of the gardens, O well of living waters, and the springs of Lebanon.
16 Arise, O 1North, and come, O South, and blow on my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out: let my well-beloved come to his garden, and eat his pleasant fruit. 5 1 Christ calleth his Church to the participation of all his treasures. 2 She heareth his voice. 3 She confesseth her nakedness. 10 She praiseth Christ her husband.
chapter 4
a Song 6:4
1 I am come into my 1garden, my sister, my spouse, I gathered my myrrh with my spice: I ate mine honeycomb with mine honey, I drank my wine with my milk: eat, O friends, drink, and make you merry, O well-beloved. 2 1I sleep, but mine heart waketh, it is the voice of my well-beloved that knocketh, saying, Open unto me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for mine head is full of dew, and my locks with the drops of the 2night. 3 I have put off my 1coat, how shall I defile [put] it on? I have washed my feet, how shall I defile them? 4 My well-beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and 1mine heart was affectioned toward him. 5 I rose up to open to my well-beloved, and mine hands did drop down myrrh, and my 1fingers pure myrrh upon the handles of the bar. 6 I opened to my well-beloved: but my wellbeloved was gone and past: mine heart was gone when he did speak: I sought him, but I could not find him: I called him, but he answered me not. 7 The 1watchmen that were about the city, found me: they smote me, and wounded me: the watchmen of the walls took away my veil from me. 8 I charge you, 1O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my well-beloved, that you tell him that I am sick of love. 9 1O the fairest among women, what is thy wellbeloved more than other well-beloved? what is thy well-beloved more than another lover, that thou dost
2 He hath respect to the multitude of the faithful, which are many in number. 4:5 1 Wherein are knowledge and zeal two precious jewels. 4:8 1 Christ promiseth his Church to call his faithful from all the cor ners of the world. 4:9 1 Christ calleth his Church sister, in respect that he had taken the flesh of man. 2 In that he made his Church beautiful and rich, he loved his gifts in her. 4:11 1 Because of thy confession and thanksgiving. 4:15 1 The Church confesseth that all her glory and beauty cometh of Christ, who is the true fountain of all grace. 4:16 1 She desireth Christ to comfort her and to pour the graces of his Spirit upon her, which Spirit is meant by the North and South wind. 5:1 1 The garden signifieth the kingdom of Christ, where he prepar
eth the banquet for his elect. 5:2 1 The spouse saith that she is troubled with the cares of worldly things, which is meant by sleeping. 2 Declaring the long patience of the Lord toward sinners. 5:3 1 The spouse confesseth her nakedness, and that of herself she hath nothing, or seeing that she is once made clean, she promiseth not to defile herself again. 5:4 1 Hebrew, my bowels were moved towards him. 5:5 1 The spouse which should be anointed of Christ, shall not find him if she think to anoint him with her good works. 5:7 1 These are the false teachers, which wound the conscience with their traditions. 5:8 1 She asketh of them which are godly (forasmuch as the law and salvation should come out of Zion and Jerusalem) that they would direct her to Christ. 5:9 1 Thus say they of Jerusalem.
Solomon's Song 5:10 676
so charge us? 10 My well-beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest of ten thousand. 11 His 1head is as fine gold, his locks curled, and black as a raven. 12 His eyes are like doves upon the rivers of waters, which are washed with milk, and remain by the full vessels. 13 His cheeks are as a bed of spices, and as sweet flowers, and his lips like lilies dropping down pure myrrh. 14 His hands as rings of gold set with the 1chrysolite, his belly like white ivory covered with sapphires. 15 His legs are as pillars of marble set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. 16 His mouth is as sweet things, and he is wholly delectable: this is my well-beloved, and this is my lover, O daughters of Jerusalem. 17 1O the fairest among women, whither is thy well-beloved gone? whither is thy well-beloved turned aside, that we may seek him with thee? 6 1 The Church assureth herself of the love of Christ. 3 The praises of the Church. 8 She is but one and undefiled.
is the only daughter of her mother, and she is dear to her that bare her: the daughters have seen her, and counted her blessed: even the Queens and the concubines, and they have praised her. 9 1Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, pure as the sun, terrible as an army with banners! 10 I went down to the 1garden of nuts, to see the fruits of the valley, to see if the vine budded, and if the pomegranates flourished. 11 1I knew nothing, my soul set me 2as the chariots of my noble people. 12 Return, return, O 1Shulamite, return: return that we may behold thee. What shall you see in the Shulamite, but as the company of an army? 7 1 The beauty of the Church in all her members. 10 She is assured of Christ's love towards her.
chapter 6
a Song 4:1
1 How beautiful are thy 1goings with shoes, O prince's daughter! the joints of thy thighs are like jewels: the work of the hand of a cunning workman. 2 Thy navel is as a round cup that wanteth not liquor: thy belly is as an heap of wheat compassed about with lilies. 3 1Thy two breasts are as two young roes that are twins. 4 Thy neck is like a tower of ivory; thine eyes are like the fish pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath Rabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon that looketh toward Damascus. 5 Thine head upon thee is as scarlet, and the bush of thine head like purple: the king is tied 1in the 2rafters. 6 How fair art thou, and how pleasant art thou, O my love, in pleasures! 7 This thy stature is like a palm tree, and thy breasts like clusters. 8 I said, I will go up into the palm tree, I will take hold of her boughs: thy breasts shall now be like the clusters of the vine: and the savor of thy nose like apples, 9 And the roof of thy mouth like good wine, which goeth straight to my well-beloved, and causeth
1 My well-beloved is gone down into his 1garden to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies. 2 I am my well-beloved's, and my well-beloved is mine, who feedeth among the lilies. 3 Thou art beautiful, my love, as 1Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners. 4 1Turn away thine eyes from me: for they overcome me: athine hair is like a flock of goats, which look down from Gilead. 5 Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep, which go up from the washing, which every one bring out twins, and none is barren among them. 6 Thy temples are within thy locks as a piece of a pomegranate. 7 There are 1threescore Queens, and fourscore concubines, and of the damsels without number. 8 But my dove is alone, and my undefiled, she
5:11 1 She describeth Christ to be of perfect beauty and comeliness. 5:14 1 Hebrew, Tarshish. 5:17 1 Hearing of the excellency of Christ, the faithful desire to know how to find him. 6:1 1 That is, is conversant here in earth among men. 6:3 1 Which was a fair and strong city, 1 Kings 14:17. 6:4 1 This declareth the exceeding love of Christ toward his Church. 6:7 1 Meaning, that the gifts are infinite which Christ giveth to his Church: or that his faithful are many in number 6:9 1 He showeth that the beginning of the Church was small, but that it grew up to a great multitude.
6:10 1 He went down into the Synagogue to see what fruits came of the Law, and the Prophets. 6:11 1 I found nothing but rebellion. 2 Or, set me on the chariots of my willing people. 6:12 1 O ye people of Jerusalem: for Jerusalem was called Salem which signifieth peace. 7:1 1 He describeth the comely beauty of the Church in every part, which is to be understood spiritually. 7:3 1 Read Song 4:5. 7:5 1 He delighteth to come near thee, and to be in thy company. 2 Or, galleries.
677 Solomon's Song 8:14
the lips of the ancient to speak. 10 1I am my well-beloved's, and his desire is toward me. 11 Come my well-beloved, let us go forth into the field: let us remain in the villages. 12 Let us get up early to the vines, let us see if the 1vine flourish, whither it hath budded the small grape, or whither the pomegranates flourish: there will I give thee my love. 13 The mandrakes have given a smell, and in our gates are all sweet things, new and old: my wellbeloved, I have kept them for thee. 8 2 The Church will be taught by Christ. 3 She is upheld by him. 6 The vehement love wherewith Christ loveth her. 11 She is the vine that bringeth forth fruit to the spiritual Solomon, which is Jesus Christ.
ness, leaning upon her well-beloved?) I raised thee up under an apple tree: there the mother conceived thee: there she conceived that bare thee. 6 1Set me as a seal on thine heart, and as a signet upon thine arm: for love is strong as death: jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are fiery coals, and a vehement flame. 7 Much water cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man should give all the substance of his house for love, they would greatly contemn it. 8 1We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister when she shall be spoken for? 9 1If she be a wall, we will build upon her a silver palace: and if she be a door, we will keep her in with boards of cedar. 10 1I am a wall, and my breasts are as towers: then was I in his eyes as one that findeth peace. 11 1Solomon had a vine in Baal Hamon: he gave the vineyard unto keepers: everyone bringeth for the fruit thereof a thousand pieces of silver. 12 But my vineyard which is mine, is before me: to thee, O Solomon, appertaineth a thousand pieces of silver, and two hundred to them that keep the fruit thereof. 13 O thou that dwellest in the 1gardens, the companions hearken unto thy voice: cause me to hear it. 14 O my well-beloved, 1flee away and be like unto the roe, or to the young hart upon the mountains of spices.
1 Oh 1that thou werest as my brother that sucked the breasts of my mother: I would find thee without, I would kiss thee, then they should not despise 2thee. 2 I will lead thee and bring thee into my mother's house: there thou shalt teach me: and I will cause thee to drink spiced wine, and new wine of the pomegranate. 3 1His left hand shall be under mine head, and his right hand shall embrace me. 4 1I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that you stir not up, nor waken my love until she please. 5 (Who is this that cometh up out of the wilder-
7:10 1 This the spouse speaketh. 7:12 1 If the people that are called to Christ, bring forth any fruit. 8:1 1 The Church called of the Gentiles, speaketh thus to the Church of Jerusalem. 2 Or, me. 8:3 1 Read Song 2:6. 8:4 1 Read Song 3:5. 8:6 1 The spouse desireth Christ to be joined in perpetual love
with him. 8:8 1 The Jewish Church speaketh this of the Church of the Gentiles. 8:9 1 If she be sure and fast, she is meet for the husband to dwell in. 8:10 1 The Church promiseth fidelity and constancy. 8:11 1 This is the vineyard of the Lord hired out, Matt. 21:33. 8:13 1 Christ dwelleth in his Church, whose voice the faithful hear. 8:14 1 The Church desireth Christ that if he depart from them, yet that he would haste to help them in their troubles.
I s a i a h
1 2 Isaiah reproveth the Jews of their ingratitude and stubbornness, that neither for benefits nor punishments would amend. 11 He showed why their sacrifices are rejected, and wherein God's true service standeth. 24 He prophesieth of the destruction of Jerusalem, 25 and of the restitution thereof.
and it is desolate like the overthrow of 1strangers. 8 And the daughter of 1Zion shall remain like a cottage in a vineyard, like a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, and like a besieged city. 9 Except the Lord of hosts 1had reserved unto us even a small remnant, we should have been 2as Sodom, and should have been like unto Gomorrah. 10 Hear the word of the Lord, O 1princes of Sod om: hearken unto the Law of our God, O people of Gomorrah. 11 What have I to do with the multitude of your sacrifices, saith the Lord? I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and of the fat of fed beasts: and I 1desire not the blood of bullocks, nor of lambs, nor of goats. 12 When ye come to appear before me, who required this of your hands to tread in my courts? 13 Bring no more oblations, 1in vain: incense is an abomination unto me: I cannot suffer your new moons, nor Sabbath, nor solemn days (it is iniquity) nor solemn assemblies. 14 My soul hateth your 1new moons and your appointed feasts: they are a burden unto me: I am weary to bear them. 15 And when you shall stretch out your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: and though ye make many prayers, I will not hear: for your hands are full 1of blood.
1 A 1vision of Isaiah, the son of Amoz, which he saw 2concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of 3Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah Kings of Judah. 2 Hear, O 1heavens, and hearken, O earth: for the Lord hath said, I have nourished and brought up 2children, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The 1ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel hath not known: my people hath not understood. 4 Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity: a 1seed of the wicked, corrupt children: they have forsaken the Lord: they have provoked the 2Holy one of Israel to anger: they are gone backward. 5 Wherefore should ye be 1smitten anymore? for ye fall away more and more: the whole 2head is sick, and the whole heart is heavy. 6 From the 1sole of the foot unto the head, there is nothing whole therein, but wounds and swelling, and sores full of corruption: they have not been wrapped, 2nor bound up nor mollified with oil. 7 Your land is waste: your cities are burnt with fire: strangers devour your land in your presence,
1:1 1 That is, a revelation or prophecy, which was one of the two means whereby God declared himself to his servants in old time, as Num. 12:6, and therefore the Prophets were called Seers, 1 Sam. 9:9. 2 Isaiah was chiefly sent to Judah and Jerusalem, but not only: for in this book are prophecies concerning other nations also. 3 Called also Azariah, 2 Kings 15:1, of these Kings, read 2 Kings 14–21, and 2 Chron. 25–33. 1:2 1 Because men were obstinate and insensible, he calleth to the dumb creatures, which were more prompt to obey God's word, as Deut. 32:1. 2 He declareth his great mercy toward the Jews forasmuch as he chose them above all other nations to be his people and children, as Deut. 10:15. 1:3 1 The most dull and brute beasts do more acknowledge their duty toward their masters, than my people do toward me, of whom they have received benefits without comparison. 1:4 1 They were not only wicked as were their fathers, but utterly corrupt, and by their evil example infected others. 2 That is, him that sanctifieth Israel. 1:5 1 What availeth it to seek to amend you by punishment, seeing the more I correct you, the more ye rebel? 2 By naming the chief parts of the body, he signifieth that there was no part of the whole body of the Jews free from his rods.
1:6 1 Every part of the body as well the least as the chiefest, was plagued. 2 Their plagues were so grievous, that they were incurable, and yet they would not repent. 1:7 1 Meaning, of them that dwell far off, which because they look for no advantage of that which remaineth destroy all before them. 1:8 1 That is, Jerusalem. 1:9 1 Because that he will ever have a Church to call upon his Name. 2 That is, all destroyed. 1:10 1 Ye that for your vices deserved all to be destroyed, as they of Sodom, save that God of his mercy reserved a little number, Lam. 3:22. 1:11 1 Although God commanded these sacrifices for a time, as aids and exercises of their faith: yet because the people had not faith nor repentance, God detesteth them, Ps. 50:13; Jer. 6:20; Amos 5:22; Mic. 6:7. 1:13 1 Without faith and repentance. 1:14 1 Your sacrifices offered in the new moons and feasts: he con demneth hereby hypocrites, which think to please God with ceremo nies, and they themselves are void of faith and mercy. 1:15 1 He showeth that where men be given to avarice, deceit, cru elty and extortion, which is meant by blood, there God will show his anger, and not accept them, though they seem never so holy, as Isa. 59:3.
679 Isaiah 2:4
16 1Wash you, make you clean, take away the evil of your works from before mine eyes: cease to do evil. 17 Learn to 1do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed: judge the fatherless, and defend the widow. 18 Come now, 1and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins were as crimson, they shall be made 2white as snow: though they were red like scarlet, they shall be as wool, 19 If ye 1consent and obey, ye shall eat the good things of the land. 20 But if ye refuse and be rebellious, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. 21 How is the 1faithful city become an harlot? it was full of judgment, and justice lodged therein, but now 2they are murderers. 22 Thy 1silver is become dross: thy wine is mixed with water. 23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of 1thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the widow's cause come before them. 24 Therefore saith the Lord God of hosts, the 1Mighty one of Israel, Ah, I will 2ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies. 25 Then I will turn mine hand upon thee, and burn out thy dross, till it 1be pure, and take away all thy tin. 26 1And I will restore thy Judges as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning: afterward shalt
thou be called a city of righteousness, and a faithful city. 27 Zion shall be redeemed in judgment, and they that return in her, in 1justice. 28 And the 1destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together: and they that forsake the Lord, shall be consumed. 29 For they shall be confounded for the 1oaks, which ye have desired, and ye shall be ashamed of the gardens that ye have chosen, 30 For ye shall be as an oak, whose leaf fadeth: and as a garden that hath no water. 31 And the strong shall be as 1tow, and the maker thereof as a spark: and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them. 2 2 The Church shall be restored by Christ, and the Gentiles called. 6 The punishment of the rebellious and obstinate.
chapter 2
a Mic. 4:1
b Mic. 4:2
1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw upon Judah and Jerusalem, 2 aIt 1shall be in the last days, that the mountain of the House of the Lord shall be prepared in the top of the mountains, and 2shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall 3flow unto it. 3 And many people shall go, and say, Come, and let us go up to 1the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths, bfor the 2Law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from 3Jerusalem. 4 And 1he shall judge among the nations, and
1:16 1 By this outward washing, he meaneth the spiritual: exhorting the Jews to repent and amend their lives. 1:17 1 This kind of reasoning by the second Table, the Scriptures use in many places against the hypocrites, who pretend most holiness and religion in word, but when the charity and love toward their brethren should appear, they declare that they have neither faith nor religion. 1:18 1 To know if I do accuse you without cause. 2 Lest sinners should pretend any rigor on God's part, he only will eth them to be pure in heart, and he will forgive all their sins, were they never so many or great. 1:19 1 He showeth that whatsoever adversity man endureth, it ought to be attributed to his own incredulity and disobedience. 1:21 1 That is, Jerusalem, which had promised fidelity unto me, as a wife to her husband. 2 Given to covetousness and extortion, which he signified before by blood, verse 15. 1:22 1 Whatsoever was pure in thee before, is now corrupt, though thou have an outward show. 1:23 1 That is, they maintain the wicked and the extortioners: and not only do not punish them, but are themselves such. 1:24 1 When God will show himself merciful to his Church, he calleth himself, The Holy one of Israel, but when he hath to do with his ene mies, he is called Mighty, as against whom no power is able to resist. 2 I will take vengeance of mine adversaries the Jews, and so satisfy
my desire by punishing them. Which thing yet he doeth with a grief, because of his Covenant. 1:25 1 Lest the faithful among them should be overcome with his threatening, he addeth this consolation. 1:26 1 It is only the work of God to purify the heart of man, which thing he doeth because of his promise, made concerning the salva tion of his Church. 1:27 1 By justice is meant God's faithful promise, which is the cause of the deliverance of his Church. 1:28 1 The wicked shall not be partakers of God's promise, Ps. 92:9. 1:29 1 That is, the trees and pleasant places, where ye commit idola try, which was forbidden, Deut. 16:22. 1:31 1 The false god, wherein ye put your confidence, shall be con sumed as easily as a piece of tow. 2:2 1 The decree and ordinance of God, touching the restoration of the Church, which is chiefly meant of the time of Christ. 2 In an evident place to be seen and discerned. 3 When the kingdom of Christ shall be enlarged by the preaching of the doctrine. Here also is declared the zeal of the children of God, when they are called. 2:3 1 Alluding to mount Zion, where the visible Church then was. 2 Meaning, the whole doctrine of salvation. 3 This was accomplished, when the Gospel was first preached in Jerusalem, and from thence went through all the world. 2:4 1 The Lord, which is Christ, shall have all power given him.
Isaiah 2:5 680
2rebuke many people: they shall 3break their swords also into mattocks, and their spears into scythes: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn 4to fight anymore. 5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us 1walk in the Law of the Lord. 6 Surely thou 1hast forsaken thy people, the house of Jacob, because they are 2full of the East manners, and are sorcerers as the Philistines, 3and abound with strange children. 7 Their land also was full of 1silver and gold, and there was none end of their treasures: and their land was full of horses, and their chariots were infinite. 8 Their land was also full of idols; they worshipped the work of their own hands, which their own fingers have made. 9 And a man bowed himself, and a man 1humbled himself: therefore 2spare them not. 10 Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust from before the fear of the Lord, and from the glory of his Majesty. 11 The high look of man shall be humbled, and the loftiness of men shall be abased, and the Lord only shall be exalted in 1that day. 12 For the day of the Lord of hosts is upon all the proud and haughty, and upon all that is exalted: and it shall be made low. 13 Even upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and exalted, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, 14 And upon all the high 1mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, 15 And upon every high tower, and upon every strong wall, 16 And upon 1all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. 17 And the haughtiness of men shall be brought
low, and the loftiness of men shall be abased, and the Lord shall only be exalted in that day. 18 And the idols will he utterly destroy. 19 Then shall they go cinto the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth from before the fear of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty, when he shall arise to destroy the earth. 20 At that day shall man cast away his silver idols and his golden idols (which they had made themselves to worship them) 1to the moles, and to the backs, 21 To go into the holes of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks from before the fear of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty, when he shall rise to destroy the earth. 22 Cease you from the man, whose 1breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be esteemed? 3 1 For the sin of the people, God will take away the wise men, and give them foolish princes. 14 The covetousness of the governors. 26 The pride of the women.
c Hos. 10:8 Luke 23:30
Rev. 6:16
Rev. 9:6
1 For lo, the Lord God of hosts will take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay 1and the strength: even all the stay of bread, and all the stay of water, 2 The strong man, and the man of war, 1the judge, and the Prophet, the prudent and the aged, 3 The captain of fifty, and the honorable, and the counselor, and the cunning artificer, and 1eloquent man. 4 And I will appoint 1children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. 5 The people shall be 1oppressed one of another, and every one by his neighbor: the children shall presume against the ancient, and the vile against the honorable.
2:4 2 That they may acknowledge their sins, and turn to him. 3 He showeth the fruit of the peace, which the Gospel should bring: to wit, that men should do good one to another, whereas before they were enemies. 4 He speaketh not against the use of weapons and lawful war, but showeth how the hearts of the godly shall be affected one toward another: Which peace and love doth begin and grow in this life, but shall be perfected when we are joined with our Head Christ Jesus. 2:5 1 Seeing the Gentiles will be so ready, make you haste, and show them the way to worship God. 2:6 1 The Prophet seeing the small hope that the Jews would con vert, complaineth to God, as though he had utterly forsaken them for their sins. 2 Full of the corruptions that reigned chiefly in the East parts. 3 They altogether gave themselves to the fashions of other nations. 2:7 1 The Prophet first condemned their superstition and idolatry: next their covetousness, and thirdly their vain trust in worldly means. 2:9 1 He noteth the nature of the idolaters, which are never satisfied in their superstitions. 2 Thus the Prophet spake, being inflamed with the zeal of God's
glory, and that he might fear them with God's judgment. 2:11 1 Meaning, as soon as God shall begin to execute his judg ments. 2:14 1 By high trees and mountains are meant them that are proud and lofty, and think themselves most strong in this world. 2:16 1 He condemneth their vain confidence, which they had in strongholds, and in their rich merchandise, which brought in vain pleasures, wherewith men's minds became effeminate. 2:20 1 They shall cast them into most vile and filthy places, when they perceive that they are not able to help them. 2:22 1 Cast off your vain confidence of man, whose life is so frail, that if his nose be stopped, he is dead, and consider that you have to do with God. 3:1 1 Because they trusted in their abundance and prosperity, he showeth that they should be taken from them. 3:2 1 The temporal governor and the minister. 3:3 1 By these he meaneth that God would take away everything that was in any estimation, and wherein they had any occasion to vaunt themselves. 3:4 1 Not only in age: but in wit, manners, knowledge and strength. 3:5 1 For lack of good regiment and order.
681 Isaiah 4:3
6 When everyone shall 1take hold of his brother of the house of his father, and say, Thou hast clothing, thou shalt be our prince, and let this fall be under thine hand: 7 In that day he shall 1swear, saying, I cannot be an helper: for there is no bread in mine house, nor clothing: therefore make me no prince of the people. 8 Doubtless Jerusalem is fallen, and Judah is fallen down, because their tongue and works are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of his glory. 9 The 1trial of their countenance testifieth against them, yea, they declare their sins, as Sodom, they hide them not. Woe be unto their souls: for they have rewarded evil unto themselves. 10 1Say ye, Surely it shall be well with the just: for they shall eat the fruit of their works. 11 Woe be to the wicked, it shall be evil with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. 12 1Children are extortioners of my people, and women have rule over them: O my people, they that lead thee, cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. 13 The Lord standeth up to plead, yea, he standeth to judge the people. 14 The Lord shall enter into judgment with the 1Ancients of his people and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard: the spoil of the poor is in your houses. 15 What have ye to do that ye beat my people to pieces, 1and grind the faces of the poor, saith the Lord, even the Lord of hosts? 16 The Lord also saith, 1Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with 2stretched out necks, and with 3wandering eyes, walking and 4mincing as they go, and making a 5tinkling with their feet,
17 Therefore shall the Lord make the heads of the daughters of Zion bald, and the Lord shall discover their secret parts. 18 In that day shall the Lord take away the ornament of the slippers, and the cauls, and the round tyres, 19 The sweet balls, and the bracelets, and the bonnets, 20 The tyres of the head, and the slops, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, 21 The rings and the mufflers, 22 The costly apparel and the veils, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, 23 And the glasses and the fine linen, and the hoods and the 1lawns. 24 And instead of sweet savor, there shall be stink, and instead of girdle, a rent, and instead of dressing of the hair, baldness, and instead of a stomacher, a girding of sackcloth, and burning instead of beauty. 25 Thy men shall fall by the 1sword, and thy strength in the battle. 26 Then shall her gates mourn and lament, and she being desolate, shall sit upon the ground. 4 1 The small remnant of men after the destruction of Jerusalem. 2 The graces of God upon them that remain.
1 And in that day shall 1seven women take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and we will wear our own garments: only 2let us be called by thy name, and take away our 3reproach. 2 In that day shall the 1bud of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and pleasant for them that are escaped of Israel. 3 Then he that shall be left in Zion, and he that shall remain in Jerusalem, shall be called holy,
3:6 1 He showeth that this plague shall be so horrible, that contrary to the common manner of men, which by nature are ambitious, none shall be found able or willing to be their governor. 3:7 1 Fear shall rather cause him to forswear himself, than to take such a dangerous charge upon him. 3:9 1 When God shall examine their deeds whereupon they now set an impudent face, he shall find the mark of their impiety in their forehead. 3:10 1 Be ye that are godly, assured that God will defend you in the midst of these troubles. 3:12 1 Because the wicked people were more addicted to their princes, than to the commandments of God, he showeth that he would give them such princes, by whom they should have no help, but that should be manifest tokens of his wrath, because they should be fools and effeminate. 3:14 1 Meaning, that the rulers and governors had destroyed his Church, and not preserved it, according to their duty. 3:15 1 That is, ye show all cruelty against them. 3:16 1 He meaneth the people because of the arrogancy and pride of their women, which gave themselves to all wantonness and dis solution.
2 Which declared their pride. 3 As a sign, that they were not chaste. 4 Which showed their wantonness. 5 They delighted then in slippers that did creak, or had little plates sewed upon them, which tinkled as they went. 3:23 1 In rehearsing all these things particularly, he showeth the lightness and vanity of such as cannot be content with comely apparel according to their degree. 3:25 1 Meaning, that God will not only punish the women, but their husbands which have suffered this dissoluteness, and also the com monweal, which hath not remedied it. 4:1 1 When God shall execute this vengeance, there shall not be one man found to be the head to many women, and they contrary to womanly shamefacedness, shall seek unto men, and offer them selves to any condition. 2 Be thou our husband, and let us be called thy wives. 3 For so they thought it to be without an head and husband. 4:2 1 He comforteth the Church in this desolation, which shall spring up like a bud, signifying that God's graces should be as plentiful toward the faithful, as though they sprang out of the earth, as Isa. 45:8. Some by the bud of the Lord mean Christ.
Isaiah 4:4 682
and every one shall be 1written among the living in Jerusalem, 4 When the Lord shall wash the filthiness of the daughters of Zion, and purge the 1blood of Jerusalem out of the midst thereof by the spirit of 2judgment, and by the spirit of burning. 5 And the Lord shall create upon every place of mount Zion, and upon the assemblies thereof, 1a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the 2glory shall be a defense. 6 And a covering shall be for a shadow in the day for the heat, and a place of refuge and a covert for the storm 1and for the rain. 5 1 Under the similitude of the vine, he describeth the state of the people. 8 Of their avarice. 11 Their drunkenness. 13 Of their captivity.
shall be eaten up: I will break the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: 6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be cut, nor dug, but briers and thorns shall grow up: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 7 ¶ Surely the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant plant, and he looked for 1judgment, but behold oppression: for righteousness, but behold 2a crying. 8 Woe unto them that join house to house, and lay field to field, till there be no 1place, that ye may be placed by yourselves in the midst of the earth. 9 This is in mine 1ears, saith the Lord of hosts. Surely many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair without inhabitant. 10 For ten acres of vines shall yield one 1bath, and the seed of an 2homer shall yield an 3ephah. 11 ¶ Woe unto them, that 1rise up early to follow drunkenness, and to them that continue until 2night, till the wine do inflame them, 12 And the harp and viol, timbrel and pipe, and wine are in their feasts: but they regard not the 1work of the Lord, neither consider the work of his hands. 13 Therefore my people 1is gone into captivity, because they had 2no knowledge, and the glory thereof are men famished, and the multitude thereof is dried up with thirst. 14 Therefore 1hell hath enlarged itself, and hath opened his mouth without measure, and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth among them, shall descend into it. 15 And man shall be brought down, and man
chapter 5
a Jer. 2:21 Matt. 21:33
1 Now will 1I sing to my 2beloved a song of my beloved to his vineyard, aMy beloved had a 3vineyard in a very fruitful hill. 2 And he hedged it, and gathered out the stones of it, and he planted it with the best plants, 1and he built a tower in the midst thereof, and made a winepress therein, then he looked that it should bring forth grapes: but it brought forth 2wild grapes. 3 Now therefore, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, 1between me and my vineyard. 4 What could I have done anymore to my vineyard that I have not done unto it? why have I looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it bringeth forth wild grapes? 5 And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I 1will take away the hedge thereof, and it
4:3 1 He alludeth to the book of life, whereof read Exod. 32:32, mean ing, God's secret counsel, wherein his elect are predestinate to life everlasting. 4:4 1 That is, the cruelty, extortion, avarice, and all wickedness. 2 When things shall be redressed that were amiss. 4:5 1 He alludeth to the pillar of the cloud, Exod. 13:21, meaning, that God's favor and protection should appear in every place. 2 The faithful are called the glory of God, because his image and tokens of his grace shine in them. 4:6 1 God promiseth to be the defense of his Church against all troubles and dangers. 5:1 1 The Prophet by this song doth set before the people's eyes their ingratitude, and God's mercy. 2 That is, to God. 3 Meaning, that he had planted his Church in a place most plenti ful and abundant. 5:2 1 He spared no diligence nor cost. 2 In the seventh verse he declareth what they were. 5:3 1 He maketh them judges in their own cause, forasmuch as it was evident that they were the cause of their own ruin. 5:5 1 I will take no more care for it: meaning, that he would take from them his word and ministers, and all other comforts, and send them
contrary plagues. 5:7 1 Judgment and righteousness are true fruits of the fear of God, and therefore in the cruel oppression there is no religion. 2 Of them that are oppressed. 5:8 1 To wit, for the poor to dwell in. 5:9 1 I have heard the complaint and cry of the poor. 5:10 1 Which containeth about ten pottels: so that every acre should but yield one pottel. 2 Which containeth an hundred pottels. 3 An Ephah containeth ten pottels and is in dry things as much as Bath is in liquors. 5:11 1 That spare no pain nor diligence to follow their lusts. 2 Which are never weary of their rioting and excessive pleasures, but use all means to provoke to the same. 5:12 1 They regard not the provident care of God over them, nor for what end he hath created them. 5:13 1 That is, shall certainly go: for so the Prophets use to speak, as though the thing which shall come to pass, were done already. 2 Because they would not obey the word of God. 5:14 1 Meaning, the grave shall swallow up them that shall die for hunger and thirst, and yet for all this great destruction it shall ever be satiate.
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shall be humbled, even the eyes of the proud shall be humbled. 16 And the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and the holy God shall be sanctified in justice. 17 Then shall 1the lambs feed after their manner, and the strangers shall eat the desolate places of the fat. 18 ¶ Woe unto them that draw iniquity with 1cords of vanity, and sin, as with cart ropes: 19 Which say, 1Let him make speed: let him hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, that we may know it. 20 Woe unto them that speak good of evil, 1and evil of good, which put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for sour. 21 Woe unto them that are 1wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight. 22 Woe unto them that are 1mighty to drink wine, and unto them that are strong to pour in strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for a reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him. 24 Therefore as the flame of fire devoureth the stubble, and as the chaff is consumed of the flame: so their 1root shall be a rottenness, and their bud shall rise up like dust, because they have cast off the Law of the Lord of hosts, and contemned the word of the Holy one of Israel. 25 Therefore is the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched out his 1hand upon them, and hath smitten them that the mountains did tremble: and their carcasses were torn
in the midst of the streets, and for all this his wrath was not turned away, but his hand was stretched out still. 26 And he will lift up a sign 1unto the nations afar, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and behold, they shall come hastily with speed. 27 None shall 1faint nor fall among them: none shall slumber nor sleep, neither shall the girdle of his loins be loosed, nor 2the latchet of his shoes be broken. 28 Whose arrows shall be sharp, and all his bows bent: his horse hoofs shall be thought like flint, and his wheels like whirlwind. 29 His roaring shall be like a lion, and he shall roar like lion's whelps: they shall 1roar, and lay hold of the prey: they shall take it away, and none shall deliver it. 30 And in that day they shall roar upon them, as the roaring of the sea: and if 1they look unto the earth, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light shall be darkened in their 2sky. 6 1 Isaiah showeth his vocation by the vision of the divine majesty. 9 He showeth the obstinacy of the people. 11 The destruction of the land. 13 The remnant reserved.
1 In the year of the death of king Uzziah, 1I saw also the Lord sitting upon an 2high throne, and lifted up, and the lower 3parts thereof filled the Temple. 2 The 1Seraphims stood upon it, every one had six wings: with twain he covered his 2face, and with twain he covered his 3feet, and with twain he did 4fly. 3 And one cried to another, and said, 1Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole 2world is full of his glory.
5:17 1 God comforteth the poor lambs of his Church, which had been strangers in other countries, promising that they should dwell in these places again, whereof they had been deprived by the fat and cruel tyrants. 5:18 1 Which use all allurements, occasions, and excuses to harden their conscience in sin. 5:19 1 He showeth what are the words of the wicked, when they are menaced with God's judgments, 2 Pet. 3:4. 5:20 1 Which are not ashamed of sin, nor care for honesty, but are grown to a desperate impiety. 5:21 1 Which are contemners of all doctrine and admonition. 5:22 1 Which are never weary, but show their strength, and brag in gluttony and drunkenness. 5:24 1 Both they and their posterity, so that nothing shall be left. 5:25 1 He showeth that God had so sore punished this people, that the dumb creatures, if they had been so plagued, would have been more sensible, and therefore his plagues must continue, till they begin to feel them. 5:26 1 He will make the Babylonians to come against them at his beck, and to fight under his standard. 5:27 1 They shall be prompt and lusty to execute God's vengeance. 2 The enemy shall have none impediment.
5:29 1 Whereby is declared the cruelty of the enemy. 5:30 1 The Jews shall find no succor. 2 In the land of Judah. 6:1 1 God showeth not himself to man in his majesty, but according as man's capacity is able to comprehend him, that is, by visible signs, as John Baptist saw the holy Ghost in the form of a dove. 2 As a Judge ready to give sentence. 3 Of his garment, or of his throne. 6:2 1 They were Angels, so called, because they were of a fiery color, to signify that they burnt in the love of God, or were light as fire to execute his will. 2 Signifying, that they were not able to endure the brightness of God's glory. 3 Whereby was declared that man was not able to see the bright ness of God in them. 4 Which thing declareth the prompt obedience of the Angels to execute God's commandment. 6:3 1 This oft repetition signifieth, that the Holy Angels cannot satisfy themselves in praising God, to teach us that in all our lives we should give ourselves to the continual praise of God. 2 His glory doth not only appear in the heavens, but through all the world, and therefore all creatures are bound, to praise him.
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7 1 Jerusalem is besieged. 4 Isaiah comforteth the king. 14 Christ is promised.
4 And the lintels of the door cheeks 1moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
chapter 7
a 2 Kings 16:5
1 And in the days of aAhaz, the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah king of Judah, Rezin the king of 1Aram 2came up, and Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel, to Jerusalem to fight against it, but he could not overcome it. 2 And it was told the house of 1David, saying, Aram is joined with 2Ephraim: therefore his heart was 3moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest are moved by the wind. 3 ¶ Then said the Lord unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz (thou and 1Shear-Jashub thy son) at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, in the path of the fuller's field, 4 And say unto him, Take heed, and be still: fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking 1firebrands, for the furious wrath of Rezin and of Aram, and of Remaliah's son, 5 Because Aram hath taken wicked counsel against thee, and Ephraim and Remaliah's son, saying, 6 Let us go up against Judah, and let us waken them up, and make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst thereof, even the son of 1Tabel. 7 Thus saith the Lord God, It shall not stand, neither shall it be. 8 For the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin: and within five and 1threescore years, Ephraim shall be destroyed from being a people. 9 And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye believe not, surely ye shall not be established. 10 ¶ And the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 11 Ask 1a sign for thee of the Lord thy God: ask it
5 Then I said, 1Woe is me: for I am undone, because I am a man of polluted lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of polluted lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, and Lord of hosts.
6 Then flew one of the Seraphims unto me with an hot coal in his hand, which he had taken from the 1altar with the tongs:
7 And he touched my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips, and thine iniquity shall be taken away, and thy 1sin shall be purged.
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send? and who shall go for us? Then I said, Here am I, send me.
9 And he said, Go, and say unto this people, 1Ye shall hear indeed, but ye shall not understand: ye shall plainly see, and not perceive.
10 Make the heart of this people fat, make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and he heal them.
11 Then said I, Lord, 1how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,
12 And the Lord have removed men far away, and there be a great desolation in the midst of the land.
13 But yet in it shall be 1a tenth, and shall return, and shall be eaten up as an elm 2or an oak, which have a substance in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.
6:4 1 Which things were to confirm the Prophet, that it was not the voice of man: and by the smoke was signified the blindness that should come upon the Jews. 6:5 1 He speaketh this for two causes: the one because he that was a mortal creature, and therefore had more need to glorify God than the Angels, did it not: and the other because the more near that man approacheth to God, the more doth he know his own sin and cor ruption. 6:6 1 Of the burnt offerings, where the fire never went out. 6:7 1 This declareth that man cannot render due obedience to God, till he have purged us. 6:9 1 Whereby is declared that for the malice of man God will not immediately take away his word, but he will cause it to be preached to their condemnation, when as they will not learn thereby to obey his will, and be saved: hereby he exhorteth the ministers to do their duty, and answereth to the wicked murmurers, that through their own malice their heart is hardened, Matt. 13:14; Acts 28:26; Rom. 11:8. 6:11 1 As he was moved with the zeal of God's glory, so was he touched with a charitable affection toward the people. 6:13 1 Meaning, the tenth part: or as some write, it was revealed to Isaiah for the confirmation of his prophecy, that ten Kings should come before their captivity, as were from Uzziah to Zedekiah.
2 For the fewness they shall seem to be eaten up: yet they shall after flourish as a tree, which in winter loseth leaves, and seemeth to be dead, yet in Summer is fresh and green. 7:1 1 Or, Syria. 2 To wit, the second time: for in the first battle Ahaz was over come. 7:2 1 Meaning, the King's house. 2 That is, Israel, because that tribe was the greatest, Gen. 48:19. 3 For fear. 7:3 1 That is to say, the rest shall return, which name Isaiah gave his son, to signify that the rest of the people should return out of their captivity. 7:4 1 Which have but a little smoke and shall quickly be quenched. 7:6 1 Which was an Israelite, and as seemeth, enemy to the house of David. 7:8 1 Counting from the five and twentieth year of the reign of Uzziah, at what time Amos prophesied this thing, and now Isaiah confirmeth that the Israelites should be led into perpetual captivity, which thing came to pass within 20 years after that Isaiah did this message. 7:11 1 For the confirmation of this thing that thine enemies shall be destroyed and thou preserved.
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either in the depth beneath, or in the height above. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I 1tempt the Lord. 13 Then he said, Hear you now, O house of David, is it a small thing for you to grieve 1men, that ye will also grieve my God? 14 Therefore the Lord 1himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and she shall call his name 2Immanuel. 15 1Butter and honey shall he eat, till he have knowledge to refuse the evil, and to choose the good. 16 For afore the 1child shall have knowledge to eschew the evil, and to choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest, shall be forsaken of both her kings. 17 The Lord shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy Father's house (the days that are not come from the day that 1Ephraim departed from Judah) even the King of 2Assyria. 18 And in that day shall the Lord hiss for the 1fly that is at the uttermost parts of the floods of Egypt, and for the Bee which is in the land of Assyria, 19 And they shall come and shall light all in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorny places, and upon all bushy 1places. 20 In that day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, even by them beyond the River, by the King of Assyria, the head and the hair of the 1feet, and it shall consume the beard. 21 And in the same day shall a man 1nourish a young cow, and two sheep. 22 And for the 1abundance of milk, that they shall give, he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall everyone eat, which is left within the land.
23 And at the same day every place, wherein shall be a thousand vines, shall be at a thousand pieces of silver: so it shall be for the briers and for the thorns. 24 With arrows and with 1bow shall one come thither: because all the land shall be briers and thorns. 25 But on 1all the mountains, which shall be dug with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but they shall be for the sending out of bullocks, and for the treading of sheep. 8 1 The captivity of Israel and Judah by the Assyrians. 6 The infidelity of the Jews. 9 The destruction of the Assyrians. 14 Christ the stone of stumbling to the wicked. 19 The word of God must be inquired at.
1 Moreover the Lord said unto me, Take thee a 1great roll, and write it 2with a man's pen, Make speed to the spoil: haste to the prey. 2 Then I took unto me 1faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the Priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah. 3 After, I came unto the 1Prophetess, which conceived, and bare a son. Then said the Lord to me, Call his name, 2Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz. 4 For before the 1child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, he shall take away the riches of Damascus, and the spoil of Samaria, before the 2King of Assyria. 5 ¶ And the Lord spake yet again unto me, saying, 6 Because this people hath refused the waters of 1Shiloah that run softly, and rejoice with Rezin, and the son of Remaliah,
7:12 1 Not to believe God's word without a sign, is to tempt God, but to refuse a sign when God offereth it for the aid and help of our infirmity, is to rebel against him. 7:13 1 You think you have to do with men, when ye contemn God's messengers: but it is God against whom you bend yourselves. 7:14 1 Forasmuch as thou art unworthy, the Lord for his own prom ise sake will give a sign, which shall be that Christ the Savior of his Church, and the effect of all signs and miracles shall be revealed. 2 Or, God with us, which name can agree to none, but to him that is both God and man. 7:15 1 Meaning, that Christ is not only God, but man also, because he shall be nourished as other men until the age of discretion. 7:16 1 Not meaning Christ, but any child: for before a child can come to the years of discretion, the kings of Samaria and Syria shall be destroyed. 7:17 1 Since the time that the twelve Tribes rebelled under Rehoboam. 2 In whom thou hast put thy trust. 7:18 1 Meaning, the Egyptians: for by reason the country is hot and moist, it is full of flies, as Assyria is full of bees. 7:19 1 Signifying, that no place shall be free from them. 7:20 1 That is, that which is from the belly downward: meaning, that he would destroy both great and small.
7:21 1 He that before had a great number of cattle, shall be content with one cow and two sheep. 7:22 1 The number of men shall be so small, that a few beasts shall be able to nourish all abundantly. 7:24 1 As they that go to seek wild beasts among the bushes. 7:25 1 The mountains contrary to their wont, shall be tilled by such as shall flee to them for succor. 8:1 1 That thou mayest write in great letters, to the intent it may be more easily read. 2 Meaning, after the common fashion, because all men might read it. 8:2 1 Because the thing was of great importance, he took these two witnesses, which were of credit with the people, when he set this up upon the door of the Temple, albeit Uriah was a flattering hypocrite, 2 Kings 16:11. 8:3 1 Meaning, to his wife, and this was done in a vision. 2 Or, make speed to the spoil: haste to the prey. 8:4 1 Before any child be able to speak. 2 That is, the army of Assyria. 8:6 1 Which was a fountain at the foot of mount Zion, out of the which ran a small river through the city: meaning, that they of Judah, distrusting their own power, which was small, desired such power and riches as they saw in Syria and Israel.
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7 Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of 1the River mighty and great, even the King of Assyria with all his glory, and he shall come up upon all their rivers, and go over all their banks, 8 And shall break into Judah, and shall overflow, and pass through, and shall come up to the 1neck, and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O 2Immanuel. 9 Gather together on heaps, O ye 1people, and ye shall be broken in pieces, and hearken all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces: gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces. 10 Take counsel together, yet, it shall be brought to naught: pronounce a decree, yet shall it not stand: for God is with us. 11 For the Lord spake thus to me, in taking 1of mine hand, and taught me, that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, 12 Say ye not, A 1confederacy, to all them to whom this people saith a confederacy, neither fear you 2their fear, nor be afraid of them. 13 1Sanctify the Lord of hosts, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread, 14 And he shall be as a 1Sanctuary: but as a stumbling stone, and as a rock to fall upon, to both the houses of Israel, and as a snare and as a net to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many among them shall stumble, and shall fall, and shall be broken, and shall be snared, and shall be taken, 16 1Bind up the testimony: seal up the Law among
my disciples. 17 Therefore I will wait upon the Lord that hath hid his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. 18 Behold, I and the 1children whom the Lord hath given me, are as signs and as wonders in Israel, 2by the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Zion. 19 And when they shall say unto you, Inquire at them that have a spirit of divination, and at the soothsayers which whisper and murmur, 1Should not a people inquire at their God? from the 2living to the dead? 20 To the 1Law, and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word: it is because there is no 2light in them. 21 Then he that is afflicted and famished, shall go to and fro in 1it: and when he shall be hungry, he shall even fret himself, 2and curse his king and his gods, and shall look upward. 22 And when he shall look to the earth, behold trouble, and 1darkness, vexation, and anguish, and he is driven to darkness. 9 1 The vocation of the Gentiles. 6 A prophecy of Christ. 14 The destruction of the ten tribes for their pride and contempt of God.
1 Yet 1the darkness shall not be according to the affliction, 2that it had when at the first he touched lightly the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, nor afterward when he was more grievous by the way of the sea beyond Jordan in Galilee of 3the Gentiles. 2 The people that 1walked in darkness, have seen a great 2light: they that dwelled in the land
8:7 1 That is, the Assyrians which dwell beyond Euphrates. 8:8 1 It shall be ready to drown them. 2 He speaketh this to Messiah, or Christ, in whom the faithful were comforted, and who would not suffer his Church to be destroyed utterly. 8:9 1 To wit, ye that are enemies to the Church, as the Assyrians, Egyptians, Syrians, etc. 8:11 1 To encourage me that I should not shrink for the infidelity of this people, and so neglect mine office. 8:12 1 Consent not ye that are godly, to the league and friendship that this people seek with strangers and idolaters. 2 Meaning, that they should not fear the thing that they feared, which have no hope in God. 8:13 1 In putting your trust only in him, in calling upon him in adver sity, patiently looking for his help, and fearing to do anything con trary to his will. 8:14 1 He will defend you which are his elect, and reject all the rest, which is meant of Christ, against whom the Jews should stumble and fall, Luke 2:34; Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:7, 8. 8:16 1 Though all forsake me, yet ye that are mine, keep my word sure sealed in your hearts. 8:18 1 Meaning, them that were willing to hear and obey the word of God, whom the world hated, as though they were monsters and not worthy to live. 2 This was a consolation in their troubles, knowing that nothing
could come unto them, but by the will of the Lord. 8:19 1 Answer the wicked thus, Should not God's people seek succor only at him? 2 This is, will they refuse to be taught of the Prophet, who is the mouth of God, and seek help at the dead, which is the illusion of Satan? 8:20 1 Seek remedy in the word of God, where his will is declared. 2 They have no knowledge, but are blind leaders of the blind. 8:21 1 That is, in Judah, where they should have had rest, if they had not thus grievously offended God. 2 In whom afore they put their trust. 8:22 1 They shall think that heaven and earth and all creatures are bent against them to trouble them. 9:1 1 He comforteth the Church again after these great threatenings, promising to restore them to great glory in Messiah. 2 Wherewith Israel was punished, first by Tiglath-pilesar, which was a light scourge in respect of that which they suffered afterward by Shalmaneser, who carried the Israelites away captives. 3 Whereas the Jews and Gentiles dwelt together by reason of those twenty cites, which Solomon gave to Hiram. 9:2 1 Which were captivity in Babylon: and the Prophet speaketh of that thing which should come to pass threescore years after, as though it were now done. 2 Meaning, the comfort of their deliverance.
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of the shadow of death, upon them hath the 3light shined. 3 Thou hast 1multiplied the nation, and not increased their joy: they have rejoiced before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide a spoil. 4 For the 1yoke of their burden, and the staff of their shoulder, and the rod of their oppressor hast thou broken, as in the day of Midian. 5 Surely every battle of the warrior is with noise, and with tumbling of garments in blood: but this shall be 1with burning, and devouring of fire. 6 For unto us a child is born, and unto us a Son is given: and the government is upon his shoulder, and he shall call his name, Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting 1Father, The prince of peace. 7 The increase of his government and peace shall have none end: he shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to stablish it with judgment, and with justice, from henceforth, even forever: 1the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. 8 ¶ The Lord hath sent a word into Jacob, and it lighted upon 1Israel. 9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim, and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and presumption of their heart, 10 The 1bricks are fallen, but we will build it with hewn stones: the wild fig trees are cut down, but we will change them into cedars. 11 Nevertheless, the Lord will raise up the adversaries of 1Rezin against him, and join his enemies together. 12 Aram before and the Philistines behind, and they shall devour Israel with open mouth: yet for all this his wrath is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 13 For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of hosts.
14 Therefore will the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush in one day. 15 The ancient and the honorable man, he is the head: and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. 16 For the leaders of the people cause them to err: and they that are led by them are devoured. 17 Therefore shall the Lord have no pleasure in their young men, neither will he have compassion of their fatherless and of their widows: for everyone is an hypocrite and wicked, and every mouth speaketh folly: yet for all this his wrath is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 18 For wickedness 1burneth as a fire: it devoureth the briers and the thorns, and will kindle in the thick places of the forest: and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke. 19 By the wrath of the Lord of hosts shall the land be darkened, and the people shall be as the meat of the fire: no man shall 1spare his brother. 20 And he shall snatch at the right hand, and be hungry: and he shall eat on the left hand, and shall not be satisfied: everyone shall eat the 1flesh of his own arm. 21 Manasseh Ephraim: and Ephraim Manasseh, and they both shall be against Judah: yet for all this his wrath is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 10 1 Of wicked lawmakers. 5 God will punish his people by the Assyrians and after destroy them. 21 The remnant of Israel shall be saved.
1 Woe unto them that decree wicked decrees, and 1write grievous things, 2 To keep back the poor from judgment, and to take away the judgment of the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may spoil the fatherless. 3 What will ye do now in the day of visitation, and of destruction, which shall come from 1far? to
3 This captivity and deliverance were figures of our captivity by sin, and of our deliverance by Christ through the preaching of the Gospel, Matt. 4:15, 16. 9:3 1 Their number was greater when they went into captivity, than when they returned, but their joy was greater at their return, Hag. 2:9. 9:4 1 Thou gavest them perfect joy by delivering them, and by destroying the tyrants, that had kept them in cruel bondage, as thou didst deliver them by Gideon from the Midianites, Judg. 7:21. 9:5 1 He speaketh of the deliverance of his Church, which he hath delivered miraculously from his enemies, but especially by the com ing of Christ, of whom he prophesieth in the next verse. 9:6 1 The author of eternity, and by whom the Church and every member thereof shall be preserved forever, and have immortal life. 9:7 1 His singular love and care for his elect. 9:8 1 This is another prophecy against them of Samaria, which were mockers and contemners of God's promises and menaces.
9:10 1 We were but weak, when the enemy overcame us, but we will make ourselves so strong, that we will neither care for our enemies, nor fear God's threatenings. 9:11 1 Rezin king of Syria, who was in league with Israel, was slain by the Assyrians, after whose death Aram, that is, the Syrians were against Israel, which on the other side were assailed by the Philistines. 9:18 1 Wickedness as a bellows kindleth the fire of God's wrath, which consumeth all his obstinate enemies. 9:19 1 Though there were no foreign enemy, yet they shall destroy one another. 9:20 1 Their greediness shall be insatiable, so that one brother shall eat up another, as though he should eat his own flesh. 10:1 1 Which write and pronounce a wicked sentence to oppress the poor: meaning, that the wicked magistrates, which were the chief cause of mischief, should be first punished. 10:3 1 To wit, from Assyria.
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or to whisper. 15 Shall the 1axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw exalt itself against him that moveth it? as if the rod should lift up itself against him that taketh it up, or the staff should exalt itself as it were no wood. 16 Therefore shall the Lord God of hosts send among his fat men leanness, and under his glory he shall kindle a burning, like the burning of fire. 17 And the light of Israel shall be as a 1fire, and the Holy one thereof as a flame, and it shall burn, and devour 2his thorns and his briers in one day: 18 And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful fields both soul 1and flesh: and he shall be as the 2fainting of a standard bearer. 19 And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may tell them. 20 ¶ And at that day shall the remnant of Israel and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, stay no more upon him that smote them, but shall 1stay upon the Lord, the Holy one of Israel in truth. 21 The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob unto the mighty God. 22 For though thy people, O Israel, be as the sand of the sea, yet shall the remnant of them return. The consumption 1decreed shall overflow with righteousness. 23 For the Lord God of hosts shall make the consumption even 1determined, in the midst of all the land. 24 Therefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, O my people, that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of Assyria: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee after the manner of 1Egypt. 25 But yet a very little time, and the wrath shall be consumed, and mine anger in their destruction. 26 And the Lord of hosts shall raise up a scourge for him, according to the plague of 1Midian in the rock Oreb: and as his staff was upon the 2Sea, so he
whom will ye flee for help and where will ye leave your 2glory? 4 1Without me everyone shall fall among them that are bound, and they shall fall down among the slain: yet for all this his wrath is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 5 ¶ O 1Assyria, the rod of my wrath: and the staff in their hands is mine indignation. 6 I will send 1him to a dissembling nation, and I will give him a charge against the people of my wrath to take the spoil and to take the prey, and to tread them under feet like the mire in the street. 7 But he thinketh not so, neither doth his heart esteem it so: but he imagineth to destroy and to cut off not a few nations. 8 For he saith, Are not my princes altogether Kings? 9 Is not Calno as 1Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria as Damascus? 10 Like as mine hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, seeing their idols were above Jerusalem, and above Samaria: 11 Shall not I, as I have done to Samaria, and to the idols thereof, so do to Jerusalem, and to the idols thereof? 12 ¶ But when the Lord hath accomplished 1all his work upon mount Zion and Jerusalem, I will visit the fruit of the proud heart 2of the king of Assyria, and his glorious and proud looks, 13 Because he said, By the power of mine own hand have I done it, and by my wisdom, because I am wise: therefore I have removed the borders of the people, and have spoiled their treasures, and have pulled down the inhabitants like a valiant man. 14 And mine hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people, and as one that gathereth eggs that are left, so have I gathered all the earth: and there was none to move the wing or to open the mouth,
10:3 2 Your riches and authority, that they may be safe, and that ye may receive them again. 10:4 1 Because they have forsaken me, some shall go into captivity, and the rest shall be slain. 10:5 1 God calleth for the Assyrians to be the executioners of his vengeance. 10:6 1 That is, the Assyrians against the Jews, which are but hypo crites: and in the sixth and seventh verse is declared the difference of the work of God, and of the wicked in one very thing and act: for God's intention is to chastise them for their amendment, and the Assyrians' purpose is to destroy them to enrich themselves: thus in respect of God's justice, it is God's work, but in respect of their own malice, it is the work of the devil. 10:9 1 Seeing that I have overcome as well one city as another, so that none could resist, shall Jerusalem be able to escape mine hands? 10:12 1 When he hath sufficiently chastised his people (for he begin neth at his own house) then will he burn the rods. 2 Meaning of Sennacherib.
10:15 1 Here we see that no creature is able to do anything, but as God appointeth him, and that they are all but his instruments to do his work, though the intentions be divers, as verse 6. 10:17 1 Meaning, that God is a light to comfort his people, and a fire to burn his enemies. 2 That is, the Assyrians. 10:18 1 To wit, body and soul utterly. 2 When the battle is lost and the standard taken. 10:20 1 This is the end of God's plagues toward his, to bring them to him, and to forsake all trust in others. 10:22 1 This small number which seemed to be consumed, and yet according to God's decree is saved, shall be sufficient to fill all the world with righteousness. 10:23 1 God will destroy this land as he hath determined, and after save a small portion. 10:24 1 As the Egyptians did punish thee. 10:26 1 Read Isa. 9:4. 2 When the Israelites passed through by the lifting up of Moses' rod, and the enemies were drowned, Exod. 14:28.
689 Isaiah 11:15
will lift it up after the manner of Egypt. 27 And at that day shall his burden be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck: and the yoke shall be destroyed because of 1the anointing. 28 He is come to 1Aiath: he is passed into Migron: at Michmash shall he lay up his armor. 29 They have gone over the ford: they lodged in the lodging at Geba: Ramah is afraid: Gibeah of Saul is fled away. 30 Lift up thy voice, O daughter Gallim, cause Laish to hear, O poor Anathoth. 31 Madmenah is removed: the inhabitants of Gebim have gathered themselves together. 32 Yet there is a time that he will stay at Nob: he shall lift up his hand toward the mount of the daughter Zion, the hill of Jerusalem. 33 Behold, the Lord God of hosts shall cut off the 1bough with fear, and they of high stature shall be cut off, and the high shall be humbled. 34 And he shall cut away the thick places of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall have a mighty fall. 11 1 Christ born of the root of Jesse. 2 His virtues and kingdom. 6 The fruits of the Gospel. 10 The calling of the Gentiles.
his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5 And justice shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. 6 The 1wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie with the kid, and the calf, and the lion, and the fat beast together, and a little child shall lead them. 7 And the cow and the bear shall feed: their young ones shall lie together: and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock. 8 And the sucking child shall play upon the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand upon the cockatrice hole. 9 Then shall none hurt nor destroy in all the mountain of mine holiness: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as 1the waters that cover the sea. 10 And in that day the root of Jesse, which shall stand up for a sign unto the 1people, the nations shall seek unto it, and his 2rest shall be glorious. 11 And in the same day shall the Lord stretch out his hand 1again the second time, to possess the remnant of his people, (which shall be left) of Assyria, and of Egypt, and of Pathros, and of Ethiopia, and of Elam, and of Shinar, and of Hamath, and of the isles of the sea. 12 And he shall set up a sign to the nations, and assemble the dispersed of Israel, and gather the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the world. 13 The hatred also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy 1Judah, neither shall Judah vex Ephraim: 14 But they shall flee upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the West: they shall spoil them of the East together: Edom and Moab shall be the stretching out of their hands, and the children of Ammon in their obedience. 15 The Lord also shall utterly destroy the 1tongue of the Egyptian's sea, and with his mighty wind shall
1 But there shall come a 1rod forth of the stock of Jesse, and a grass shall grow out of his roots. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord, 3 And shall make him prudent in the fear of the Lord: for he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove by the hearing of his ears. 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and with equity shall he reprove for the meek of the earth: and he shall 1smite the earth with the rod of
10:27 1 Because of the promise made to that kingdom, whereby Christ's kingdom was prefigured. 10:28 1 He describeth by what way the Assyrians should come against Jerusalem, to confirm the faithful, when it should come to pass, that as their plague was come, so should they be delivered. 10:33 1 Fear and destruction shall come upon Judah for the princes and the people shall be all led away captives. 11:1 1 Because the captivity of Babylon was a figure of the spiritual captivity under sin, he showeth that our true deliverance must come by Christ: for as David came out of Jesse a man without dignity, so Christ should come of a poor carpenter's house as out of a dead stock, Isa. 53:2. 11:4 1 All these properties can agree to none, but only unto Christ: for it is he that toucheth the hearts of the faithful, and mortifieth their concupiscences: and to the wicked he is the savor of death, and to them that shall perish: so that all the world shall be smitten with his rod, which is his word.
11:6 1 Men because of their wicked affections are named by the names of beasts, wherein the like affections reign: but Christ by his Spirit shall reform them, and work in them such mutual charity, that they shall be like lambs, favoring and loving one another, and cast off all their cruel affections, Isa. 65:25. 11:9 1 It shall be in as great abundance as the waters in the sea. 11:10 1 He prophesieth of the calling of the Gentiles. 2 That is, the Church, which he also calleth his rest, Ps. 132:14. 11:11 1 For God first delivered his people out of Egypt, and now promiseth to deliver them out of their enemies' hands as from the Parthians, Persians, Chaldeans, and them of Antiochia, among whom they were dispersed: and this is chiefly meant of Christ, who calleth his people being dispersed through all the world. 11:13 1 Here he describeth the consent that shall be in his Church, and their victory against their enemies. 11:15 1 Meaning, a corner of the sea, that entereth into the land, and hath the form of a tongue.
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lift up his hand 2over the river, and shall smite him in his seven streams, and cause men to walk therein with shoes. 16 And there shall be a path to the remnant of his people which are left of Assyria, like as it was unto Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt. 12 A thanksgiving of the faithful for the mercies of God.
of the nations gathered together: the Lord of hosts numbereth the host of the battle. 5 They come from a far country, from the end of the heaven: even the Lord with the 1weapons of his wrath to destroy the whole land. 6 Howl 1you, for the day of the Lord is at hand: it shall come as a destroyer from the Almighty. 7 Therefore shall all hands be weakened, and all men's hearts shall melt. 8 And they shall be afraid: anguish and sorrow shall take them, and they shall have pain, as a woman that travaileth: everyone shall be amazed at his neighbor, and their faces shall be like 1flames of fire. 9 Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger to lay the land waste: and he shall destroy the sinners out of it. 10 For the 1stars of heaven and the planets thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. 11 And I will visit the wickedness upon the 1world, and their iniquity upon the wicked, and I will cause the arrogancy of the 2proud to cease, and will cast down the pride of tyrants. 12 I will make a 1man more precious than fine gold, even a man above the wedge of gold of Ophir. 13 Therefore I will shake the heaven, and the earth shall remove out of her place in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. 14 And 1it shall be as a chased Doe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up; every man shall turn to his own people, and flee each one to his own land. 15 Everyone that is found, shall be stricken through: and whosoever joineth himself, shall fall by the sword. 16 aTheir 1children also shall be broken in pieces before their eyes: their houses shall be spoiled; and their wives ravished.
chapter 12
a Exod. 15:2
Ps. 118:14
b 1 Chron. 16:8
chapter 13
a Ps. 137:9
1 And thou 1shalt say in that day, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thy wrath is turned away, and thou comfortest me. 2 Behold, God is my 1salvation: I will trust, and will not fear: for the Lord God is amy strength and song: he is also become my salvation. 3 Therefore with joy shall ye 1draw waters out of the wells of salvation. 4 And ye shall say in that day, bPraise the Lord: call upon his Name: declare his works among the people: make mention of them, for his Name is exalted. 5 Sing unto the Lord, for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the world. 6 Cry out, and shout, 1O inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy one of Israel in the midst of thee. 13 The Medes and Persians shall destroy Babylon.
1 The 1burden of Babel, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see. 2 Lift up a standard upon the high mountain: lift up the voice unto them: wag the 1hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles. 3 I have commanded them, that I have 1sanctified: and I have called the mighty to my wrath, and them that rejoice in my 2glory. 4 The noise of a multitude is in the mountains like a great people: a tumultuous voice of the kingdoms
11:15 2 To wit, Nile, the great river of Egypt, which entereth into the sea with seven streams. 12:1 1 He showeth how the Church shall praise God, when they are delivered from their captivity. 12:2 1 Our salvation standeth only in God, who giveth us an assured confidence, constancy, and occasion, to praise him for the same. 12:3 1 The graces of God shall be so abundant, that ye may receive them in as great plenty, as waters out of a fountain that is full. 12:6 1 Ye that are of the Church. 13:1 1 That is, the great calamity, which was prophesied to come on Babel, as a most grievous burden, which they were not able to bear. In these twelve chapters following, he speaketh of the plagues wherewith God would smite the strange nations (whom they knew) to declare that God chastised the Israelites as his children, and these others as his enemies: and also if that God spare not these that are ignorant, that they must not think strange, if he punish them which have knowledge of his Law, and keep it not. 13:2 1 To wit, the Medes and Persians.
13:3 1 That is, prepared and appointed to execute my judgments. 2 Which willingly go about to the work whereunto I appoint them, but how the wicked do this, read Isa. 10:6. 13:5 1 The army of the Medes and the Persians against Babylon. 13:6 1 Ye Babylonians. 13:8 1 The Babylonians' anger and grief shall be so much, that their faces shall burn as fire. 13:10 1 They that are overcome shall think that all the powers of heaven and earth are against them, Ezek. 32:7; Joel 3:15; Matt. 24:29. 13:11 1 He compareth Babylon to the whole world, because they so esteemed themselves by reason of their great empire. 2 He noteth the principal vice, whereunto they are most given, as are all that abound in wealth. 13:12 1 He noteth the great slaughter that shall be, seeing the enemy shall neither for gold, or silver spare a man's life, as verse 17. 13:14 1 Meaning, the power of Babylon with their hired soldiers. 13:16 1 This was not accomplished when Cyrus took Babylon, but after the death of Alexander the great.
691 Isaiah 14:19
and the scepter of the rulers: 6 Which smote the people in anger with a continual plague, and ruled the nations in wrath: if any were persecuted, he did 1not let. 7 The whole world is at 1rest and is quiet: they sing for joy. 8 Also the fir trees rejoiced of thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no hewer came up against us. 9 Hell beneath is moved for thee to 1meet thee at thy coming, raising up the dead for thee, even all the princes of the earth, and hath raised from their thrones all the Kings of the nations. 10 All they shall cry and say unto thee, Art thou become weak also as we? art thou become like unto us? 11 Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the sound of the viols: the worm 1is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O 1Lucifer, son of the morning? and cut down to the ground, which didst cast lots upon the nations? 13 Yet thou saidest in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, and exalt my throne above beside the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the 1North. 14 I will ascend above the height of the clouds, and I will be like the most high. 15 But thou shalt be brought down to the grave, to the side of the pit. 16 They that see thee, shall 1look upon thee and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, and that did shake the kingdoms? 17 He made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof, and opened not 1the house of his prisoners. 18 All the kings of the nations, even they all sleep in glory, everyone in his own house. 19 But thou art 1cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch: like the raiment of those that are slain, and thrust through with a sword, which go
17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver, nor be desirous of gold. 18 With bows also shall they destroy the children, and shall have no compassion upon the fruit of the womb, and their eyes shall not spare the children. 19 And Babel the glory of kingdoms, the beauty and pride of the Chaldeans, shall be as the destruction of God bin Sodom and Gomorrah. 20 It shall not be inhabited forever, neither shall it be dwelled in from generation to generation: neither shall the 1Arabian pitch his tents there, neither shall their shepherds make their folds there. 21 But 1Zijm shall lodge there, and their houses shall be full of Ohim: Ostriches shall dwell there, and the Satyrs shall dance there. 22 And Iim shall cry in their palaces, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and the time thereof is ready to come, and the days thereof shall not be prolonged. 14 1 The return of the people from captivity. 4 The derision of the King of Babylon. 11 The death of the king. 29 The destruction of the Philistines.
b Gen. 19:24
Jer. 50:40
1 For 1the Lord will have compassion of Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and cause them to rest in their own land: and the stranger 2shall join himself unto them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. 2 And the people shall receive them and bring them to their own place, and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the Lord, for 1servants and handmaids: and they shall take them prisoners, whose captives they were, and have rule over their oppressors. 3 ¶ And in that day when the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the sore bondage, wherein thou didst serve, 4 Then shalt thou take up this proverb against the King of Babel, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased? and the gold thirsty Babel rested? 5 The Lord hath broken the rod of the wicked,
13:20 1 Who useth to go from country to country to find pasture for their beasts, but there shall they find none. 13:21 1 Which were either wild beasts, or fowls, or wicked spirits, whereby Satan deluded man, as by the fairies, goblins, and such like fantasies. 14:1 1 He showeth why God will haste to destroy his enemies, to wit, because he will deliver his Church. 2 Meaning, that the Gentiles shalt be joined with the Church, and worship God. 14:2 1 Signifying, that the Jews should be superiors to the Gentiles, and that they should be brought under the service of Christ by the preaching of the Apostles, whereby all are brought to the subjection of Christ, 2 Cor. 10:5. 14:6 1 That is, he suffered all violence and injuries to be done. 14:7 1 Meaning, that when tyrants reign, there can be no rest nor quietness, and also how detestable a thing tyranny is, seeing the
insensible creatures have occasion to rejoice at their destruction. 14:9 1 As though they feared, lest thou shouldest trouble the dead, as thou didst the living: and here he derideth the proud tyranny of the wicked, which know not that all creatures wish their destruction, that they may rejoice. 14:11 1 Instead of thy costly carpets and coverings. 14:12 1 Thou that thoughtest thyself most glorious, and as it were placed in the heaven: for the morning star that goeth before the sun, is called Lucifer, to whom Nebuchadnezzar is compared. 14:13 1 Meaning, Jerusalem, whereof the Temple was of the North side, Ps. 48:2, whereby he meaneth that tyrants fight against God, when they persecute his Church, and would set themselves in his place. 14:16 1 In marveling at thee. 14:17 1 To set them at liberty: noting his cruelty. 14:19 1 Thou wast not buried in the sepulchre of thy fathers, thy tyranny was so abhorred.
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down to the stones of the pit, as a carcass trodden under feet. 20 Thou shalt not be joined with them in the grave, because thou hast destroyed thine own land, and slain thy people: the seed of the wicked shall not be renowned forever. 21 1Prepare a slaughter for his children, for the iniquity of their fathers: let them not rise up nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with enemies. 22 ¶ For I will rise up against them (saith the Lord of hosts) and will cut off from Babel the name and the remnant, and the son, and the nephew, saith the Lord: 23 And I will make it a possession to the 1hedgehog, and pools of water, and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the Lord of hosts. 24 The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely like as I have purposed, so shall it come to pass, and as I have consulted, it shall stand: 25 1That I will break to pieces Assyria in my land, and upon my mountains will I tread him under foot, so that his yoke shall depart from 2them, and his burden shall be taken from off their shoulder. 26 This is the counsel that is consulted upon the whole world, and this is the hand stretched out over all the nations, 27 Because the Lord of hosts hath determined, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it away? 28 ¶ In the year that king Ahaz died, was this 1burden. 29 Rejoice not, (thou whole 1Philistia) because the rod of him that did beat thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and the fruit thereof shall be a fiery flying serpent. 30 For the 1first born of the poor shall be fed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and 2it shall slay thy remnant. 31 Howl, O gate, cry, O city: thou whole land of
Philistia art dissolved, for there shall come from the 1North a smoke, and none shall be 2alone, at his time appointed. 32 What shall then one answer the 1messengers of the Gentiles? that the Lord hath stablished 2Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it. 15 A prophecy against Moab.
1 The 1burden of Moab. Surely 2Ar of Moab was destroyed, and brought to silence in a night: surely Kir of Moab was destroyed, and brought to silence in a night. 2 1He shall go up to the Temple, and to Dibon to the high places to weep: for 2Nebo and for Medeba shall Moab howl: upon all 3their heads shall be baldness, and every beard shaven. 3 In their streets shall they be girded with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets everyone shall howl, and come down with weeping. 4 And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard unto Jahaz: therefore the warriors of Moab shall shout: the soul of everyone shall lament in himself. 5 Mine 1heart shall cry for Moab: his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, 2an heifer of three years old: for they shall go up with weeping by the mounting up of Luhith: and by the way of Horonaim they 3shall raise up a cry of destruction. 6 For the waters of Nimrim shall be dried up: therefore the grass is withered, the herbs consumed, and there was no green herb. 7 Therefore what every man hath left, and their substance shall they bear to the 1brook of the willows. 8 For the cry went round about the borders of Moab, and the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the skriking thereof unto Beer Elim, 9 Because the waters of Dimon shall be full 1of blood: for I will bring more upon Dimon, even
14:21 1 He called to the Medes and Persians, and all those that should execute God's vengeance. 14:23 1 Or, tortoise. 14:25 1 As I have begun to destroy the Assyrians in Sennacherib: so will I continue, and destroy them wholly, when I shall deliver you from Babylon. 2 From the Jews. 14:28 1 Read Isa. 13:1. 14:29 1 He willeth the Philistines not to rejoice because the Jews are diminished in their power, for their strength shall be greater than ever it was. 14:30 1 The Israelites, which were brought to most extreme misery. 2 To wit, my people. 14:31 1 That is, from the Jews or Assyrians: for they were brought to most extreme misery. 2 But they shall be all ready, and join together. 14:32 1 Which shall come to inquire of the state of the Church. 2 They shall answer that the Lord doth defend his Church, and
them that join themselves thereunto. 15:1 1 Read Isa. 13:1. 2 The chief city, whereby the whole country was meant. 15:2 1 The Moabites shall flee to their idols for succor, but it shall be too late. 2 Which were cites of Moab. 3 For as in the west parts the people used to let their hair grow long, when they mourned, so in the East part they cut it off. 15:5 1 The Prophet speaketh this in the person of the Moabites: or as one that felt the great judgment of God that God should come upon them. 2 Meaning, that it was a city that ever lived in pleasure, and never felt sorrow. 3 He describeth the miserable dissipation and flight of the Moabites. 15:7 1 To hide themselves, and their goods there. 15:9 1 Of them that are slain.
693 Isaiah 17:5
lions 2upon him that escapeth of Moab, and to the remnant of the land. 16 The causes wherefore the Moabites are destroyed.
I will make thee drunk with my tears, because upon thy summer fruits, and upon thy harvest 2a shouting is fallen. 10 And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field: and in the vineyards shall be no singing nor shouting for joy: the treader shall not tread wine in the wine presses: I have caused the rejoicing to cease. 11 Wherefore, my 1bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kir Heres. 12 And when it shall appear that Moab shall be weary of his high places, then shall he come to his 1temple to pray, but he shall not prevail. 13 This is the word that the Lord hath spoken against Moab since that time. 14 And now the Lord hath spoken, saying, 1In three years as the years of an 2hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned in all the great multitude, and the remnant shall be very small and feeble. 17 1 A prophecy of the destruction of Damascus and Ephraim, 7 calamity moveth to repentance.
1 Send 1ye a lamb to the ruler of the world from the rock of the wilderness, unto the mountain of the daughter Zion. 2 For it shall be as a bird that 1flieth, and a nest forsaken: the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon. 3 Gather a counsel, execute judgment, 1make thy shadow as the night in the midday: hide them that are chased out: bewray not him that is fled. 4 Let my banished dwell with thee: Moab, be thou their covert from the face of the destroyer: for the extortioner 1shall end: the destroyer shall be consumed, and the oppressor shall cease out of the land. 5 And in mercy shall the throne be prepared, 1and he shall sit upon it in steadfastness, in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting justice. 6 We have heard of the pride of Moab (he is very proud) even his pride, and his arrogancy, and his indignation, but his 1lies shall not be so. 7 Therefore shall Moab howl unto Moab, everyone shall howl: for the foundations of Kir Hareseth shall ye mourn, yet they shall be 1stricken. 8 For the vineyards of Heshbon are cut down, and the vine of Sibmah: 1the lords of the heathen have broken the principal vines thereof: they are come unto 2Jazer: they wandered in the wilderness: her goodly branches stretched out themselves, and went over the sea. 9 Therefore will 1I weep with the weeping of Jazer, and of the vine of Sibmah, O Heshbon: and Elealeh,
1 The 1burden of 2Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, for it shall be a ruinous heap. 2 The cities of 1Aroer shall be forsaken: they shall be for the flocks: for they shall lie there, and none shall make them afraid. 3 The munition also shall cease from 1Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Aram shall be as the 2glory of the children of Israel, saith the Lord of hosts. 4 And in that day the glory of 1Jacob shall be made clean. 5 And it shall be as when the harvest man gathereth 1the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm,
2 So that by no means they should escape the hand of God: thus will God punish the enemies of his Church. 16:1 1 That is, offer a sacrifice, whereby he derideth their long delay, which would not repent when the Lord called them, showing them that it is now too late, seeing the vengeance of God is upon them. 16:2 1 There is no remedy, but you must flee. 16:3 1 He showeth what Moab should have done, when Israel their neighbor was in affliction, to whom because they would give no shadow nor comfort, they are now left comfortless. 16:4 1 The Assyrians shall oppress the Israelites, but for a while. 16:5 1 Meaning, Christ. 16:6 1 Their vain confidence, and proud brags shall deceive them, Jer. 48:2. 16:7 1 For all your mourning, yet the city shall be destroyed, even unto the foundation. 16:8 1 That is, the Assyrians and other enemies. 2 Meaning, that the country of Moab was now destroyed, and all the precious things thereof were carried into the borders, yea into other countries, and over the sea. 16:9 1 He showeth that their plague was so great, that it would have moved any man to lament with them, as Ps. 141:5.
2 The enemies are come upon thee, and shout for joy, when they carry thy commodities from thee, as Jer. 48:33. 16:11 1 For very sorrow and compassion. 16:12 1 They shall use all means to seek help of their idols, and all in vain: for Chemosh their great god shall not be able to help them. 16:14 1 He appointed a certain time to punish the enemies in. 2 Who will observe justly the time for the which he is hired, and serve no longer, but will ever long for it. 17:1 1 Read Isa. 13:1. 2 The chief city of Syria. 17:2 1 It was a country of Syria by the river Arnon. 17:3 1 It seemeth that the Prophet would comfort the Church in declaring the destruction of these two kings of Syria and Israel, when as they had conspired the overthrow of Judah. 2 The ten tribes gloried in their multitude and alliance with other nations: therefore he saith that they shall be brought down, and the Syrians also. 17:4 1 Meaning, of the ten tribes, which boasted themselves of their nobility, prosperity, strength and multitude. 17:5 1 As the abundance of corn doth not fear the harvest men that should cut it down: no more shall the multitude of Israel make the enemies to shrink, whom God shall appoint to destroy them.
Isaiah 17:6 694
18 1 Of the enemies of the Church. 7 And of the vocation of the Gentiles.
and he shall be as he that gathereth the ears in the valley of 2Rephaim. 6 Yet a gathering of grapes shall 1be left in it: as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries are in the top of the upmost boughs, and four or five in the high branches of the fruit thereof, saith the Lord God of Israel. 7 At that day shall a man look to his 1maker, and his eyes shall look to the holy one of Israel. 8 And he shall not look to the altars, the works of his own hands, neither shall he look to those things which his own fingers have made, as groves and images. 9 In that day shall the cities of their strength be as the forsaking of boughs and branches, which 1they did forsake, because of the children of Israel, and there shall be desolation. 10 Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not remembered the God of thy strength, therefore shalt thou set pleasant plants, and shalt graft strange 1vine branches. 11 In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be gone in the day 1of possession, and there shall be desperate sorrow. 12 1Ah, the multitude of many people, they shall make a sound like the noise of the sea: for the noise of the people shall make a sound like the noise of mighty waters. 13 The people shall make a sound like the noise of many waters: but God shall 1rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and as a rolling thing before the whirlwind. 14 And lo, in the evening there is 1trouble: but afore the morning it is gone. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.
1 Oh, the 1land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, 2 Sending ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of 1reeds upon the waters, saying, 2Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation that is scattered abroad, and spoiled, unto a terrible 3people from their beginning even hitherto: a nation by little and little even trodden under foot: whose land the 4floods have spoiled. 3 All ye the inhabitants of the world, and dwellers in the earth, shall see when 1he setteth up a sign in the mountains, and when he bloweth the trumpet, ye shall hear. 4 For so the Lord said unto me, I will 1rest and behold in my tabernacle, as 2the heat drying up the rain, and as a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. 5 For afore the harvest, when the flour is finished, and the fruit is ripening in the flour, then he shall cut down the branches with hooks, and shall take away, and cut off the boughs: 6 They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the 1beasts of the earth: for the fowl shall summer upon it, and every beast of the earth shall winter upon it. 7 At that time shall a 1present be brought unto the Lord of hosts (a people that is scattered abroad, and spoiled, and of a terrible people from their beginning hitherto, a nation by little and little even trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled) to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, even the mount Zion. 19 1 The destruction of the Egyptians by the Assyrians. 18 Of their conversion to the Lord.
1 The 1burden of Egypt. Behold, the Lord
17:5 2 Which valley was plentiful and fertile. 17:6 1 Because God would have his covenant stable, he promiseth to reserve some of this people, and to bring them to repentance. 17:7 1 He showeth that God's corrections ever bring forth some fruit, and cause his to turn from their sins, and to humble themselves to him. 17:9 1 As the Canaanites left their cities when God did place the Israelites there, so the cities of Israel shall no more be able to defend their inhabitants than bushes, when God shall send the enemy to plague them. 17:10 1 Which are excellent, and brought out of other countries. 17:11 1 As the Lord threateneth the wicked in his Law, Lev. 26:16. 17:12 1 The Prophet lamenteth, considering the horrible plague that was prepared against Israel by the Assyrians, which were infinite in number, and gathered of many nations. 17:13 1 He addeth this for the consolation of the faithful which were in Israel. 17:14 1 He compareth the enemies the Assyrians to a tempest, which riseth overnight, and in the morning is gone. 18:1 1 He meaneth that part of Ethiopia, which lieth toward the sea, which was so full of ships that the sails (which he compareth to
wings) seemed to shadow the sea. 18:2 1 Which in those countries were great, insomuch as they made ships of them for swiftness. 2 This may be taken, that they sent others to comfort the Jews, and to promise them help against their enemies, and so the Lord did threaten to take away their strength, that the Jews should not trust therein: or that they did solicit the Egyptians, and promised them aid to go against Judah. 3 To wit, the Jews, who because of God's plague, made all other nations afraid of the like, as God threatened, Deut. 28:37. 4 Meaning, the Assyrians, as Isa. 8:7. 18:3 1 When the Lord prepared to fight against the Ethiopians. 18:4 1 I will stay a while from punishing the wicked. 2 Which two seasons are most profitable for the ripening of fruits, whereby he meaneth, that he will seem to favor them, and give them abundance for a time, but he will suddenly cut them off. 18:6 1 Not only men shall contemn them, but the brute beasts. 18:7 1 Meaning, that God will pity his Church, and receive that little remnant as an offering unto himself. 19:1 1 Read Isa. 13:7.
695 Isaiah 19:21
2rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt, and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of her. 2 And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: so everyone shall 1fight against his brother, and everyone against his neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. 3 And the 1spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst of her, and I will destroy their counsel, and they shall seek at the idols, and at the sorcerers, and at them that have spirits of divination, and at the soothsayers. 4 And I will deliver the Egyptians into the hand of the cruel lords, and a mighty king shall rule over them, saith the Lord God of hosts. 5 Then the waters of the sea shall 1fail, and the river shall be dried up, and wasted. 6 And the 1rivers shall go far away: the rivers of defense shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall be cut down. 7 The grass in the river, and at the 1head of the rivers, and all that groweth by the river shall wither, and be driven away, and be no more. 8 The fishers also shall 1mourn, and all they that cast angle into the river, shall lament, and they that spread their net upon the waters, shall be weakened. 9 Moreover, they that work in flax of divers sorts, shall be confounded, and they that weave nets. 10 For their nets shall be broken, and all they that make ponds shall be heavy in heart. 11 Surely the princes of 1Zoan are fools: the counsel of the wise counselors of Pharaoh, is become foolish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I 2am the son of the wise? I am the son of the ancient kings?
12 Where are now the wise men, that they may tell thee, or may know what the Lord of hosts hath determined against Egypt? 13 The princes of Zoan are become fools: the princes of 1Noph are deceived, they have deceived Egypt, even the 2corners of the tribes thereof. 14 The Lord hath mingled among them the spirits 1of errors: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man erreth in his vomit. 15 Neither shall there be any work in Egypt, which the head may 1do, nor the tail, the branch nor the rush. 16 In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: for it shall be afraid and fear because of the moving of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which he shaketh over it. 17 And the land of Judah shall be a fear 1unto Egypt: everyone that maketh mention of it, shall be afraid thereat, because of the counsel of the Lord of hosts, which he hath determined upon it. 18 In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt 1speak the language of Canaan, and shall 2swear by the Lord of hosts: one shall be called the city of 3destruction. 19 In that day shall the altar of the Lord be in the midst of the land of Egypt, and 1a pillar by the border thereof unto the Lord. 20 And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the Lord, because of the oppressors, and he shall send them 1a Savior, and a great man, and shall deliver them. 21 And the Lord shall be known of the Egyptians, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and do 1sacrifice and oblation, and shall vow vows unto the Lord, and perform them.
2 Because the Egyptians trusted in the defense of their country, in the multitude of their idols, and in the valiantness of their men, the Lord showeth that he will come over all their munitions in a swift cloud, and that their idols shall tremble at his coming and that men's hearts shall faint. 19:2 1 As he caused the Ammonites, Moabites and Idumeans to kill one another, when they came to destroy the Church of God, 2 Chron. 20:22; Isa. 49:26. 19:3 1 Meaning, their policy and wisdom. 19:5 1 He showeth that the sea and Nile their great river, whereby they thought themselves most sure, should not be able to defend them from his anger, but that he would send the Assyrians among them, that should keep them under as slaves. 19:6 1 For the Nile ran into the sea by seven streams, as though they were so many rivers. 19:7 1 The Hebrew word is mouth, whereby they mean the spring out of the which the water gusheth as out of a mouth. 19:8 1 The Scriptures used to describe the destruction of a country by taking away of the commodities thereof, as by vines, flesh, fish, and such other things, whereby countries are enriched. 19:11 1 Called also Tanis, a famous city upon the Nile. 2 He noteth the flatterers of Pharaoh: who persuaded the king that he was wise and noble, and that his house was most ancient, and so
he flattered himself, saying, I am wise. 19:13 1 Or, Memphis, others Alexandria, and now called the great Cairo. 2 The principal upholders thereof are the chiefest cause of their destruction. 19:14 1 For the spirit of wisdom he hath made them drunken and giddy with the spirit of error. 19:15 1 Neither the great nor the small, the strong nor the weak. 19:17 1 Considering that through their occasion the Jews made not God their defense: but put their trust in them, and were therefore now punished, they shall fear lest the like light upon them. 19:18 1 Shall make one confession of faith with the people of God: by the speech of Canaan, meaning the language wherein God was then served. 2 Shall renounce their superstitions and protest to serve God aright. 3 Meaning, of six cities, five should serve God, and the sixth remain in their wickedness: and so of the sixth part there should be but one lost. 19:19 1 There shall be evident signs and tokens, that God's religion is there: which manner of speech is taken of the Patriarchs and ancient times, when God hath not as yet appointed the place, and full man ner how he would be worshipped. 19:20 1 This declareth that this prophecy should be accomplished in the time of Christ. 19:21 1 By these ceremonies he comprehendeth the spiritual ser vice under Christ.
Isaiah 19:22 696
21 1 Of the destruction of Babylon by the Persians and Medes. 11 The ruin of Idumea, 13 and of Arabia.
22 So the Lord shall smite Egypt, he shall smite and heal it: for he shall return unto the Lord, and he shall be entreated of them and shall heal them. 23 In that day shall there be a path from 1Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria shall come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria: so the Egyptians shall worship with Assyria. 24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and Assyria: even a blessing in the midst of the land. 25 For the Lord of hosts shall bless it, saying, Blessed be my people Egypt and Assyria, the work of mine hands, and Israel mine inheritance. 20 2 The three years captivity of Egypt and Ethiopia described by the three years going naked of Isaiah.
chapter 21
a Jer. 51:8
Rev. 14:8
1 The burden of the 1desert sea. As the whirlwinds in the South used to pass from the wilderness, so shall it 2come from the horrible land. 2 A grievous vision was showed unto me, The
1Transgressor against a transgressor, and the destroyer against a destroyer. Go up 2Elam, besiege Media: I have caused all the mourning 3thereof to cease. 3 Therefore are my 1loins filled with sorrow: sorrows have taken me as the sorrows of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down when I heard it, and I was amazed when I saw it. 4 Mine heart failed: fearfulness troubled me: the night 1of my pleasures hath he turned into fear unto me. 5 Prepare thou the table: watch in the watch tower: eat, drink: 1arise, ye princes, anoint the shield: 6 For thus hath the 1Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, to tell what he seeth. 7 And he saw a chariot with two horsemen: 1a chariot of an ass, and a chariot of a camel: and he hearkened and took diligent heed. 8 And he cried, A 1lion: my Lord, I stand continually upon the watch tower in the daytime, and I am set in my watch every night: 9 And behold, this man's chariot cometh with two horsemen. And 1he answered and said, aBabel is fallen: it is fallen, and all the images of her gods hath he broken unto the ground. 10 O 1my threshing, and the 2corn of my floor. That which I have heard of the Lord of hosts the God of Israel, have I showed unto you. 11 ¶ The burden of 1Dumah, he calleth unto me out of 2Seir, Watchman, what was in the night? Watchman, what was in the night?
1 In the year that 1Tartan came to 2Ashdod, (when 3Sargon king of Assyria sent him) and had fought against Ashdod, and taken it, 2 At the same time spake the Lord by the hand of Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go, and loose the 1sackcloth from thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. 3 And the Lord said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years as a sign and wonder upon Egypt, and Ethiopia, 4 So shall the king of Assyria take away the captivity of Egypt, and the captivity of Ethiopia, both young men and old men, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. 5 And they shall fear, and be ashamed of 1Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their 2glory. 6 Then shall the inhabitants of this 1isle say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we fled for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria, and how shall we be delivered?
19:23 1 By these two nations, which were then chief enemies of the Church, he showeth that the Gentiles and the Jews should be joined together in one faith and religion, and should be all one fold under Christ their shepherd. 20:1 1 Who was captain of Sennacherib, 2 Kings 18:17. 2 A city of the Philistines. 3 The Hebrews write that Sennacherib was so called. 20:2 1 Which signifieth that the Prophet did lament the misery that he saw prepared, before the three years that he went naked and barefooted. 20:5 1 In whose aid they trusted. 2 Of whom they boasted and gloried. 20:6 1 Meaning, Judea, which was compassed about with their enemies, as an isle with waters. 21:1 1 On the seaside between Judea and Chaldea was a wilderness, whereby he meaneth Chaldea. 2 That is, the ruin of Babylon by the Medes and Persians. 21:2 1 The Assyrians and Chaldeans, which had destroyed other nations, shall be overcome of the Medes and Persians: and this he prophesied an hundred years before it came to pass.
2 By Elam he meaneth the Persians. 3 Because they shall find no succor, they shall mourn no more, or, I have caused them to cease mourning, whom Babylon had afflicted. 21:3 1 This the Prophet speaketh in the person of the Babylonians. 21:4 1 He prophesieth the death of Belshazzar, as Dan. 5:30, who in the midst of his pleasures was destroyed. 21:5 1 While they are eating and drinking, they shall be commanded to run to their weapons. 21:6 1 To wit, in a vision by the spirit of prophecy. 21:7 1 Meaning, chariots of men of war, and others that carried the baggage. 21:8 1 Meaning, Darius, which overcame Babylon. 21:9 1 The watchman whom Isaiah set up, told him who came toward Babylon, and the Angel declared that it should be destroyed: all this was done in a vision. 21:10 1 Meaning, Babylon. 2 Hebrew, son. 21:11 1 Which was a city of the Ishmaelites, and was so named of Dumah, Gen. 25:14. 2 A mountain of the Idumeans.
697 Isaiah 22:15
12 The watchman said, The 1morning cometh, and also the night. If ye will as he, inquire: return and come. 13 ¶ The burden against Arabia. In 1the forest of Arabia shall ye tarry all night, even in the ways of Dedanites. 14 O inhabitants of the land of Tema, bring forth
of the daughter of my people. 5 For it is a day of trouble, and of ruin, and of perplexity by the Lord God of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the city: and a 1crying unto the mountains. 6 ¶ And Elam 1bare the quiver in a man's chariot with horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield. 7 And thy chief valleys were full of chariots, and the horsemen set themselves in array against the gate. 8 And he discovered the 1covering of Judah: and thou didst look in that day to the armor of the house of the forest. 9 And ye have seen 1the breaches of the city of David: for they were many, and ye gathered the waters of the lower pool. 10 And ye numbered the houses 1of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall, 11 And have also made a ditch between the two walls, for the 1waters of the old pool, and have not looked unto the maker 2thereof, neither had respect unto him that formed it of old. 12 And in that day did the Lord God of hosts call unto weeping and mourning, and to baldness and girding with sackcloth. 13 And behold, joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine, 1eating and drinking, for tomorrow we shall die. 14 And it was declared in the ears of the Lord of hosts. Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you, till ye die, saith the Lord God of hosts. 15 Thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Go, get thee to that 1treasurer, to Shebna, the steward of the house, and say,
1water to meet the thirsty, and prevent him that fleeth with his bread. 15 For they flee from the drawn swords, even from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war. 16 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Yet a year 1according to the years of an 2hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail. 17 And the residue of the number of the strong archers of the sons of 1Kedar shall be few: for the Lord God of Israel hath spoken it. 22 1 He prophesieth of the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. 15 A threatening against Shebna. 20 To whose office Eliakim is preferred.
1 The burden of the 1valley of vision. What 2aileth thee now that thou art wholly gone up unto the house tops? 2 Thou that art full of 1noise, a city full of brute, a joyous city, thy slain men shall not be slain 2with sword, nor die in battle. 3 All thy princes shall flee together from the bow: they shall be 1bound: all that shall be found in thee, shall be bound together, which have fled from 2far. 4 Therefore said I, Turn away from me, I will weep 1bitterly: labor not to comfort me for the destruction
21:12 1 He describeth the unquietness of the people of Dumah, who were night and day in fear of their enemies, and ever ran to and fro to inquire news. 21:13 1 For fear, the Arabians shall flee into the woods, and he appointeth what way they shall take. 21:14 1 Signifying, that for fear they shall not tarry to eat nor drink. 21:16 1 He appointeth them respite for one year only, and then they should be destroyed. 2 Read Isa. 16:14. 21:17 1 Which was the name of a people of Arabia: and by the hor rible destruction of all these nations, he teacheth the Jews that there is no place for refuge or to escape God's wrath, but only to remain in his Church, and to live in his fear. 22:1 1 Meaning, Judea, which was compassed about with moun tains, and was called the valley of visions, because of the Prophets, which were always there, whom they named Seers. 2 He speaketh to Jerusalem, whose inhabitants were fled up to the housetops for fear of their enemies. 22:2 1 Which was wont to be full of people and joy. 2 But for hunger. 22:3 1 And led into captivity. 2 Which have fled from other places to Jerusalem for succor. 22:4 1 He showeth what is the duty of the godly, when God's plagues hang over the Church, and especially of the ministers, Jer. 9:1. 22:5 1 That is, the shout of the enemies whom God had appointed
to destroy the city. 22:6 1 He putteth them in mind how God delivered them once from Sennacherib, who brought the Persians and Cyrenians with him, that they might by returning to God avoid that great plague which they should else suffer by Nebuchadnezzar. 22:8 1 The secret place where the armor was: to wit, in the house of the forest, 1 Kings 7:2. 22:9 1 Ye forfeited the ruinous places which were neglected in times of peace: meaning, the whole City, and the City of David, which was within the compass of the other. 22:10 1 Either to pull down such as might hurt, or else to know what men they were able to make. 22:11 1 To provide if need should be of water. 2 To God that made Jerusalem: that is, they trusted more in these worldly means, than in God. 22:13 1 Instead of repentance ye were joyful and made great cheer, contemning the admonitions of the Prophets, saying, Let us eat and drink for our Prophets say, that we shall die tomorrow. 22:15 1 Because the Hebrew word doth also signify one that doth nourish and cherish, there are of the learned that think that this wicked man did nourish secret friendship with the Assyrians and Egyptians to betray the Church, and to provide for himself against all dangers: in the mean season he packed craftily, and got of the best offices into his hand under Hezekiah, ever aspiring to the highest.
Isaiah 22:16 698
16 What hast thou to do here? and whom hast thou 1here? that thou shouldest here hew thee out a sepulcher, as he that heweth out his sepulcher in a high place, or that graveth an habitation 2for himself in a rock? 17 Behold, the Lord will carry thee away with a great captivity, and will surely cover thee. 18 He will surely roll and turn thee like a ball in a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the 1shame of thy lord's house. 19 And I will drive thee from thy station, and out of thy dwelling will he destroy thee. 20 And in that day will I 1call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, 21 And with thy garments will I clothe him, and with thy girdle will I strengthen him: thy power also will I commit into his hand, and he shall be a father of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and of the house of Judah. 22 And the 1key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder: so he shall open, and no man shall shut: and he shall shut, and no man shall open. 23 And I will fasten him as a 1nail in a sure place, and he shall be for the throne of glory to his father's house. 24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, even of the nephews and posterity 1all small vessels, from the vessels of the cups, even to all the instruments of music. 25 In that day saith the Lord of hosts, shall the 1nail that is fastened in the sure place, depart and shall be broken and fall, and the burden that was upon it, shall be cut off: for the Lord hath spoken it. 23 1 A Prophecy against Tyre. 17 A promise that it shall be restored.
shall come from the land of 4Kittim: it is 5revealed unto them. 2 Be still, ye that dwell in the isles: the merchants of Sidon, and such as pass over the sea, have 1replenished thee. 3 The 1seed of Nile growing by the abundance of waters, and the harvest of the river was her revenues, and she was a mart of the nations. 4 Be ashamed, thou Sidon: for the 1sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I have not 2travailed, nor brought forth children, neither nourished young men, nor brought up virgins. 5 When the fame cometh to the Egyptians, they shall be 1sorry, concerning the rumor of Tyre. 6 Go you over to 1Tarshish: howl, ye that dwell in the isles. 7 Is not this that your glorious city? her antiquity is of ancient days: her own feet shall lead her afar off to be a sojourner. 8 Who hath decreed this against Tyre (that 1crowneth men) whose merchants are princes? whose chapmen are the nobles of the world? 9 The Lord of hosts hath decreed this, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring to contempt all them that be glorious in the earth. 10 Pass through thy land like a flood to the 1daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength. 11 He stretched out his hand upon the sea: he shook the kingdoms: the Lord hath given a commandment concerning the place of merchandise, to destroy the power thereof. 12 And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice when thou art oppressed: 1O virgin 2daughter of Sidon: rise up, go out unto Kittim: yet there thou shalt have no rest. 13 Behold the land of the Chaldeans: this was no people: 1Assyria founded it by the inhabitants of the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof:
1 The 1burden of Tyre. Howl ye ships of 2Tarshish: for 3it is destroyed, so that there is none house: none
22:16 1 Meaning, that he was a stranger, and came up of nothing. 2 Whereas he thought to make his name immortal by his famous sepulcher, he died most miserably among the Assyrians. 22:18 1 Signifying that whatsoever dignity the wicked attain unto, at length it will turn to the shame of those princes, by whom they are preferred. 22:20 1 To be steward again, out of the which office he had been put, by the craft of Shebna. 22:22 1 I will commit unto him the full charge and government of the king's house. 22:23 1 I will establish him, and confirm him in his office: of this phrase, read Ezra 9:9. 22:24 1 Meaning that both small and great that shall come of Elia kim, shall have praise and glory by his faithful officer. 22:25 1 He meaneth Shebna, who in man's judgment should never have fallen. 23:1 1 Read Isa. 13:1. 2 Ye of Cilicia that come thither for merchandise. 3 Tyre is destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.
4 By Kittim they meant all the isles and countries Westward from Palestine. 5 All men know of this destruction. 23:2 1 Have haunteth thee, and enriched thee. 23:3 1 Meaning, the corn of Egypt, which was fed by the overflowing of the Nile. 23:4 1 That is, Tyre, which was the chief part of the sea. 2 I have no people left in me, and am as a barren woman that never had children. 23:5 1 Because these two countries were joined in league together. 23:6 1 Tyre willeth other merchants to go to Cilicia, and to come no more there. 23:8 1 Who maketh her merchants like princes. 23:10 1 Thy strength will no more serve thee: therefore flee to other countries for succor. 23:12 1 For Tyre was never touched nor afflicted before. 2 Because Tyre was built by them of Sidon. 23:13 1 The Chaldeans which dwelt in tents in the wilderness, were gathered by the Assyrians into cities.
699 Isaiah 24:16
they raised the palaces thereof, and he 2brought it to ruin. 14 Howl ye ships of Tarshish, for your 1strength is destroyed. 15 And in that day shall Tyre be forgotten seventy years (according to the years of one King) at the end of 1seventy years shall Tyre 2sing as an harlot. 16 Take an harp and go about the city (thou harlot that hast been forgotten) 1make sweet melody, sing more songs that thou mayest be remembered. 17 And at the end of seventy years shall the Lord visit Tyre, and she shall return to her 1wages, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the earth, that are in the world. 18 Yet her occupying and her wages shall be 1holy unto the Lord: it shall not be laid up nor kept in store, but her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the Lord, to eat sufficiently, and to have durable clothing. 24 1 A prophecy of the curse of God for the sins of the people. 13 A remnant reserved shall praise the Lord.
is feebled and decayed: the proud people of the earth are weakened. 5 The earth 1also deceiveth, because of the inhabitants thereof: for they transgressed the laws: they changed the ordinances, and brake the everlasting Covenant. 6 Therefore hath the 1curse devoured the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are desolate. Wherefore the inhabitants of the land are 2burned up, and few men are left. 7 The wine faileth, the vine hath no might: all that were of merry heart, do mourn. 8 The mirth of tabrets ceaseth: the noise of them that rejoice, endeth: the joy of the harp ceaseth. 9 They shall not drink wine with mirth: strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it. 10 The city of 1vanity is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in. 11 There is a crying for wine in the streets: all joy is darkened: the 1mirth of the world is gone away. 12 In the cities is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction. 13 ¶ Surely thus shall it be in the midst of the earth, among the people, 1as the shaking of an olive tree, and as the grapes when the vintage is ended. 14 They shall lift up their voice: they shall shout for the magnificence of the Lord: they shall rejoice from 1the sea. 15 Wherefore praise ye the Lord in the valleys, even the Name of the Lord God of Israel, in the isles of the sea. 16 From the uttermost part of the earth we have heard praises, even glory to the 1just, and I said, 2My
1 Behold, the Lord maketh the 1earth empty, and he maketh it waste: he turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. 2 And there shall be like people, like 1Priest, and like servant, like master, like maid, like mistress, like buyer, like seller, like lender, like borrower, like giver, like taker to usury. 3 The earth shall be clean emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word. 4 The earth lamenteth and fadeth away, the world
2 The people of the Chaldeans destroyed the Assyrians: whereby the Prophet meaneth, that seeing the Chaldeans were able to over come the Assyrians which were so great a nation, much more shall these two nations of Chaldea and Assyria be able to overthrow Tyre. 23:14 1 That is, Tyre by whom ye are enriched. 23:15 1 Tyre shall lie destroyed seventy years which he calleth the reign of one King, or a man's age. 2 Shall use all craft and subtlety to entice men again unto her. 23:16 1 She shall labor by all means to recover her first credit: as an harlot when she is long forgotten, seeketh by all means to entertain her lovers. 23:17 1 Though she have been chastised of the Lord, yet she shall return to her old wicked practices, and for gain shall give herself to all men's lusts like an harlot. 23:18 1 He showeth that God yet by the preaching of the Gospel will call Tyre to repentance, and turn her heart from avarice and filthy gain, unto the true worshipping of God, and liberality toward his Saints. 24:1 1 This prophecy is as a conclusion of that which hath been threatened to the Jews, and other nations from chap. 13, and therefore by the earth he meaneth those lands which were before named. 24:2 1 Because this was a name of dignity, it was also applied to them, which were not of Aaron's family, and so signifieth also a man of dignity, as 2 Sam. 8:18 and 20:25; 1 Chron. 18:17, and by these words the Prophet signifieth an horrible confusion, where there shall be neither religion, order, nor policy, Hos. 4:9.
24:5 1 That is, rendereth not her fruit for the sin of the people, whom the earth deceived of their nourishment, because they deceived God of his honor. 24:6 1 Written in the Law, as Lev. 26:14; Deut. 28:16, thus the Proph ets used to apply particularly the menaces and promises, which are general in the Law. 2 With heat and drought, or else that they were consumed with the fire of God's wrath. 24:10 1 Which as it was without order, so now should it be brought to desolation and confusion: and this was not only meant of Jerusa lem, but of all the other wicked cities. 24:11 1 Because they did not use God's benefits aright, their plea sures should fail, and they fall to mourning. 24:13 1 He comforteth the faithful, declaring that in this great deso lation the Lord will assemble his Church which shall praise his Name, as Isa. 10:22. 24:14 1 From the utmost coasts of the world, where the Gospel shall be preached, as verse 16. 24:16 1 Meaning, to God, who will publish his Gospel through all the world. 2 I am consumed with care, considering the affliction of the Church, both by foreign enemies and domestic. Some read, my secret, my secret: that is, it was revealed to the Prophet, that the good should be preserved, and the wicked destroyed.
Isaiah 24:17 700
thee. 4 For thou hast been a strength unto the poor, even a strength to the needy in his trouble, a refuge against the tempest, a shadow against the heat: for the blast 1of the mighty is like a storm against the wall. 5 Thou shalt bring down the noise of the strangers, 1as the heat in a dry place; he will bring down the song of the mighty, as 2the heat in the shadow of a cloud. 6 And in this 1mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, even a feast of fined wines, and of fat things full of marrow, of wines fined and purified. 7 And he will destroy in this mountain 1the covering that covereth all people, and the veil that is spread upon all nations. 8 He will destroy death forever: and the Lord God will 1wipe away the tears from all faces, and the rebuke of his people will he take away out of all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. 9 And in that day shall men say, Lo, this is our God: we have waited for him, and he will save us. This is the Lord, we have waited for him, we will rejoice and be joyful in salvation. 10 For in this mountain shall the hand of the Lord rest, and 1Moab shall be threshed under him even as straw is threshed in 2Madmenah. 11 And he shall stretch out his hand in the midst of them (as he that swimmeth stretcheth them out to swim) and with the strength of his hands shall he bring down their pride. 12 The defense also of the height of thy walls shall he bring down and lay low, and cast them to the ground, even unto the dust. 26 A song of the faithful, wherein is declared, in what consisteth the salvation of the Church, and wherein they ought to trust.
leanness, my leanness, woe is me: the transgressors have offended: yea, the transgressors have grievously offended. 17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth. 18 And he that fleeth from the noise of the fear, shall fall into the pit: and he that cometh up out of the pit, shall be taken in the snare: for the 1windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake. 19 The earth is utterly broken down: the earth is clean dissolved: the earth is moved exceedingly. 20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunken man, and shall be removed like a tent, and the iniquity thereof shall be heavy upon it: so that it shall fall, and rise no more. 21 ¶ And in that day shall the Lord 1visit the host above that is on high, even the kings of the world that are upon the earth. 22 And they shall be gathered together as the prisoners in the pit: and they shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be 1visited. 23 1Then the moon shall be abashed, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion and in Jerusalem: and glory shall be before his ancient men. 25 A thanksgiving to God in that that he showeth himself judge of the world, by punishing the wicked, and maintaining the godly.
1 O Lord, thou 1art my God: I will exalt thee, I will praise thy Name: for thou hast done wonderful things, according to the counsels of old, with a stable truth. 2 For thou hast made of a 1city an heap, of a strong city, a ruin: even the place 2of strangers of a city, it shall never be built. 3 Therefore shall the 1mighty people give glory unto thee: the city of the strong nations shall fear
24:18 1 Meaning, that God's wrath and vengeance should be over and under them: so that they should not escape no more than they did at Noah's flood. 24:21 1 There is no power so high or mighty, but God will visit him with his rods. 24:22 1 Not with his rods, as verse 21, but shall be comforted. 24:23 1 When God shall restore his Church, the glory thereof shall so shine, and his ministers (which are called his ancient men) that the sun and the moon shall be dark in comparison thereof. 25:1 1 Thus the Prophet giveth thanks to God because he will bring under subjection these nations by his corrections, and make them of his Church, which before were his enemies. 25:2 1 Not only of Jerusalem, but also of these other cities which have been thine enemies. 2 That is, a place whereas all vagabonds may live without danger, and as it were at ease, as in a palace. 25:3 1 The arrogant and proud, which before would not know thee,
shall by thy corrections fear and glorify thee. 25:4 1 The rage of the wicked is furious, till God break the force thereof. 25:5 1 Meaning, that as the heat is abated by the rain, so shall God bring down the rage of the wicked. 2 As a cloud shadoweth from the heat of the sun, so shall God assuage the rejoicing of the wicked against the godly. 25:6 1 To wit, in Zion, whereby he meaneth his Church, which should under Christ be assembled of the Jews and the Gentiles, and is here described under the figure of a costly banquet, as Matt. 22:2. 25:7 1 Meaning, that ignorance and blindness, whereby we are kept back from Christ. 25:8 1 He will take away all occasions of sorrow and fill his with per fect joy, Rev. 7:17 and 21:4. 25:10 1 By Moab are meant all the enemies of his Church. 2 There were two cities of this name: one in Judah, 1 Chron. 2:49, and another in the land of Moab, Jer. 48:2, which seemeth to have been a plentiful place of corn, Isa. 10:31.
701 Isaiah 27:1
1 In that day shall 1this song be sung in the land of Judah, We have a strong city: 2salvation shall God set for walls and bulwarks. 2 1Open ye the gates that the righteous nation, which keepeth the truth, may enter in. 3 By an assured 1purpose wilt thou preserve perfect peace, because they trusted in thee. 4 Trust in the Lord forever: for in the Lord God is strength forevermore. 5 For he will bring down them that dwell on high: 1the high city he will abase: even unto the ground will he cast it down, and bring it unto dust. 6 The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the 1poor, and the steps of the needy. 7 The way of the just is righteousness: thou wilt make equal the righteous path of the just. 8 Also we, O Lord, have waited for thee in the way of thy 1judgments: the desire of our soul is to thy Name, and to the remembrance of thee. 9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night, and with my spirit within me will I seek thee in the morning: for seeing thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world shall learn 1righteousness. 10 Let mercy 1be showed to the wicked, yet he will not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he do wickedly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord. 11 O Lord, they will not behold thine high hand: but they shall see it, and be confounded with 1the zeal of the people, and the fire of thine 2enemies shall devour them. 12 Lord unto us thou wilt ordain peace: for thou also hast wrought all our works for us. 13 O Lord our God, other 1lords beside thee, have
ruled us, but we will remember thee only, and thy Name. 14 The 1dead shall not live, neither shall the dead arise, because thou hast visited and scattered them, and destroyed all their memory. 15 Thou hast increased 1the nation, O Lord: thou hast increased the nation: thou art made glorious, thou hast enlarged all the coasts of the earth. 16 Lord, in trouble have they 1visited thee: they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them. 17 Like as a woman with child, that draweth near to the travail, is in sorrow, and crieth in her pains, so have we been in thy 1sight, O Lord. 18 We have conceived, we have born in pain, as though we should have brought forth 1wind: there was no help in the earth, neither did the inhabitants of 2the world fall. 19 ¶ 1Thy dead men shall live: even with my body shall they rise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy 2dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. 20 Come, my people: 1enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors after thee: hide thyself for a very little while, until the indignation pass over. 21 For lo, the Lord cometh out of his place, to visit the iniquity of the inhabitants of the earth upon them: and the earth shall disclose her 1blood, and shall no more hide her slain. 27 A prophecy against the kingdom of Satan. 2 And of the joy of the Church for their deliverance.
1 In that 1day the Lord with his sore and great and mighty 2sword shall visit Leviathan, that piercing serpent, even Leviathan, that crooked serpent, and
26:1 1 This song was made to comfort the faithful when their cap tivity should come, assuring them also of their deliverance, for the which they should sing this song. 2 God's protection and defense shall be sufficient for us. 26:2 1 He assureth the godly to return after the captivity to Jerusalem. 26:3 1 Thou hast decreed so, and thy purpose cannot be changed. 26:5 1 There is no power so high that can let God, when he will deliver his. 26:6 1 God will set the poor afflicted over the power of the wicked. 26:8 1 We have constantly aboade in the adversities wherewith thou had afflicted us. 26:9 1 Meaning, that by afflictions men shall learn to fear God. 26:10 1 The wicked though God show them evident signs of his grace, shall be never the better. 26:11 1 Through envy and indignation against thy people. 2 The fire and vengeance, wherewith thou dost destroy thine enemies. 26:13 1 The Babylonians, which have not governed according to thy word. 26:14 1 Meaning, that the reprobate, even in this life shall have the beginning of everlasting death. 26:15 1 To wit, the company of the faithful by the calling of the Gen
tiles. 26:16 1 That is, the faithful by the rods were moved to pray unto thee for deliverance. 26:17 1 To wit, in extreme sorrow. 26:18 1 Our sorrows had none end, neither did we enjoy the com fort that we looked for. 2 The wicked and men without religion were not destroyed. 26:19 1 He comforteth the faithful in their afflictions, showing them that even in death they shall have life: and that they should most certainly rise to glory, the contrary should come to the wicked, as verse 14. 2 As herbs dead in winter flourisheth again by the rain in the springtime: so they that lie in the dust, shall rise up to joy, when they feel the dew of God's grace. 26:20 1 He exhorteth the faithful to be patient in their afflictions, and to wait upon God's work. 26:21 1 The earth shall vomit and cast out the innocent blood, which it hath drunk, that it may cry for vengeance against the wicked. 27:1 1 At the time appointed. 2 That is, by his mighty power, and by his word. He prophesieth here of the destruction of Satan and his kingdom under the name of Leviathan, Assyria, and Egypt.
Isaiah 27:2 702
he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea. 2 In that day sing of the vineyard 1of red wine. 3 I the Lord do keep it: I will water it every moment: lest any assail it, I will keep it night and day. 4 Anger 1is not in me: who would set the briers and the thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. 5 Or will he 1feel my strength, that he may make peace with me, and be at one with me? 6 1Hereafter Jacob shall take root: Israel shall flourish and grow: and the world shall be filled with fruit. 7 Hath he smitten 1him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that were slain by him? 8 In 1measure in the branches thereof wilt thou contend with it, when he bloweth with his rough wind in the day of the East wind. 9 By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the 1fruit, the taking away of his sin: when he shall make all the stones of the altars, as chalk stones broken in pieces, that the groves and images may not stand up. 10 Yet the 1defensed city shall be desolate, and the habitation shall be forsaken, and left like a wilderness. There shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie and consume the branches thereof. 11 When the boughs of it are dry, they shall be broken: the 1women come and set them on fire: for it is a people of none understanding: therefore he that made them shall not have compassion of them, and he that formed them, shall have no mercy on them. 12 And in that day shall the Lord thresh from the channel of the 1river unto the river of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered, one by one, O children of Israel.
13 In that day also shall the great trumpet be 1blown, and they shall come, which perished in the land of Assyria, and they that were chased into the land of Egypt, and they shall worship the Lord in the holy Mount at Jerusalem. 28 Against the pride and drunkenness of Israel. 9 The untowardness of them that should learn the word of God. 24 God doeth all things in time and place.
1 Woe to the 1crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim: for his glorious beauty shall be a fading flower, which is upon the head of the 2valley of them that be fat, and are overcome with wine. 2 Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and 1strong host like a tempest of hail, and a whirlwind that overthroweth, like a tempest of mighty waters that overflow, which throw to the ground mightily. 3 They shall be trodden under foot, even the crown and the pride of the drunkards of Ephraim. 4 For his glorious beauty shall be a fading flower, which is upon the head of the valley of them that be fat, and as 1the hasty fruit afore Summer, which when he hath looketh upon it, seeth it, while it is in his hand, he eateth it. 5 In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty unto the 1residue of his people: 6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for 1strength unto them that turn away the battle to the gate. 7 But 1they have erred because of wine, and are out of the way by strong drink: the Priest and the prophet have erred by strong drink: they are swallowed up with wine: they have gone astray through strong drink: they fail in vision: they stumble in judgment.
27:2 1 Meaning, of the best wine, which this vineyard, that is, the Church should bring forth, as most agreeable to the Lord. 27:4 1 Therefore he will destroy the kingdom of Satan, because he loveth his Church for his own mercy's sake, and cannot be angry with it, but wisheth that he may pour his anger upon the wicked infidels, whom he meaneth by briers and thorns. 27:5 1 He marveleth that Israel will not come by gentleness, except God make them to feel his rods, and so bring them unto him. 27:6 1 Though I afflict and diminish my people for a time, yet shall the root spring again and bring forth in great abundance. 27:7 1 He showeth that God punisheth his in mercy, and his enemies in justice. 27:8 1 That is, thou wilt not destroy the root of thy Church, though the branches thereof seem to perish by the sharp wind of affliction. 27:9 1 He showeth that there is no true repentance, nor full recon ciliation to God, till the heart be purged from all idolatry, and the monuments thereof be destroyed. 27:10 1 Notwithstanding his favor that he will show them after, yet Jerusalem shall be destroyed, and grass for cattle shall grow in it. 27:11 1 God shall not have need of mighty enemies: for the very women shall do it to their great shame.
27:12 1 He shall destroy all from Euphrates to the Nile: for some fled toward Egypt, thinking to have escaped. 27:13 1 In the time of Cyrus, by whom they should be delivered: but this was chiefly accomplished under Christ. 28:1 1 Meaning, the proud kingdom of the Israelites, which were drunken with worldly prosperity. 2 Because the Israelites for the most part dwelt in plentiful val leys, he meaneth hereby the valley of them that had abundance of worldly prosperity, and were as it were crowned therewith as with garlands. 28:2 1 He seemeth to mean the Assyrians, by whom the ten tribes were carried away. 28:4 1 Which is not of long continuance, but is soon ripe and first eaten. 28:5 1 Signifying, that the faithful, which put not their trust in any worldly prosperity, but made God their glory, shall be preserved. 28:6 1 He will give counsel to the governor, and strength to the cap tain, to drive the enemies in at their own gates. 28:7 1 Meaning, the hypocrites which were among them, and were altogether corrupt in life and doctrine, which is here meant by drunk enness and vomiting.
703 Isaiah 28:29
8 For all their tables are full of filthy vomiting: no place is clean. 9 1Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand the things that he heareth? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10 For 1precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line unto line, line unto line, there a little, and there a little. 11 For with a stammering 1tongue, and with a strange language shall he speak unto this people. 12 Unto whom 1he said, 2This is the rest: 3give rest unto him that is weary, and this is the refreshing, but they would not hear. 13 Therefore shall the word of the 1Lord be unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line unto line, line unto line, there a little and there a little: that they may go and fall backward, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. 14 Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people, which is at Jerusalem. 15 Because ye have said, We have made a 1covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement: though a scourge run over, and pass through, it shall not come at us: for we have made 2falsehood our refuge, and under vanity are we hid, 16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lay in Zion a stone, a 1tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation. He that believeth, 2shall not make haste. 17 Judgment also will I lay to the rule, and 1righteousness to the balance, and the 2hail shall sweep away the vain confidence, and the waters shall overflow 3the secret place. 18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand: when a scourge shall run over and pass through, then shall ye be trodden down by it.
19 When it passeth over, it shall take you away: for it shall pass through every morning in the day and in the night, and there shall be only 1fear, to make you to understand the hearing. 20 For the bed is 1strait, that it cannot suffice, and the covering narrow, that one cannot wrap himself. 21 For the Lord shall stand as in mount 1Perazim: he shall be wroth as in the valley 2of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work, and bring to pass his act, his strange act. 22 Now therefore be no mockers, lest your bonds increase: for I have heard of the Lord of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth. 23 Hearken ye, and hear my voice: hearken ye, and hear my speech. 24 Doth the plowman plow all the day, to sow? doth he open, and break the clots of his ground? 25 When he hath made it 1plain, will he not then sow the fitches, and sow cumin, and cast in wheat by measure, and the appointed barley and rye in their place? 26 For his God doth instruct him to have discretion, and doth teach him. 27 For fitches shall not be threshed with a threshing instrument, neither shall a cartwheel be turned about upon the cumin: but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and cumin with a rod. 28 Bread corn when it is threshed, he doth not always thresh it, neither doth the wheel of his cart still make a noise, neither will he break it with the teeth thereof. 29 This also cometh from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in works. 29 1 A prophecy against Jerusalem. 13 The vengeance of God on them that follow the traditions of men.
28:9 1 For there was none that was able to understand any good doctrine: but were foolish and as unmeet as young babes. 28:10 1 They must have one thing ofttimes told. 28:11 1 Let one teach what he can, yet they shall no more under stand him, than if he spake in a strange language. 28:12 1 That is, the Prophet, whom God should send. 2 This is the doctrine, whereupon ye ought to stay and rest. 3 Show to them that are weary and have need of rest, what is the true rest. 28:13 1 Because they will not receive the word of God, when it is offered, it cometh of their own malice, if after their hearts be so hard ened, that they care not for it, as before, Isa. 6:9. 28:15 1 They thought they had shifts to avoid God's judgments, and that they could escape though all others perished. 2 Though the prophets condemned their idols and vain trust of falsehood and vanity, yet the wicked thought in themselves that they would trust in these things. 28:16 1 That is, Christ, by whom all the building must be tried and upheld, Ps. 118:22; Matt. 21:42; Acts 4:11; Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:6.
2 He shall be quiet, and seek none other remedies, but be content with Christ. 28:17 1 In the restitution of his Church, judgment and justice shall reign. 2 God's corrections and afflictions. 3 Affliction shall discover their vain confidence, which they kept secret to themselves. 28:19 1 Terror and destruction shall make you to learn that, which exhortations and gentleness could not bring you unto. 28:20 1 Your affliction shall be so sore, that you are not able to endure it. 28:21 1 When David overcame the Philistines, 2 Sam. 5:20; 1 Chron. 14:11. 2 Where Joshua discomfited five kings of the Amorites, Josh. 10:12. 28:25 1 As the plowman hath his appointed time, and divers instru ments for his labor, so hath the Lord for his vengeance: for he pun isheth some at one time, and some at another, some after one sort, and some after another, so that his chosen seed is beaten and tried, but not broken, as are the wicked.
Isaiah 29:1 704
1 Ah 1altar, altar of the city that David dwelt in: add year unto year: 2let them kill lambs. 2 But I will bring the altar into distress, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow, and it shall be unto me like 1an altar. 3 And I will besiege thee as a circle, and fight against thee on a mount, and will cast up ramparts against thee. 4 So shalt thou be humbled, and shalt speak out of the 1ground, and thy speech shall be as out of the dust: thy voice also shall be out of the ground like him that hath a spirit of divination, and thy talking shall whisper out of the dust. 5 Moreover, multitude of thy 1strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of strong men shall be as chaff that passeth away: and it shall be in a moment, even suddenly. 6 Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, and shaking, and a great noise, a whirlwind, and a tempest, and a flame of a devouring fire. 7 And the 1multitude of all the nations that fight against the altar, shall be as a dream or vision by night: even all they that make the war against it, and strongholds against it, and lay siege unto it. 8 And it shall be like as an hungry man dreameth, and behold, 1he eateth: and when he awaketh, his soul is empty: or like as a thirsty man dreameth, and lo, he is drinking, and when he awaketh, behold, he is faint, and his soul longeth: so shall the multitude of all nations be that fight against mount Zion. 9 1Stay yourselves and wonder: they are blind, and make you blind: they are drunken, but not with wine: they stagger, but not by strong drink. 10 For the Lord hath covered you with a spirit of slumber, and hath shut up your eyes: the Prophet, and your chief Seers hath he covered. 11 And the vision of them all is become unto you, as the words of a book that is sealed up, which they
deliver to one that can read, saying, Read this, I pray thee. Then shall he say, I 1cannot; for it is sealed. 12 And the book is given unto him that cannot read, saying, Read this, I pray thee. And he shall say, I cannot read. 13 Therefore the Lord said, Because this people 1come near unto me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips, but have removed their heart far from me, and their 2fear toward me was taught by the precept of men, 14 Therefore behold, I will again do a marvelous work in this people, even a marvelous work, and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall 1perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. 15 Woe unto them that 1seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord: for their works are in darkness, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? 16 Your turning of devices shall it not be esteemed
1as the potter's clay? for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or the thing formed, say of him that fashioned it, He had none understanding? 17 Is it not yet but a little while, and Lebanon shall be 1turned into Carmel? and Carmel shall be counted as a forest? 18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. 19 The meek in the Lord shall receive joy again, and the poor men shall rejoice in the Holy one of Israel. 20 For the cruel man shall cease, and the scornful shall be consumed: and all that hasted to iniquity, shall be cut off: 21 Which made a man to sin in the 1word, and took him in a snare: which reproved them in the gate,
29:1 1 The Hebrew word Ariel signifieth the Lion of God, and signi fieth the Altar, because the altar seemed to devour the sacrifice that was offered to God, as Ezek. 43:16. 2 Your vain confidence in your sacrifices shall not last long. 29:2 1 Your city shall be full of blood, as an altar whereon they sacrifice. 29:4 1 Thy speech shall be no more so lofty, but abased and low as the very charmers, which are in low places, and whisper, so that their voice can scarce be heard. 29:5 1 Thine hired soldiers in whom thou trustest, shall be destroyed as dust or chaff in a whirlwind. 29:7 1 The enemies that I will bring to destroy thee, and that which thou makest thy vain trust, shall come at unawares, even as a dream in the night. Some read, as if this were a comfort to the Church for the destruction of their enemies. 29:8 1 That is, he thinketh that he eateth. 29:9 1 Muse hereon as long as ye list, yet shall ye find nothing but occasion to be astonied: for your Prophets are blind, and therefore cannot direct you. 29:11 1 Meaning, that it is all alike, either to read, or not to read,
except God open the heart to understand. 29:13 1 Because they are hypocrites and not sincere in heart, as Matt. 15:8. 2 That is, their religion was learned by man's doctrine, and not by my word. 29:14 1 Meaning, that where as God is not worshipped according to his word, both magistrates and ministers are but fools and without understanding. 29:15 1 This is spoken of them which in heart despised God's word, and mocked at the admonitions, but outwardly bare a good face. 29:16 1 For all your craft saith the Lord, you cannot be able to escape mine hands no more than the clay, that is in the potter's hands, hath power to deliver itself. 29:17 1 Shall there not be a change of all things? And Carmel that is a plentiful place in respect of that it shall be then, may be taken as a forest, as Isa. 32:15, and thus he speaketh to comfort the faithful. 29:21 1 They that went about to find fault with the Prophet's words, and would not abide admonitions, but would entangle them and bring them into danger.
705 Isaiah 30:18
profit. 7 For the Egyptians are vanity, and they shall help in vain. Therefore have I cried unto 1her, Their strength 2is to sit still. 8 Now go, and write 1it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the 2last day forever and ever: 9 That it is a rebellious people, lying children, and children that would not 1hear the Law of the Lord. 10 Which say unto the Seers, See not: and to the Prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things: but speak flattering things unto us: prophesy 1errors. 11 Depart out of the way: go aside out of the path: cause the Holy one of Israel to cease from us. 12 Therefore thus saith the Holy one of Israel, Because you have cast off this word, and trust in 1violence, and wickedness, and stay thereupon, 13 Therefore this iniquity shall be unto you as a breach that falleth, or a swelling in an high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly in a moment. 14 And the breaking thereof is like the breaking of a potter's pot, which is broken without pity, and in the breaking thereof is not found 1a shard to take fire out of the hearth, or to take water out of the pit. 15 For thus said the 1Lord God, the Holy one of Israel, In rest and quietness shall ye be saved: in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength, but ye would not. 16 For ye have said, No, but we will flee away upon 1horses. Therefore shall ye flee. We will ride upon the swiftest. Therefore shall your persecutors be swifter. 17 A thousand as one shall flee at the rebuke of one: at the rebuke of five shall ye flee, till ye be left as a ship mast upon the 1top of a mountain, and as a beacon upon an hill. 18 Yet therefore will the Lord wait, that he may have 1mercy upon you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have compassion upon you:
and made the just to fall without cause. 22 Therefore thus saith the Lord unto the house of Jacob, even he that redeemed Abraham: Jacob shall not now be confounded, neither now shall his face be pale. 23 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my Name, and sanctify the Holy one of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. 24 Then they that erred in spirit, 1shall have understanding, and they that murmured, shall learn doctrine. 30 1 He reproveth the Jews, which in their adversity used their own counsels, 2 and sought help of the Egyptians, 10 despising the Prophets. 16 Therefore he showeth what destruction shall come upon them, 18 but offereth mercy to the repentant.
1 Woe to the 1rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me, and 2cover with a covering, but not by my spirit, that they may lay sin upon sin: 2 Which walk forth to go down into Egypt (and have not asked at my mouth) to strengthen themselves with the strength of Pharaoh, and trust in the shadow of Egypt. 3 But the strength of Pharaoh shall be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. 4 For his 1princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came unto Hanes. 5 They shall be all ashamed of the people that cannot profit them, nor help, nor do them good, but shall be a shame and also a reproach. 6 ¶ The 1burden of the beasts of the South, in a land of trouble and anguish, from whence shall come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent against them that shall bear their riches upon the shoulders of the colts, and their treasures upon the bunches of the camels, to a people that cannot
29:24 1 Signifying, that except God give understanding, and knowl edge, man cannot but still err and murmur against him. 30:1 1 Who contrary to their promise take not me for their protector, and contrary to my commandment seek help at strangers. 2 They seek shifts to cloak their doings, and not godly means. 30:4 1 The chief of Israel went into Egypt in embassy to seek help, and abode at these cities. 30:6 1 That is, a heavy sentence or prophecy against the beasts that carried their treasures into Egypt, by the wilderness, which was south from Judah, signifying that if the beasts should not be spared, the men should be punished much more grievously. 30:7 1 To wit, to Jerusalem. 2 And not to come to and fro to seek help. 30:8 1 That is, this prophecy. 2 That it may be a witness against them for all posterity. 30:9 1 He showeth what was the cause of their destruction, and
bringeth also all misery to man: to wit, because they would not hear the word of God, but delighted to be flattered, and led in error. 30:10 1 Threaten us not by the word of God, neither be so rigorous, nor talk unto us in the Name of the Lord, as Jer. 11:21. 30:12 1 Meaning, in their stubbornness against God and the admo nitions of his Prophets. 30:14 1 Signifying, that the destruction of the wicked shall be with out recovery. 30:15 1 Ofttimes by his Prophets he put you in remembrance of this, that you should only depend on him. 30:16 1 We will trust to escape by our horses. 30:17 1 Whereas all the trees are cut down save two or three to make masts. 30:18 1 He commendeth the great mercies of God, who with patience waiteth to call sinners to repentance.
Isaiah 30:19 706
for the Lord is the God of 2judgment. Blessed are all they that wait for him. 19 Surely a people shall dwell in Zion, and in Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will certainly have mercy upon thee at the voice of thy cry: when he heareth thee, he will answer thee. 20 And when the Lord hath given you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, thy rain shall be no more kept back, but thine eyes shall see thy 1rain. 21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, 1walk ye in it, when thou turnest to the right hand, and when thou turnest to the left. 22 And ye shall 1pollute the covering of the images of silver, and the rich ornament of thine images of gold, and cast them away as a menstruous cloth, and thou shalt say unto it, 2Get thee hence. 23 Then shall he give rain unto thy seed, when thou shalt sow the ground, and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and as oil: in that day shall thy cattle be fed in large pastures. 24 The oxen also and the young asses, that till the ground, shall eat clean provender, which is winnowed with the shovel and with the fan. 25 And upon every high 1mountain, and upon every high hill shall there be rivers, and streams of waters, in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers shall fall. 26 Moreover, the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the 1Sun, and the light of the Sun shall be sevenfold, and like the light of seven days in the day that the Lord shall bind up the breach of his people, and heal the stroke of their wound. 27 Behold, 1the Name of the Lord cometh from far, his face is burning, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue is as
a devouring fire. 28 And his spirit is as a river that overfloweth up to the neck: it divideth asunder, to fan the nations with the fan of 1vanity, and there shall be a bridle to cause them to err in the jaws of the people. 29 But there shall be a song unto you as in the 1night, when a solemn feast is kept; and gladness of heart, as he that cometh with a pipe to go unto the mount of the Lord, to the Mighty one of Israel. 30 And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall declare the lighting down of his arm with the anger of his countenance, and flame of a devouring fire, with scattering and tempest, and hailstones. 31 For with the voice of the Lord shall Assyria be destroyed, which smote with the 1rod. 32 And in every place that the staff shall pass, it shall 1cleave fast, which the Lord shall lay upon him with 2tabrets and beards and with battles, and lifting up of hands shall he fight 3against it. 33 For 1Tophet is prepared of old; it is even prepared for the 2King; he hath made it 3deep and large: the burning thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the Lord, like a river of brimstone, doth kindle it. 31 1 He curseth them that forsake God, and seek for the help of men.
1 Woe unto them that 1go down into Egypt for help, and stay upon horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many, and in horsemen, because they be very strong; but they look not unto the Holy one of Israel, nor 2seek unto the Lord. 2 But he yet is 1wisest; therefore he will bring evil, and not turn back his word, but he will arise against the house of the wicked, and against the help of them that work vanity.
30:18 2 Not only in punishing, but in using moderation in the same, as Jer. 10:24 and 30:11. 30:20 1 Or, instructor. 30:21 1 God shall direct all thy ways, and appoint thee how to go either hither or thither. 30:22 1 Ye shall cast away your idols, which you have made of gold, and silver, with all that belongeth unto them, as a most filthy thing, and polluted. 2 Showing, that there can be no true repentance, except both in heart and deed we show ourselves enemies to idolatry. 30:25 1 By these divers manners of speech he showeth that the felic ity of the Church shall be so great, that none is able sufficiently to express it. 30:26 1 When the Church shall be restored, the glory thereof shall pass seven times the brightness of the Sun: for by the Sun and Moon, which are two excellent creatures, he showeth what shall be the glory of the children of God in the kingdom of Christ. 30:27 1 This threatening is against the Assyrians the chief enemies of the people of God. 30:28 1 To drive thee to nothing: and thus God consumeth the wicked by that means, whereby he cleanseth his.
30:29 1 Ye shall rejoice at the destruction of your enemies, as they that sung for joy of the solemn feast, which began in the evening. 30:31 1 God's plague. 30:32 1 It shall destroy. 2 With joy and assurance of the victory. 3 Against Babel: meaning the Assyrians and Babylonians. 30:33 1 Here it is taken for hell, where the wicked are tormented, read 2 Kings 23:10. 2 So that their estate or degree cannot exempt the wicked. 3 By these figurative speeches he declareth the condition of the wicked after this life. 31:1 1 There were two special causes, why the Israelites should not join amity with the Egyptians: first, because the Lord had com manded them never to return thither, Deut. 17:16 and 28:68, lest they should forget the benefit of their redemption: and secondly, lest they should be corrupted with the superstition and idolatry of the Egyp tians, and so forsake God, Jer. 2:18. 2 Meaning, that they forsake the Lord, that put their trust in worldly things: for they cannot trust in both. 31:2 1 And knoweth their crafty enterprises, and will bring all to naught.
707 Isaiah 32:15
rock in 1a weary land. 3 The eyes of 1the seeing shall not be shut, and the ears of them that hear, shall hearken. 4 And the heart of the foolish shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stutters shall be ready to speak distinctly. 5 A 1niggard shall no more be called liberal, nor the churl rich. 6 But the niggard will speak of niggardness, and his heart will work iniquity, and do wickedly, and speak falsely against the Lord, to make empty the hungry soul, and to cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. 7 For the weapons of the churl are wicked: he deviseth wicked counsels to undo the poor with lying words, and to speak against the poor in judgment. 8 But the liberal man will devise of liberal things, and he will continue his liberality. 9 ¶ Rise up ye women that are at ease: hear my voice, ye 1careless daughters, hearken to my words. 10 Ye women that are careless, shall be in fear 1above a year in days, 2for the vintage shall fail, and the gatherings shall come no more. 11 Ye women that are at ease, be astonied; fear, O ye careless women: put off the clothes; make bare, and gird sackcloth upon the loins. 12 Men shall lament for the 1teats, even for the pleasant fields, and for the fruitful vine. 13 Upon the land of my people shall grow thorns and briers: yea, upon all the houses of joy in the city of rejoicing, 14 Because the palace shall be forsaken, and the 1noise of the city shall be left: the tower and fortress shall be dens forever, and the delight of wild asses, and a pasture for flocks, 15 Until the 1Spirit be poured upon us from above, and the wilderness become a fruitful field, and the
3 Now the Egyptians are men and not God, and their horses flesh, and not spirit; and when the Lord shall stretch out his hand, the 1helper shall fall, and he that is helped shall fall, and they shall altogether fail. 4 For this hath the Lord spoken unto me, As the lion or lion's whelp roareth upon his prey, against whom if a multitude of shepherds be called, he will not be afraid at their voice, neither will humble himself at their noise: so shall the Lord of hosts come 1down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. 5 As birds that fly, so shall the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem by defending and delivering, by passing through and preserving it. 6 O ye children of Israel, turn again, in as much as ye are 1sunken deep in rebellion. 7 For in that day every man shall 1cast out his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your hands have made you, even a sin. 8 1Then shall Assyria fall by the sword, not of man, neither shall the sword of man devour him, and he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall faint. 9 And he shall go for fear to his 1tower, and his princes shall be afraid of the standard, saith the Lord, whose 2fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem. 32 The conditions of good rulers and officers describeth by the government of Hezekiah, who was the figure of Christ.
1 Behold, 1a King shall reign in justice, and the princes shall 2rule in judgment. 2 And that man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and as a refuge for the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, and as the shadow of a great
31:3 1 Meaning, both the Egyptians and the Israelites. 31:4 1 He showeth the Jews, that if they would put their trust in him, he is so able, that none can resist his power: and so careful over them, as a bird over her young, which ever flieth about them for their defense: which similitude the scripture useth in divers places, as Deut. 32:11; Matt. 23:37. 31:6 1 He toucheth their conscience, that they might earnestly feel their grievous sins, and so truly repent, forasmuch as now they are almost drowned and past recovery. 31:7 1 By these fruits your repentance shall be known, as Isa. 2:20. 31:8 1 When your repentance appeareth. 31:9 1 This was accomplished soon after when Sennacherib's army was discomfited, and he fled to his castle in Nineveh for succor. 2 To destroy his enemies. 32:1 1 This prophecy is of Hezekiah, who was a figure of Christ, and therefore it ought chiefly to be referred to him. 2 By judgment and justice is meant an upright government, both in policy, and religion. 32:2 1 Where men are weary with traveling for lack of water.
32:3 1 He promiseth to give the true light, which is the pure doctrine of God's word, and understanding, and zeal of the same, are contrary to the threatenings against the wicked, Isa. 6:9 and 29:10. 32:5 1 Vice shall no more be called virtue, nor virtue esteemed by power and riches. 32:9 1 He prophesieth of such calamity to come, that they will not spare the women and children, and therefore willeth them to take heed and provide. 32:10 1 Meaning, that the affliction should continue long, and when one year were past, yet they should look for new plagues. 2 God will take from you the means and occasions, which made you to contemn him: to wit, abundance of worldly goods. 32:12 1 By the teats he meaneth the plentiful fields, whereby men are nourished as children with the teat: or, the mothers for sorrow and heaviness shall lack milk. 32:14 1 Or, multitude. 32:15 1 That is, when the Church shall be restored: thus the Proph ets, after they have denounced God's judgments against the wicked, used to comfort the godly, lest they should faint.
Isaiah 32:16 708
2plenteous field be counted as a forest. 16 And judgment shall dwell in the desert, and justice shall remain in the fruitful field. 17 And the work of justice shall be peace, even the work of justice and quietness, and assurance forever. 18 And my people shall dwell in the tabernacle of peace, and in sure dwellings, and in safe resting places. 19 When it haileth, it shall fall on the forest, and the 1city shall be in the low place. 20 Blessed are ye 1that sow upon all waters, and 2drive thither the feet of the ox and the ass. 33 1 The destruction of them by whom God hath punished his Church.
6 And there shall be stability of 1the times, strength, salvation, wisdom, and knowledge: for the fear of the Lord shall be his treasure. 7 Behold, 1their messengers shall cry without, and the 2ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly. 8 The 1paths are waste: the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant: he hath contemned the cities: he regardeth no man. 9 The earth mourneth and fainteth: Lebanon is ashamed, and hewn down: 1Sharon is like a wilderness, and Bashan is shaken and Carmel. 10 Now will I 1arise, saith the Lord: now will I be exalted, now will I lift up myself. 11 1Ye shall conceive chaff, and bring forth stubble: the fire of your breath shall devour you. 12 And the people shall be as the burning of lime: and as the thorns cut up, shall they be burnt in the fire. 13 Hear, ye that are 1far off, what I have done, and ye that are near, know my power. 14 The 1sinners in Zion are afraid: a fear is come upon the hypocrites: who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with the everlasting burnings? 15 He that walketh in justice, and speaketh righteous things, refusing gain of oppression, shaking his hands from taking of gifts, stopping his ears from hearing of blood, and shutting his eyes from seeing evil, 16 He shall dwell on 1high: his defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him, and
1 Woe to thee that 1spoilest, and wast not spoiled: and doest wickedly, and they did not wickedly against thee: when thou shalt 2cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled: when thou shalt make an end of doing wickedly, 3they shall do wickedly against thee. 2 1O Lord, have mercy upon us, we have waited for thee: be thou, which wast 2their arm in the morning, our help also in time of trouble. 3 At the noise of the tumult, the 1people fled: at thine 2exalting the nations were scattered. 4 And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of 1caterpillars: and 2he shall go against him like the leaping of grasshoppers. 5 The Lord is exalted: for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and justice.
32:15 2 The field which is now fruitful, shall be but as a barren forest in comparison of that it shall be then, as Isa. 29:17, which shall be fulfilled in Christ's time, for then they that were before as the barren wilderness, being regenerate shall be fruitful, and they that had some beginning of godliness, shall bring forth fruits in such abundance, that their former life shall seem but as a wilderness where no fruits were. 32:19 1 They shall not need to build it in high places for fear of the enemy: for God will defend it, and turn away the storms from hurting of their commodities. 32:20 1 That is, upon fat ground and well watered, which bringeth forth in abundance, or in places which before were covered with waters, and now made dry for your uses. 2 The fields shall be so rank, that they shall send out their cattle to eat up the first crop, which abundance shall be signs of God's love and favor toward them. 33:1 1 Meaning, the enemies of the Church, as were the Chaldeans and Assyrians, but chiefly of Sennacherib, but not only. 2 When thine appointed time shall come that God shall take away thy power: and that which thou hast wrongfully gotten, shall be given to others, as Amos 5:11. 3 The Chaldeans shall do like to the Assyrians, as the Assyrians did to Israel, and the Medes and Persians shall do the same to the Chaldeans. 33:2 1 He declareth hereby what is the chief refuge of the faithful, when troubles come, to pray, and seek help of God.
2 Which helped our fathers so soon as they called upon thee. 33:3 1 That is, the Assyrians fled before the army of the Chaldeans, or the Chaldeans for fear of the Medes and Persians. 2 When thou, O Lord, didst lift up thine arm to punish thine ene mies. 33:4 1 Ye that as caterpillars destroyed with your number the whole world, shall have no strength to resist your enemies the Chaldeans: but shall be gathered on an heap and destroyed. 2 Meaning, the Medes and Persians against the Chaldeans. 33:6 1 That is, in the days of Hezekiah. 33:7 1 Sent from Sennacherib. 2 Whom they of Jerusalem sent to entreat of peace. 33:8 1 These are the words of the ambassadors, when they returned from Sennacherib. 33:9 1 Which was a plentiful country, meaning, that Sennacherib would destroy all. 33:10 1 To help and deliver my Church. 33:11 1 This is spoken against the enemies, who thought all was their own: but he showeth that their enterprise shall be in vain, and that the fire which they had kindled for others, should consume them. 33:13 1 His vengeance shall be so great, that all the world shall talk thereof. 33:14 1 Which do not believe the words of the Prophet, and the assurance of their deliverance. 33:16 1 Meaning, that God will be a sure defense to all them that live according to his word.
709 Isaiah 34:14
4 And all the host of heaven 1shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be folded like a book: and all their hosts shall fall as the leaf falleth from the vine, and as it falleth from the fig tree. 5 For my sword shall be 1drunken in the heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Edom, even upon the people of 2my curse to judgment. 6 The sword of the Lord is filled with blood: it is made fat with the fat and with the blood of the 1lambs and the goats, with the fat of the kidneys of the rams: for the Lord hath a sacrifice in 2Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Edom. 7 And the 1unicorn shall come down with them, and the heifers with the bulls, and their land shall be drunken with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. 8 For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, and the year of recompense for the judgment of Zion. 9 And the rivers thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into 1brimstone, and the land thereof shall be burning pitch. 10 It shall not be quenched night nor day: the smoke thereof shall go up evermore: it shall be desolate from generation to generation; none shall pass through it forever. 11 But the pelican 1and the hedgehog shall possess it, and the great owl, and the raven shall dwell in it, and he shall stretch out upon it the line of 2vanity, and the stones of emptiness. 12 1The nobles thereof shall call to the kingdom, and there shall be none, and all the princes thereof shall be as nothing. 13 And it shall bring forth thorns in the palaces thereof, nettles, and thistles in the strongholds thereof, and it shall be an habitation for dragons, and a court for ostriches. 14 There shall 1meet also Ziim and Iim, and the Satyr shall cry to his fellow, and the screech owl
his waters shall be sure. 17 Thine eyes shall 1see the King in his glory: they shall behold the 2land far off. 18 Thine heart 1shall meditate fear, Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers? 19 Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a dark speech, that thou canst not perceive, and of a stammering tongue that thou canst not understand. 20 Look upon Zion the city of our solemn feasts: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that cannot be removed: and the stakes thereof can never be taken away, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. 21 For surely there the mighty Lord will be unto us, as a place 1of floods, and broad rivers, whereby shall pass no ship with oars, neither shall great ship pass thereby. 22 For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our lawgiver: the Lord is our King, he will save us. 23 Thy 1cords are loosed: they could not well strengthen their mast, neither could they spread the sail: then shall the 2prey be divided for a great spoil: yea, the lame shall take away the prey. 24 And none inhabitant shall say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein, shall have their iniquity forgiven. 34 1 He showeth that God punisheth the wicked for the love that he beareth toward his Church.
1 Come near, ye 1nations and hear, and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear and all that is therein, the world and all that proceedeth thereof. 2 For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his wrath upon all their armies: he hath 1destroyed them and delivered them to the slaughter. 3 And their slain shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their bodies, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.
33:17 1 They shall see Hezekiah delivered from his enemies, and restored to honor and glory. 2 They shall be no more shut in as they were of Sennacherib, but go where it pleaseth them. 33:18 1 Before that this liberty cometh thou shalt think that thou art in great danger: for the enemy shall so sharply assail you, that one shall cry, where is the clerk that writeth the names of them that are taxed? another, Where is the receiver? another shall cry for him that valueth the rich houses, but God will deliver you from this fear. 33:21 1 Let us be content with this small river of Shiloah and not desire the great streams and rivers, whereby the enemies may bring in ships and destroy us. 33:23 1 He derideth the Assyrians and enemies of the Church, declaring their destruction as they that perish by shipwreck. 2 He comforteth the Church, and showeth that they shall be enriched with all benefits both of body and soul. 34:1 1 He prophesieth of the destruction of the Edomites and other nations which were enemies to the Church. 34:2 1 God hath determined in his counsel, and hath given sentence
for their destruction. 34:4 1 He speaketh this in respect of man's judgment, who in great fear and horrible troubles, thinketh that heaven and earth perisheth. 34:5 1 I have determined in my secret counsel, and in the heavens to destroy them till my sword be weary with shedding of blood. 2 They had an opinion of holiness, because they came of the Patri arch Isaac, but in effect were accursed of God, and enemies unto his Church, as the Papists are. 34:6 1 That is, both of young and old, poor and rich of his enemies. 2 That famous city shall be consumed as a sacrifice burnt to ashes. 34:7 1 The mighty and rich shall be as well destroyed as the infe riors. 34:9 1 He alludeth to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Gen. 19:24. 34:11 1 Read Isa. 13:21 and Zeph. 2:14. 2 In vain shall any man go about to build it again. 34:12 1 Meaning, here shall be neither order nor policy, nor state of commonweal. 34:14 1 Read Isa. 13:21.
Isaiah 34:15 710
shall rest there, and shall find for herself a quiet dwelling. 15 There 1shall the owl make her nest, and lay and hatch, and gather them under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her make. 16 Seek in the 1book of the Lord, and read: none of 2these shall fail, none shall want her make: for 3his mouth hath commanded, and his very spirit hath gathered them. 17 And he hath cast the 1lot for them, and his hand hath divided unto them by line: they shall possess it forever: from generation to generation shall they dwell in it. 35 1 The great joy of them that believe in Christ. 3 Their office which preach the Gospel. 8 The fruits that follow thereof.
shall waters break out, and rivers in the desert. 7 And the dry ground shall be as a pool, and the thirsty as springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where they lay, shall be a place for reeds and rushes. 8 And there shall be a path and a way, and the way shall be called 1holy: the polluted shall not pass by it: for 2he shall be with them, and walk in the way, and the fools shall not err. 9 There shall be 1no lion, nor noisome beasts shall ascend by it, neither shall they be found there, that the redeemed may walk. 10 Therefore the 1redeemed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with praise: and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. 36 1 Sennacherib sendeth Rabshakeh to besiege Jerusalem. 15 His blasphemies against God.
1 The 1desert and the wilderness shall rejoice, and the waste ground shall be glad and flourish as the rose. 2 It shall flourish abundantly, and shall greatly rejoice also and joy: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it: the beauty of 1Carmel, and of Sharon, they shall 2see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. 3 1Strengthen the weak hands, and comfort the feeble knees. 4 Say unto them that are fearful, Be you strong, fear not: behold, your God cometh with 1vengeance: even God with a recompense, he will come and save you. 5 Then shall the eyes of the 1blind be lightened, and the ears of the deaf be opened. 6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the dumb man's tongue shall sing: for in the 1wilderness
1 Now 1in the 2fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib King of Assyria came up against all the strong cities of Judah, and took them. 2 And the King of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish toward Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah, with a great host, and he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the path of the fuller's field. 3 Then came forth unto him Eliakim the son of Hilkiah the 1steward of the house, and Shebna 2the chancellor, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder. 4 And 1Rabshakeh said unto them, Tell you Hezekiah, I pray you, Thus saith the great king, the King of Assyria, What confidence is this, wherein thou trustest? 5 I say, 1Surely I have eloquence, but counsel and strength are for the war: on whom then dost thou
34:15 1 Signifying, that Edom should be an horrible desolation and barren wilderness. 34:16 1 That is, in the Law where such curses are threatened against the wicked. 2 To wit, beasts and souls. 3 That is, the mouth of the Lord. 34:17 1 He hath given the beasts and fowls Edom for an inheritance. 35:1 1 He prophesieth of the full restoration of the Church both of the Jews and Gentiles under Christ, which shall be fully accomplished at the last day: albeit as yet it is compared to a desert and wilderness. 35:2 1 The Church which was before compared to a barren wilder ness shall by Christ be made most plenteous and beautiful. 2 He showeth that the presence of God is the cause that the Church doth bring forth fruit and flourish. 35:3 1 He willeth all to encourage one another, and specially the ministers to exhort and strengthen the weak, that they may patiently abide the coming of God, which is at hand. 35:4 1 To destroy your enemies. 35:5 1 When the knowledge of Christ is revealed. 35:6 1 They that were barren and destitute of the graces of God, shall have them given by Christ.
35:8 1 It shall be for the Saints of God and not for the wicked. 2 God shall lead and guide them, alluding to the bringing forth of Egypt. 35:9 1 As he threateneth to the wicked to be destroyed hereby, Isa. 30:6. 35:10 1 Whom the Lord shall deliver from the captivity of Babylon. 36:1 1 This history is rehearsed because it is as a seal and confirma tion of the doctrine afore, both for the threatenings and promises: to wit, that God would suffer his Church to be afflicted, but at length would send deliverance. 2 When he had abolished superstition, and idolatry, and restored religion, yet God would exercise his Church to try their faith and patience. 36:3 1 For he was now restored to his office, as Isaiah had proph esied, Isa. 22:20. 2 This declareth that there were few godly to be found in the king's house, when he was driven to send this wicked man in such a weighty matter. 36:4 1 Sennacherib's chief captain. 36:5 1 He speaketh this in the person of Hezekiah, falsely charging him that he put his trust in his wit and eloquence, whereas his only confidence was in the Lord.
711 Isaiah 37:3
come out to me, that every man may eat of his own vine, and every man of his own fig tree, and drink every man the water of his own well, 17 Till I come and bring you to a land like your own land, even a land of wheat and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, 18 Lest Hezekiah deceive you, saying, The Lord will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 19 Where is the god of 1Hamath, and of Arpad? where is the god of Sepharvaim? or how have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? 20 Who is he among all the gods of these lands, that hath delivered their country out of mine hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand? 21 Then they 1kept silence, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not. 22 Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah the steward of the house, and Shebna the chancellor, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, unto Hez ekiah with rent clothes, and told him the words of Rabshakeh. 37 2 Hezekiah asketh counsel of Isaiah, who promiseth him the victory. 10 The blasphemy of Sennacherib. 16 Hezekiah's prayer. 36 The army of Sennacherib is slain of the Angel. 38 And he himself of his own sons.
trust, that thou rebellest against me? 6 Lo, thou trustest in this broken staff of reed, on Egypt, whereupon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is 1Pharaoh King of Egypt unto all that trust in him. 7 But if thou say unto me, We trust in the Lord our God, is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah took down, and said to Judah and to Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar? 8 Now therefore give hostages to my Lord the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them. 9 For how canst thou 1despise any captain of the 2least of my lord's servants? and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? 10 And am I now come up without the Lord to this land to destroy it? The Lord said unto me, 1Go up against this land and destroy it. 11 ¶ Then said Eliakim, and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, 1Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Aramite's language (for we understand it) and talk not with us in the Jews' tongue, in the audience of the people that are on the wall. 12 Then said Rabshakeh, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words, and not to the men that sit on the wall? that they may eat their own thing, and drink their own 1piss with you? 13 So Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and said, Hear the words of the great King, of the King of Assyria. 14 Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you. 15 Neither let Hezekiah make you to trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us: this city shall not be given over into the hand of the king of Assyria. 16 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make 1appointment with me, and
chapter 37
a 2 Kings 19:1
1 And awhen the King Hezekiah heard it, he 1rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth and came into the house of the Lord. 2 And he sent Eliakim the steward of the house, and Shebna the chancellor, with the Elders of the Priests, clothed in sackcloth unto 1Isaiah the Prophet the son of Amoz. 3 And he said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of tribulation and of rebuke and blasphemy: for the children are come to the 1birth, and there is no strength to bring forth.
36:6 1 Satan labored to pull the godly King from one vain confi dence to another: to wit, from trust in the Egyptians, whose power was weak and would deceive them, to yield himself to the Assyrians, and so not to hope for any help of God. 36:9 1 Or, turn back. 2 He reproacheth to Hezekiah his small power, which is not able to resist one of Sennacherib's least captains. 36:10 1 Thus the wicked to deceive us, will pretend the Name of the Lord: but we must try the spirits, whether they be of God or no. 36:11 1 They were afraid, lest by his words, he should have stirred up the people against the King, and also pretended to grow to some appointment with him. 36:12 1 Hebrew, the water of their feet. 36:16 1 The Hebrew word signifieth blessing, whereby this wicked captain would have persuaded the people, that their condition should be better under Sennacherib than under Hezekiah.
36:19 1 That is, of Antioch in Syria, of the which these two other cities also were: whereby we see how every town had his peculiar idol, and how the wicked make God an idol because they do not understand that God maketh them his scourge, and punisheth cit ies for sin. 36:21 1 Not that they did not show by evident signs that they did detest his blasphemy: for they had now rent their clothes, but they knew it was in vain to use long reasoning with this infidel, whose rage they should have so much more provoked. 37:1 1 In sign of grief and repentance. 37:2 1 To have comfort of him by the word of God, that his faith might be confirmed and so his prayer be more earnest: teaching hereby that in all dangers these two are the only remedies, to seek unto God and his ministers. 37:3 1 We are in as great sorrow as a woman that travaileth of child, and cannot be delivered.
Isaiah 37:4 712
4 If so be the Lord thy God hath 1heard the words of Rabshakeh, whom the King of Assyria his master hath sent to rail on the living God, and to reproach him with words, which the Lord thy God hath heard, then 2lift thou up thy prayer for the remnant that are left. 5 So the servants of the King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6 And Isaiah said unto them, Thus say unto your master, Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the King of Assyria have blasphemed me. 7 Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a 1noise, and return to his own land, and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land. 8 ¶ So Rabshakeh returned, and found the King of Assyria fighting against 1Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish. 9 He heard also men say of Tirhakah, King of Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight against thee: and when he heard it, he sent other messengers to Hezekiah, saying, 10 Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah King of Judah, saying, Let not thy God 1deceive thee, in whom thou trustest, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the King of Assyria. 11 Behold, thou hast heard what the Kings of Assyria have done to all lands in destroying them, and shalt thou be delivered? 12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have destroyed? as 1Gozan, and
the Lord. 15 And Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord, saying, 16 O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, which 1dwellest between the Cherubims, thou art very God alone over all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made the heaven and the earth. 17 Incline thine ear, O Lord, and hear: open thine eyes, O Lord, and see, and hear all the words of Sennacherib, who hath sent to blaspheme the living God. 18 Truth it is, O Lord, that the Kings of Assyria have destroyed all lands and 1their country, 19 And have cast their gods in the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, even wood or stone: therefore they destroyed them. 20 Now therefore, O Lord our God, save thou us out of his hand, that 1all the kingdoms of the earth may know, that thou only art the Lord. 21 ¶ Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Because thou hast prayed unto me, concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria, 22 This is the word that the Lord hath spoken against him, The 1virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn: the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee. 23 Whom hast thou railed on and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the 1holy One of Israel. 24 By thy servants hast thou railed on the Lord, and said, By the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the top of the mountains to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the high cedars thereof, and the fair fir trees thereof, and I will go up to the heights of his top, and to the forest of his fruitful places. 25 I have dug, 1and drunk the waters, and with the plant of my feet have I dried all the rivers closed in. 26 Hast thou not heard how I have of old time made it, 1and have formed it long ago? and should
2Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden, which were at Telassar? 13 Where is the king of Hamath, and the King of Arpad, and the King of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? 14 ¶ So Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it, and he went up into the house of the Lord, and Hezekiah spread it before
37:4 1 That is, will declare by effect that he hath heard it: for when God deferreth to punish, it seemeth to the flesh, that he knoweth not the sin, or heareth not the cause. 2 Declaring that the minister's office doth not only stand in com forting by the word, but also in praying for the people. 37:7 1 Of the Egyptians and Ethiopians, that shall come and fight against him. 37:8 1 Which was a city toward Egypt, thinking thereby to have stayed the force of his enemies. 37:10 1 Thus God would have him to utter a most horrible blas phemy before his destruction: as to call the author of all truth, a deceiver: some gather hereby that Shebna had disclosed unto Sen nacherib the answer that Isaiah sent to the king. 37:12 1 Which was a city of the Medes. 2 Called also Charre a city in Mesopotamia, whence Abraham came after his father's death. 37:16 1 He groundeth his prayer on God's promise, who promised to
hear them from between the Cherubims. 37:18 1 Meaning, the ten tribes. 37:20 1 He declareth for what cause he prayed, that they might be delivered: to wit, that God might be glorified thereby through all the world. 37:22 1 Whom God had chosen to himself as a chaste virgin, and over whom he had care to preserve her from the lusts of the tyrant, as a father would have over his daughter. 37:23 1 Declaring hereby that they that are enemies to God's Church, fight against him whose quarrel his Church only maintaineth. 37:25 1 He boasteth of his policy, in that that he can find means to nourish his army: and of his power in that that his army is so great, that it is able to dry up whole rivers, and to destroy the waters which the Jews had closed in. 37:26 1 Signifying, that God made not his Church to destroy it, but to preserve it: and therefore he saith that he formed it of old, even in his eternal counsel which cannot be changed.
713 Isaiah 38:8
I now bring it, that it should be destroyed, and laid on ruinous heaps, as cities defensed? 27 Whose inhabitants have 1small power, and are afraid and confounded: they are like the grass of the field and green herb, or grass on the house tops, or corn blasted 2afore it be grown. 28 But I know thy dwelling, and thy 1going out, and thy coming in, and thy fury against me. 29 Because thou ragest against me, and thy tumult is come unto mine ears, therefore will I put mine 1hook in thy nostrils, and my bridle in thy lips, and will bring thee back again the same way thou 2camest. 30 And this shall be a 1sign unto thee, O Hezekiah, Thou shalt eat this year such as groweth of itself: and the 2second year such things as grow without sowing: and in the third year, sow ye and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof. 31 And 1the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah, shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. 32 For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this. 33 Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the King of Assyria, He shall not enter into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a mount against it. 34 By the same way that he came, he shall return, and not come into this city, saith the Lord. 35 For I will defend this city to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant 1David's sake. 36 ¶ bThen the Angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of Assyria, an hundred fourscore, and five thousand: so when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went away and returned and dwelt at 1Nineveh. 38 And as he was in the Temple worshipping of Nisroch his god, Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons slew him with the sword, and they escaped into the land of 1Ararat: and 2Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead. 38 1 Hezekiah is sick. 5 He is restored to health by the Lord, and liveth fifteen years after. 10 He giveth thanks for his benefit.
b 2 Kings 19:35
2 Chron. 32:21
chapter 38
a 2 Kings 20:1
2 Chron. 32:4
1 About athat 1time was Hezekiah sick unto the death, and the Prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Put thine house in an order, for thou shalt die, and not live. 2 Then Hezekiah 1turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the Lord, 3 And said, I beseech thee, Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight: and Hezekiah wept sore. 4 ¶ Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying, 5 Go, and say unto Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, and seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years. 6 And I will deliver thee 1out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and this city: for I will defend this city. 7 And 1this sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he hath spoken, 8 Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees (whereby it is gone down in the dial of Ahaz by the 1sun) ten degrees backward: so the sun
37:27 1 Hebrew, are short in hand. 2 He showeth that the state and power of most flourishing cities endureth but a moment in respect of the Church, which shall remain forever, because God is the maintainer thereof. 37:28 1 Meaning, his counsels and enterprises. 37:29 1 Because Sennacherib showed himself, as a devouring fish and furious beast, he useth these similitudes, to teach how he will take him and guide him. 2 Thou shalt lose thy labor. 37:30 1 God giveth signs after two sorts: some go before the thing, as the signs that Moses wrought in Egypt, which were for the con firmation of their faith, and some go after the thing, as the sacrifice, which they were commanded to make three days after their depar ture: and these latter are to keep the benefits of God in our remem brance: of the which sort this here is. 2 He promiseth that for two years the ground of itself should feed them. 37:31 1 They whom God hath delivered out of the hands of the Assyrians, shall prosper: and this properly belongeth to the Church. 37:35 1 For my promise sake made to David. 37:37 1 Which was the chiefest city of the Assyrians.
37:38 1 Or, Armenia. 2 Who was also called Sardanapalus, in whose days ten years after Sennacherib's death the Chaldeans overcame the Assyrians by Mero dach their king. 38:1 1 Soon after that the Assyrians were slain: so that God will have the exercise of his children continually, that they may learn only to depend upon God and aspire to the heavens. 38:2 1 For his heart was touched with fear of God's judgment, seeing he had appointed him to die so quickly after his deliver ance from so great calamity, as one unworthy to remain in that estate, and also foreseeing the great change that should come in the Church, forasmuch as he left no son to reign after him: for as yet Manasseh was not born, and when he reigned, we see what a tyrant he was. 38:6 1 He doth not only promise to prolong his life, but to give him rest and quietness from the Assyrians, who might have renewed their army to revenge their former discomfiture. 38:7 1 For Hezekiah had asked for the confirmation of his faith, a sign, as verse 22, and 2 Kings 20:8, whereunto he was moved by the singular motion of God's spirit. 38:8 1 Read 2 Kings 20:10.
Isaiah 38:9 714
hope for thy truth. 19 But the living, the living, he shall confess thee, as I do this day: the father to the 1children shall declare thy truth. 20 The Lord was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my song, all the days of 1our life in the house of the Lord. 21 Then said Isaiah, Take a lump of dry figs and 1lay it upon the boil, and he shall recover. 22 Also Hezekiah 1had said, What is the sign, that I shall go up into the house of the Lord? 39 Hezekiah is reproved because he showed his treasures unto the ambassadors of Babylon.
returned by ten degrees, by the which degrees it was gone down. 9 1The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness. 10 I said in the 1cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years. 11 I said, 1I shall not see the Lord, even the Lord in the land of the living: I shall see man no more among the inhabitants of the world. 12 Mine habitation is departed, and is removed from me, like a shepherd's tent: I 1have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off from the height: from day 2to night, thou wilt make an end of me. 13 I reckoned 1to the morning: but he brake all my bones like a lion, from day to night wilt thou make an end of me. 14 Like a crane or a swallow, so did I 1chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes were lifted up on high: O Lord, 2it hath oppressed me, comfort me. 15 What shall I say, 1for he hath said it to me, and he hath done it: I shall walk 2weakly all my years in the bitterness of my soul. 16 O Lord, 1to them that overlive them, and to all that are in them, the life of my spirit shall be known, that thou causest me to 2sleep and hast given life to me. 17 Behold, for 1felicity I had bitter grief, but it was thy pleasure to deliver my soul from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my 2sins behind thy back. 18 For 1the grave cannot confess thee: death cannot praise thee: they that go down into the pit, cannot
chapter 39
a 2 Kings 20:12
1 At athe same time, 1Merodach Baladan, the son of Baladan, King of Babel, sent 2letters, and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered. 2 And Hezekiah was 1glad of them, and showed them the house of the treasures, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures; there was nothing in his house, nor in all his kingdom that Hezekiah showed them not. 3 Then came Isaiah the Prophet unto King Hezeki ah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they to thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, from Babel. 4 Then said he, What have 1they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen; there is nothing among my treasures, that I have not showed them.
38:9 1 He left this song of his lamentation and thanksgiving to all posterity, as a monument of his own infirmity and thankful heart for God's benefits, as David did, Ps. 51. 38:10 1 At what time it was told me, that I should die. 38:11 1 I shall no more praise the Lord here in this Temple among the faithful: thus God suffereth his dearest children to want his con solation for a time, that his grace afterward may the more appear when they feel their own weakness. 38:12 1 By my sin I have provoked God to take my life from me. 2 That is, in one day, or shortly. 38:13 1 Over night I thought that I should live till morning, but my pangs in the night persuaded me the contrary: he showeth the hor ror that the faithful have when they apprehend God's judgment against their sin. 38:14 1 I was so oppressed with sorrow, that I was not able to utter my words, but only to groan and sigh. 2 To wit, sorrow and grief both of the body and mind. 38:15 1 God hath declared by his Prophet that I shall die and there fore I will yield unto him. 2 I shall have no release, but continual sorrows while I live. 38:16 1 They that shall overlive the men that are now alive, and all they that are in these years shall acknowledge this benefit. 2 That after that thou hadst condemned me to death thou restoredst me to life. 38:17 1 Whereas I thought to have lived in rest and ease being deliv
ered from mine enemy, I had grief upon grief. 2 He esteemeth more the remission of his sins, and God's favor than a thousand lives. 38:18 1 Forasmuch as God hath placed man in this world to glorify him, the godly take it as a sign of his wrath, when their days were shortened, either because that they seemed unworthy for their sins to live longer in his service, or for their zeal to God's glory, seeing that there are so few in earth that do regard it, as Ps. 6:5; 115:17. 38:19 1 All posterity shall acknowledge, and the fathers according to their duty toward their children shall instruct them in thy graces, and mercies toward me. 38:20 1 He showeth what is the use of the Congregation and Church, to wit, to give the Lord thanks for his benefits. 38:21 1 Read 2 Kings 20:7. 38:22 1 As verse 7. 39:1 1 This was the first king of Babylon, which overcame the Assyr ians in the tenth year of his reign. 2 Partly moved with the greatness of the miracle, partly because he showed himself enemy to his enemies, but chiefly because he would join with them whom God favored, and have their help, if occasion served. 39:2 1 Read 2 Kings 20:13 and 2 Chron. 32:25, 31. 39:4 1 He asketh him of the particulars, to make him understand the craft of the wicked, which he before being overcome with their flat tery and blinded with ambition, could not see.
715 Isaiah 40:18
5 And Isaiah said to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord of hosts, 6 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be 1carried to Babel: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord. 7 And of thy sons, that shall proceed out of thee, and which thou shalt beget, shall they take away, and they shall be 1eunuchs in the palace of the King of Babel. 8 1Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, The word of the Lord is good, which thou hast spoken: and he said, Yet let there be peace, and truth in my days. 40 2 Remission of sins by Christ. 3 The coming of John Baptist. 18 The Prophet reproveth the Idolaters, and them that trust not in the Lord.
the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the 1Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. 8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the 1word of our God shall stand forever. 9 ¶ O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high 1mountain: O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength: lift it up, be not afraid: say unto the cities of Judah, Behold 2your God. 10 Behold, the Lord God will come with power, and 1his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall guide them with 1young. 12 Who hath measured the waters in his 1fist? and counted heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure? and weighed the mountains in a weight, and the hills in a balance? 13 Who hath instructed the spirit of the Lord? or was 1his counselor, or taught him? 14 Of whom took the counsel, and who instructed him and taught him in the way of judgment? or taught him knowledge, and showed unto him the way of understanding? 15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the dust of the balance: behold, he taketh away the isles as a little dust. 16 And Lebanon is not sufficient for fire, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. 17 All nations before him are as 1nothing, and they are counted to him, less than nothing, and vanity. 18 To whom then 1will ye liken God? or what
1 Comfort 1ye, comfort ye my people, will your God say. 2 Speak comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her 1warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she hath received of the Lord's hand 2double for all her sins. 3 A 1voice crieth in the 2wilderness, 3Prepare ye the way of the Lord: make straight in the desert a path for our God. 4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every 1mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked shall be straight, and the rough places plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all 1flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. 6 A 1voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the 2grace thereof is as
39:6 1 By the grievousness of the punishment is declared how greatly God detested ambition and vain glory. 39:7 1 That is, officers and servants. 39:8 1 Read 2 Kings 20:19. 40:1 1 This is a consolation for the Church, assuring them, that they shall be never destitute of Prophets whereby he exhorteth the true ministers of God that then were, and those also that should come after him, to comfort the poor afflicted, and to assure them of their deliverance both of body and soul. 40:2 1 The time of her affliction. 2 Meaning, sufficient, as Isa. 61:7, and full correction, or double grace, whereas she deserved double punishment. 40:3 1 To wit, of the Prophets. 2 That is, in Babylon and other places, where they were kept in captivity, and misery. 3 Meaning Cyrus and Darius which should deliver God's people out of captivity, and make them a ready way to Jerusalem: and this was fully accomplished, when John the Baptist brought tidings of Jesus Christ's coming, who was the true deliverer of his Church from sin and Satan, Matt. 3:3. 40:4 1 Whatsoever may let or hinder this deliverance, shall be removed. 40:5 1 This miracle shall be so great, that it shall be known through all the world.
40:6 1 The voice of God which spake to the Prophet Isaiah. 2 Meaning, all man's wisdom and natural powers, James 1:10; 1 Pet. 1:24. 40:7 1 The spirit of God shall discover the vanity in all that seem to have any excellency of themselves. 40:8 1 Though considering the frailty of man's nature many of the Jews should perish, and so not be partakers of this deliverance, yet God's promise should be fulfilled, and they that remained, should feel the fruit thereof. 40:9 1 To publish this benefit through all the world. 2 He showeth at one word the perfection of all man's felicity, which is to have God's presence. 40:10 1 His power shall be sufficient without help of any other, and shall have all means in himself to bring his will to pass. 40:11 1 He shall show his care and favor over them that are weak and tender. 40:12 1 Declaring that as God only hath all power, so doth he use the same for the defense and maintenance of his Church. 40:13 1 He showeth God's infinite wisdom for the same. 40:17 1 He speaketh all this to the intent that they should neither fear man nor put their trust in any, save only in God. 40:18 1 Hereby he armeth them against the idolatry, wherewith they should be tempted in Babylon.
Isaiah 40:19 716
similitude will ye set up unto him? 19 The workman melteth an image, or the goldsmith beateth it out in gold, or the goldsmith maketh silver plates. 20 Doth not 1the poor choose out a tree that will not rot, for an oblation? he seeketh also unto him a cunning workman, to prepare an image that shall not be moved. 21 Know ye nothing? have ye not heard 1it? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood it by the 2foundation of the earth? 22 He sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers, he stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out, as a tent to dwell in. 23 He bringeth the princes to nothing, and maketh the judges of the earth, as vanity, 24 As though they were not planted, as though they were not sown, as though their stock took no root in the earth: for he did even 1blow upon them, and they withered, and the whirlwind will take them away as stubble. 25 To whom now will ye liken me, that I should be like him, saith the Holy one? 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, and bringeth 1out their armies by number, and calleth them all by names: by the greatness of his power and mighty strength nothing faileth. 27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest O Israel, 1My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over of my God? 28 Knowest thou not? or hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord hath created the 1ends of the earth? he neither fainteth, nor is weary: there is no searching of his 2understanding. 29 But he giveth strength unto him that fainteth, and unto him that hath no strength, he increaseth power.
30 1Even the young men shall faint, and be weary, and the young men shall stumble and fall. 31 But they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength: they shall lift up the wings, as the eagles: they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint. 41 2 God's mercy in choosing his people. 6 Their idolatry. 27 Deliverance promised to Zion.
1 Keep 1silence before me, O islands, and let the people 2renew their strength: let them come near, and let them speak: let us come together into judgment. 2 Who raised up 1justice from the East, and called him to his foot? and gave the nations before him, and subdued the kings? he gave them as dust to his sword, and as scattered stubble unto his bow. 3 He pursued them, and passed safely by the way that he had not gone with his feet. 4 Who hath wrought and done it? he that calleth the 1generations from the beginning. I the Lord am the 2first, and with the last I am the same. 5 The isles saw it, and did 1fear, and the ends of the earth were abashed, drew near, and 2came. 6 Every man helped his neighbor, and said to his brother, 1Be strong. 7 So the workman comforted the founder, and he that smote with the hammer, him that smote by course, saying, It is ready for the soldering, and he fastened it with nails that it should not be moved. 8 ¶ But thou, Israel, art my 1servant, and thou Jacob, whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. 9 For I have taken thee from the ends of the earth, and called thee before the chief thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant: I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. 10 Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not afraid, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, and help thee, and will sustain thee with the 1right hand of
40:20 1 He showeth the rage of the idolaters, seeing that the poor that have not to suffice their own necessities, will defraud themselves to serve their idols. 40:21 1 Have ye not the word of God, which plainly condemneth idolatry? 2 Can you not learn by the visible creatures whom God hath made to observe your use, that you should not serve them nor worship them? 40:24 1 So that his power appeareth in every place wheresoever we turn our eyes. 40:26 1 Who hath set in order the infinite number of the stars. 40:27 1 He rebuketh the Jews, because they did not rest on the provi dence of God, but thought that he had forsaken them in their troubles. 40:28 1 And therefore all power is in his hand to deliver when his time cometh. 2 Showing that men must patiently abide, and not curiously seek out the cause of God's delay in our afflictions. 40:30 1 They that trust in their own virtue, and do not acknowledge that all cometh of God.
41:1 1 God as though he pleaded his cause with all nations, requireth silence, that he may be heard in his right. 2 That is, gather all their power and supports. 41:2 1 Who called Abraham (who was the pattern of God's justice in delivering his Church) from the idolatry of the Chaldeans to go to and fro at his commandment, and placed him in the land of Canaan. 41:4 1 Who hath created man and maintained his succession. 2 Though the world set up never so many gods, yet they diminish nothing of my glory: for I am all one, unchangeable, which have ever been, and shall be forever. 41:5 1 Considering mine excellent works among my people. 2 They assembled themselves and conspired against me to main tain their idolatry. 41:6 1 He noteth the obstinacy of the idolaters to maintain their superstitions. 41:8 1 And therefore oughtest not to pollute thyself with the super stition of the Gentiles. 41:10 1 That is, by the force of promise, in the performance whereof I will show myself faithful and just.
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my justice. 11 Behold, all they that provoke thee, shall be ashamed, and confounded: they shall be as nothing, and they that strive with thee shall perish. 12 Thou shalt seek them and shalt not 1find them: to wit, the men of thy strife, for they shall be as nothing, and the men that war against thee, as a thing of nought. 13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not, I will help thee. 14 Fear not thou 1worm, Jacob, and ye men of Israel: I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer the holy One of Israel. 15 Behold, I will make thee a roller, and a new threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the 1mountains, and bring them to powder, and shalt make the hills as chaff. 16 Thou 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. 17 When 1the poor and the needy seek water, and there is none (their tongue faileth for thirst: I the Lord will hear them: I the God of Israel will not forsake them:) 18 I will open rivers in the tops of the hills, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness as a pool of water, and the waste 1land as springs of water. 19 I will set in the wilderness the cedar, the Shittah, and the myrrhe tree, and the pine tree, and I will set in the wilderness the fir tree, the elm and the box tree together. 20 Therefore let them see and know, and let them consider and understand together that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the holy One of Israel
1hath created it. 21 1Stand to your cause, saith the Lord: bring forth your strong reasons saith the King of Jacob. 22 Let them bring them forth, and let them tell us what shall come, let them show the former things what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them: either declare us things for to come. 23 Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good or do evil, that we may declare it, and behold it together. 24 Behold, ye are of no value, and your making is of naught: man hath 1chosen an abomination by them. 25 ¶ I have raised up from the 1North, and he shall come: from the East sun shall he 2call upon my name, and shall come upon 3princes as upon clay, and as the potter treadeth mire under the foot. 26 Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? or before time, that we may say, He is righteous? Surely there is none that showeth: surely there is none that declareth: surely there is none that heareth 1your words. 27 I am the first, that saith to Zion, Behold, behold 1them: and I will give to Jerusalem 2one that shall bring good tidings. 28 But when 1I beheld, there was none: and when I inquired of them, there was no counselor, and when I demanded of them, they answered not a word. 29 Behold, they are all vanity: their work is of nothing, their images are wind and confusion. 42 1 The obedience and humility of Christ. 6 Why he was sent into the world. 11 The vocation of the Gentiles.
1 Behold, 1my servant: 2I will stay upon him: mine elect, in whom my soul 3delighteth: I have put
41:12 1 Because they shall be destroyed. 41:14 1 Thus he calleth them because they were contemned of all the world, and that they considering their own poor estate, should seek unto him for help. 41:15 1 I will make thee able to destroy all thine enemies, be they never so mighty: and this chiefly is referred to the kingdom of Christ. 41:17 1 That is, they that shall be afflicted in the captivity of Babylon. 41:18 1 God will rather change the order of nature than they should want anything, that cry to him by true faith in their miseries: declar ing to them hereby that they shall lack nothing by the way, when they return from Babylon. 41:20 1 That is, hath appointed and determined that it shall come so to pass. 41:21 1 He biddeth the idolaters to prove their religion, and to bring forth their idols, that they may be tried whether they know all things, and can do all things: which if they cannot do, he concludeth that they are no gods, but vile idols. 41:24 1 So that a man cannot make an idol, but he must do that which God detesteth and abhoreth: for he chooseth his own devices and forsaketh the Lord's.
41:25 1 Meaning, the Chaldeans. 2 That is, Cyrus, who shall do all things in my name and by my direction: whereby he meaneth that both their captivity and deliver ance shall be ordered by God's providence and appointment. 3 Both of the Chaldeans and others. 41:26 1 Meaning, that none of the Gentile gods can work any of these things. 41:27 1 That is, the Israelites which return from the captivity. 2 To wit, a continual succession of Prophets and ministers. 41:28 1 When I looked whether the idols could do these things, I found that they had neither wisdom nor power to do anything: there fore he concludeth that all are wicked, that trust in such vanities. 42:1 1 That is, Christ, who in respect of his manhood is called here servant. The Prophets used to make mention of Christ after that they have declared any great promise, because he is the foundation whereupon all the promises are made and ratified. 2 For I have committed all my power to him, as to a most faithful steward: Some read, I will establish him: to wit, in his office by giving him the fullness of my Spirit. 3 He only is acceptable to me, and they that come unto me by him: for there is no other means of reconciliation, Matt. 12:18; Eph. 4:1.
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my Spirit upon him: he shall bring forth 4judgment to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not 1cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A 1bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking 2flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment in 3truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged till he have 1set judgment in the earth: and the 2isles shall wait for his Law. 5 Thus saith God the Lord (he that created the heavens and spread them abroad: he that stretched forth the earth, and the buds thereof: he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein) 6 I the Lord have called thee in 1righteousness, and will hold 2thine hand, and I will keep thee, and give thee for a 3covenant of the people, and for a light of the Gentiles, 7 That thou mayest open the eyes of the blind, and bring out the prisoners from the prison: and them that sit in darkness, out of the prison house. 8 I am the Lord, this is my Name, and my 1glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. 9 Behold, the former things are 1come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they come forth, I tell you of them. 10 Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth: ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the isles and the inhabitants thereof. 11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the towns that 1Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rocks sing: let them shout from the top of the mountains. 12 Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare
his praise in the islands. 13 The Lord shall go forth as a 1giant; he shall stir up his courage like a man of war: he shall shout and cry, and shall prevail against his enemies. 14 I have a long time held my peace: I have been still and refrained myself; now will I cry like a 1travailing 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 floods islands, and I will dry up the pools. 16 ¶ And I will bring the 1blind by a way, that they knew not, and lead them by 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, and say to the molten images, Ye are our gods. 18 ¶ Hear, ye deaf: and ye blind, regard, that ye may see. 19 Who is blind but my 1servant? or deaf as my 2messenger, that I sent? who is blind as the 3perfect, and blind as the Lord's servant? 20 Seeing many things, but thou keepest them not? opening the ears, but he heareth not? 21 The Lord is willing for his righteousness sake, that he may magnify the Law and exalt it. 22 But this people is 1robbed and spoiled, and shall be all snared in dungeons, and they shall be hid in prison houses; they shall be for prey, and none shall deliver: a spoil, and none shall say, 2Restore. 23 Who among you shall hearken to this, and take heed, and hear for 1afterwards? 24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? Did not the Lord, because we have sinned against him? for they would not walk in his ways, neither be obedient unto his Law.
42:1 4 He shall declare himself governor over the Gentiles, and call them by his word, and rule them by his Spirit. 42:2 1 His coming shall not be with pomp and noise, as earthly princes. 42:3 1 He will not hurt the weak and feeble, but support and com fort them. 2 Meaning, the wick of a lamp, or candle which is almost out, but he will cherish it and snuff it, that it may shine brighter. 3 Although he favor the weak, yet will he not spare the wicked, but will judge them according to truth and equity. 42:4 1 Till he have set all things in good order. 2 The Gentiles shall be desirous to receive his doctrine. 42:6 1 Meaning, unto a lawful and just vocation. 2 To assist and guide thee. 3 As him, by whom the promise made to all nations in Abraham shall be fulfilled. 42:8 1 I will not suffer my glory to be diminished: which I should do if I were not faithful in performing the same, and the idolaters thereby would extol their idols above me. 42:9 1 As in time past I have been true in my promises, so will I be
in time to come. 42:11 1 Meaning, the Arabians, under whom he comprehendeth all the people of the East. 42:13 1 He showeth the zeal of the Lord, and his power in the con servation of his Church. 42:14 1 I will haste to execute my vengeance, which I have so long deferred as a woman that desireth to be delivered, when she is in travail. 42:16 1 That is, my poor people, which are in perplexity and care. 42:19 1 To wit, Israel, which should have most light because of my Law. 2 The Priest to whom my word is committed, which should not only hear it himself, but cause others to hear it. 3 As the Priests and Prophets that should be lights to others? 42:22 1 Because they will not acknowledge this benefit of the Lord, who is ready to deliver them, he suffereth them to be spoiled of their enemies through their own fault and incredulity. 2 There shall be none to succor them, or to will the enemy to restore that which he hath spoiled. 42:23 1 Meaning, God's wrath.
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fied: but let them 3hear, and say, It is truth. 10 You 1are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my 2servant, whom I have chosen: therefore ye shall know and believe me, and ye shall understand that I am: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 11 I, even I am the Lord, and beside me there is no Savior. 12 I have declared, and I have saved, and I have showed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore you are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God. 13 Yea, before the day was, I am, and there is none that can deliver out of mine hand: I will do it, and who shall let it? 14 Thus saith the Lord your redeemer, the holy one of Israel, For your sake I have sent to Babel, and 1brought it down: they are all fugitives, and the Chaldeans cry in 2the ships. 15 I am the Lord your holy one, the creator of Israel, your King. 16 Thus saith the Lord which maketh a way in 1the Sea, and a path in the mighty 2waters. 17 When he 1bringeth out the 2chariot and horse, the army and the power lie together, and shall not rise, they are extinct, and quenched as tow. 18 Remember ye not the former things, neither regard the things of old. 19 Behold, I do a new thing: now shall it come forth: shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the 1desert, and floods in the wilderness. 20 The wild 1beasts shall honor me, the dragons and the ostriches, because I gave water in the desert, and floods in the wilderness to give drink to my people, even to mine elect. 21 This people have I formed for myself: they shall show forth my praise. 22 And thou hast not 1called upon me, O Jacob,
25 Therefore he hath poured upon him his fierce wrath, and the strength of battle; and it set him on fire round about, and he knew not, and it burned him up, yet he considered not. 43 1 The Lord comforteth his people. He promiseth deliverance to the Jews. 11 There is no God but one alone.
1 But now thus saith the Lord, 1that created thee, O Jacob: and he that formed thee, O Israel, 2Fear not: for I have redeemed thee: I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the 1waters, I will be with thee, and through the floods, that they do not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the very fire, thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the Lord thy God, the holy one of Israel, thy Savior: I gave 1Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia, and Seba for thee. 4 Because thou wast precious in my sight, and thou wast honorable, and I loved thee, therefore will I give 1man for thee, and people for thy sake. 5 Fear not, for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the 1East, and gather thee from the West. 6 I will say to the North, Give: and to the South, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth. 7 Everyone shall be called by my 1Name: for I created him for my glory, formed him and made him. 8 I will bring forth the blind people, and they shall have eyes, and the deaf, and they shall have ears. 9 Let all the nations be gathered 1together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and show us former things? let them bring forth their 2witnesses, that they may be justi-
43:1 1 After these threatenings he promiseth deliverance to his Church, because he hath regenerated them, adopted them, and called them. 2 When thou seest dangers and conspiracies on all sides, remem ber this benefit and the love of thy God, and it shall encourage thee. 43:2 1 By water and fire he meaneth all kind of troubles and perils. 43:3 1 I turned Sennacherib's power against these countries, and made them to suffer that affliction which thou shouldest have done, and so were as the payment of thy ransom, Isa. 37:9. 43:4 1 I will not spare any man, rather than thou shouldest perish, for God more esteemeth one of his faithful than all the wicked in the world. 43:5 1 He prophesieth of their deliverance from the captivity of Babylon, and so of the calling of the universal Church, alluding to that which is written, Deut. 30:3. 43:7 1 Meaning, that he could not be unmindful of them, except he would neglect his own Name and glory. 43:9 1 Signifying, that no power can resist him in doing this miracu lous work, nor all their idols are able to do the like, as Isa. 41:22. 2 To prove that the things which are spoken of them, are true. 3 Showing, that the malice of the wicked hindereth them in the
knowledge of the truth, because they will not hear when God speak eth by his word. 43:10 1 The Prophets and people to whom I have given my Law. 2 Meaning specially Christ, and by him all the faithful. 43:14 1 By Darius and Cyrus. 2 They shall cry when they would escape by my water, seeing that the course of Euphrates is turned another way by the enemy. 43:16 1 When he delivered Israel from Pharaoh, Exod. 14:22. 2 When the Israelites passed through Jordan, Josh. 3:17. 43:17 1 When he delivered his people out of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh and his mighty army. 43:19 1 Meaning, that their deliverance out of Babylon should be more famous than that from Egypt was, Jer. 23:7; Hag. 2:10; 2 Cor. 5:17; Rev. 21:5, 7. 43:20 1 They shall have such abundance of all things as they return home, even in the dry and barren places, that the very beasts shall feel my benefits, and shall acknowledge them: much more men ought to be thankful for the same. 43:22 1 Thou hast not worshipped me as thou oughtest to have done.
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but thou hast 2wearied me, O Israel. 23 Thou 1hast not brought me the sheep of thy burnt offerings, neither hast thou honored me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. 24 Thou broughtest me no sweet 1savor with money, neither hast thou made me drunk with the fat of thy sacrifices, but thou hast made me to 2serve with thy sins, and wearied me with thine iniquities. 25 I, even I am he that putteth away thine iniquities for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. 26 Put me in 1remembrance: let us be judged together: count thou that thou mayest be justified. 27 Thy 1first father hath sinned, and thy 2teachers have transgressed against me. 28 Therefore I have 1profaned the rulers of the Sanctuary, and have made Jacob a curse, and Israel a reproach. 44 1 The Lord promiseth comfort, and that he will assemble his Church of divers nations. 9 The vanity of Idols. 17 The beastliness of idolaters.
4 And they 1shall grow as among the grass, and as the willows by the rivers of waters. 5 One shall say, I am the Lord's: another 1shall be called by the name of Jacob: and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and name himself by the name of Israel. 6 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel and his redeemer, the Lord of hosts, 1I am the first, and I am the last, and without me is there no God. 7 And who is like me, that shall 1call and shall declare it, and set 2it in order before me, since I appointed the 3ancient people? and what is at hand, and what things are to come? let 4them show unto them. 8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee of old, and have declared it? 1you are even my witnesses, whether there be a God beside me, and that there is no God that I know not. 9 All they that make an image, are vanity, and 1their delectable things shall nothing profit: and they are their own witnesses, 2that they see not nor know: therefore they shall be confounded. 10 Who hath made a 1god, or molten an image, that is 2profitable for nothing? 11 Behold, all that are of the 1fellowship thereof, shall be confounded: for the workmen themselves are men: let them all be gathered together, and 2stand up, yet they shall fear, and be confounded together. 12 The smith taketh an instrument, and worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms, yea, he is 1an hungered, and his strength faileth, he drinketh no water, and is faint.
1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant, and Israel whom I have chosen. 2 Thus saith the Lord, that made thee, and formed 1thee from the womb: he will help thee. Fear not, O Jacob, my servant, and thou righteous 2whom I have chosen. 3 For I will pour water upon the 1thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thy buds.
2 Because thou hast not willingly received that which I did com mand thee, thou didst grieve me. Whereby he showeth that his mer cies were the only cause of their deliverance, forasmuch as they had deserved the contrary. 43:23 1 Meaning, in true faith and obedience. 43:24 1 Either for the composition of the sweet ointment, Exod. 30:34, or for the sweet incense, Exod. 30:7. 2 Thou hast made me to bear an heavy burden by thy sins. 43:26 1 If I forget anything that may make for thy justification, put me in remembrance and speak for thyself. 43:27 1 Thine ancestors. 2 Thy Priests and thy Prophets. 43:28 1 That is, rejected, abhorred, and destroyed them in the wil derness and at other times. 44:2 1 He treated and chose thee from the beginning of his own mercy, and before thou couldest merit anything. 2 Whom God accepteth as righteous: or which haddest occasion thereunto because of the Law, and of thine holy vocation. 44:3 1 Because man of himself is as the dry and barren land, he promiseth to moisten him with the waters of his holy Spirit, Joel 2:28; John 7:38; Acts 2:17. 44:4 1 That is, thy children and posterity shall increase wonderfully after their deliverance from Babylon. 44:5 1 By this diversity of speech he meaneth one thing, that is, that the people shall be holy, and receive the true religion of God, as Ps. 87:5.
44:6 1 I am always like myself, that is, merciful toward my Church, and most able to maintain it, as Isa. 41:4 and 48:12; Rev. 1:17 and 22:13. 44:7 1 And appoint them that shall deliver the Church. 2 That is, declare unto me how I ought to proceed herein. 3 God calleth the Israelites ancient, because he preferred them to all others in his eternal election. 4 Meaning, their idols. 44:8 1 Read Isa. 43:10. 44:9 1 Whatsoever they bestow upon their idols, to make them to seem glorious. 2 That is, the idolaters seeing their idols blind, most needs be wit nesses of their own blindness, and feeling that they are not able to help them, must confess that they have no power. 44:10 1 Meaning, that whatsoever is made by the hand of man, if he be esteemed as God, is most detestable. 2 Whereby appeareth their blasphemy, which call images the books of the laity, seeing that they are not only here called unprofit able, but Isa 41:24 abominable, and Jeremiah calleth them the work of errors, Jer. 10:15; Habakkuk, a lying teacher, Hab. 2:18. 44:11 1 That is, which by any way consent either to the making or worshipping. 2 Signifying, that the multitude shall not then save the idolaters, when God will take vengeance, although they excuse themselves thereby among men. 44:12 1 He describeth the raging affection of the idolaters, which for get their own necessities to set forth their devotion toward their idols.
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13 The carpenter stretcheth forth a line, he fashioneth it with a red thread, he planeth it, and he portrayeth it with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, and according to the beauty of a man, that it may remain in 1an house. 14 He will hew him down cedars, and take the pine tree and the oak, and taketh courage among the trees of the forest; he planteth a fir tree, and the rain doth nourish it. 15 And man burneth thereof; for he will take thereof, and 1warm himself: he also kindleth it, and baketh bread, yet he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it an idol, and boweth unto it. 16 He burneth the half thereof even in the fire, and upon the half thereof he 1eateth flesh; he roasteth the roast, and is satisfied; also he warmeth himself and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have been at the fire. 17 And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his idol; he boweth unto it, and worshippeth and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god. 18 They have not known, nor understood: 1for God hath shut their eyes that they cannot see, and their heart, that they cannot understand. 19 And none 1considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burnt half of it, even in the fire, and have baked bread also upon the coals thereof: I have roasted flesh, and eaten it, and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I bow to the stock of a tree? 20 He feedeth 1of ashes: a seduced heart hath deceived him, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand? 21 1Remember these (O Jacob and Israel) for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel forget me not. 22 I have put away thy transgressions like a cloud, and thy sins as a mist; turn unto me, for I have redeemed thee.
23 1Rejoice ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it; shout, ye lower parts of the earth; burst forth into praises, ye mountains, O forest and every tree therein: for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified in Israel. 24 Thus saith the Lord thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that made all things, that spread out the heavens alone, and stretched out the earth by myself. 25 I destroy the 1tokens of the soothsayers, and make them that conjecture, fools, and turn the wise men backward, and make their knowledge foolishness. 26 ¶ He confirmeth the word of his 1servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers, saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited: and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built up, and I will repair the decayed places thereof. 27 He saith to the 1deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy floods. 28 He saith to 1Cyrus, Thou art my shepherd, and he shall perform all my desire: saying also to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built, and to the Temple, Thy foundation shall be surely laid. 45 1 The deliverance of the people by Cyrus. 9 God is just in all his works. 20 The calling of the Gentiles.
1 Thus saith the Lord unto 1Cyrus his 2anointed, whose right hand I have holden to 3subdue nations before him: therefore will I weaken the loins of kings, and open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut. 2 I will go before thee, and make the 1crooked straight: I will break the brazen doors, and burst the iron bars. 3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and the things hid in secret places, that thou mayest 1know that I am the Lord which call thee by thy name, even the God of Israel.
44:13 1 To place it in some Temple. 44:15 1 He setteth forth the obstinacy and malice of the idolaters, which though they see by daily experience that their idols are no better than the rest of the matter whereof they are made, yet they refuse the one part, and make a god of the other, as the Papists make their cake god, and the rest of their idols. 44:16 1 That is, he either maketh a table or trenchers. 44:18 1 The Prophet giveth here an answer to all them that wonder how it is possible that any should be so blind to commit such abomination, saying, that God hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts. 44:19 1 Hebrew, turneth. 44:20 1 He is abused as one that would eat ashes, thinking to satisfy his hunger. 44:21 1 Showing that man's heart is most inclined to idolatry, and therefore he warneth his people by these examples, that they should not cleave to any but to the living God, when they should be among the idolaters. 44:23 1 He showeth that the work of the Lord toward his people shall be so great, that the insensible creatures shall be moved therewith.
44:25 1 He armeth them against the soothsayers of Babylon, which would have borne them in hand, that they knew by the stars, that God would not deliver them, and that Babylon should stand. 44:26 1 Of Isaiah and the rest of his Prophets, which did assure the Church of God's favor and deliverance. 44:27 1 He showeth that God's work should be no less notable in this their deliverance, than when he brought them out of Egypt, through the sea. 44:28 1 To assure them of their deliverance, he nameth the person by whom it should be, more than an hundred years before he was born. 45:1 1 To assure the Jews of their deliverance against the great tenta tions that they should abide, he nameth the person and the means. 2 Because Cyrus should execute the office of a deliverer, God called him his anointed for a time, but after another sort than he called David. 3 To guide him in the deliverance of my people. 45:2 1 I will take away all impediments and lets. 45:3 1 Not that Cyrus did know God to worship him aright, but he had a certain particular knowledge as profane men may have of his power, and so was compelled to deliver God's people.
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4 For Jacob my servant's 1sake, and Israel mine elect, I will even call thee by thy name, and name thee, though thou hast not known me. 5 I am the Lord, and there is none other; there is no God besides me: I 1girded thee, though thou hast not known me. 6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the West, that there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is none other. 7 I form the 1light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things. 8 Ye heavens send the dew from above, and let the clouds drop down 1righteousness: let the earth open, and let salvation and justice grow forth: let it bring them forth together: I the Lord have 2created him. 9 1Woe be unto him that striveth with his maker, the potsherd with the potsherds of the earth: shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, 2It hath none hands? 10 Woe unto him that saith to his father, What hast thou begotten? or to his mother, What hast thou brought forth? 11 Thus saith the Lord, the only one of Israel, and his maker, Ask me 1of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the works of mine hands: commend you me. 12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, whose hands have spread out the heavens, I have even commanded all their 1army. 13 I have raised 1him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for 2price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts. 14 Thus saith the Lord, The labor 1of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia, and of the Sabeans, men of stature shall come unto thee, and they shall
be 2thine: they shall follow thee, and shall go in chains: they shall fall down before thee, and make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee, and there is none other God besides. 15 Verily, thou O God 1hidest thyself, O God, the Savior of Israel. 16 All they shall be ashamed and also confounded: they shall go to confusion together, that are the makers of images. 17 But Israel shall be saved in the Lord, with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. 18 For this saith the Lord (that created heaven, God himself that formed the earth, and made it: he that prepared it, he created it not in vain: he formed it to be 1inhabited) I am the Lord, and there is none other. 19 I have not spoken in secret, neither 1in a place of darkness in the earth: I said not in vain unto the seed of Jacob, Seek you me: I the Lord do speak righteousness, and declare righteous things. 20 Assemble yourselves, and come: draw near together, 1ye abject of the Gentiles: they have no knowledge, that set up the wood of their idol, and pray unto a god, that cannot save them. 21 Tell ye and bring them, and let them take counsel together, who hath declared this from the beginning, or hath told it of old? Have not I the Lord? and there is none other God beside me, a just God, and a Savior: there is none beside me. 22 Look unto me, and ye shall be saved: all 1the ends of the earth shall be saved: for I am God, and there is none other. 23 I have sworn by myself: the word is gone out of my mouth in 1righteousness, and shall not return, That every 2knee shall bow unto me, and every tongue shall swear by me.
45:4 1 Not for any thing that is in thee, or for thy worthiness. 45:5 1 I have given thee strength, power and authority. 45:7 1 I send peace and war, prosperity and adversity, as Amos 3:6. 45:8 1 He comforteth the Jews, as if he would say, Though when ye look to the heavens and earth for succor, ye see nothing now but signs of God's wrath, yet will cause them to bring forth most certain tokens of your deliverance, and of the performance of my promise: which is meant by righteousness. 2 I have appointed Cyrus to this use and purpose. 45:9 1 Hereby he bridleth their impatience, which in adversity and trouble murmur against God, and will not tarry his pleasure: willing that man should match with his like, and not contend against God. 2 That is, it is not perfectly made. 45:11 1 Instead of murmuring, humble yourselves, and ask what ye will for the consolation of my children, and you shall be sure of it, as ye are of these things which are at your commandment. Some read it with an interrogation, and make it the application of the similitude. 45:12 1 That is, the stars. 45:13 1 To wit, Cyrus, that I may show by him the faithfulness of my promise in delivering my people. 2 Meaning, freely and without ransom, or any grievous condition.
45:14 1 These people were tributaries to the Persians, and so king Arta xerxes gave this money toward the building of the Temple, Ezra 7:27. 2 Whereas to fore they were thine enemies, they shall now honor thee, and thou shalt rule them: which was accomplished in the time of Christ. 45:15 1 Hereby he exhorteth the Jews to patience, though their deliverance be deferred for a time: showing that they should not repent their long patience, but the wicked and idolaters shall be destroyed. 45:18 1 To wit, of men, but chiefly of his Church. 45:19 1 As do the false gods, which give uncertain answers. 45:20 1 All ye idolaters which though you seem to have never so much worldly dignity, yet in God's sight you are vile and abject. 45:22 1 He calleth the idolaters to repentance, willing them to look unto him with the eye of faith. 45:23 1 That is, that the thing which I have promised shall be faith fully performed. 2 The knowledge of God and the true worshipping shall be through all the world, Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10, whereby he signifieth that we must not only serve God in heart, but declare the same also by outward profession.
723 Isaiah 47:7
10 Which declare the last thing from the beginning, and from of old: the things that were not done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do whatsoever I will. 11 I call a 1bird from the East, and the man of my 2counsel from far: as I have spoken, so will I bring it to pass: I have purposed it, and I will do it. 12 Hear me ye stubborn hearted, that are far from 1justice. 13 I bring 1near my justice: it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: for I will give salvation in Zion, and my glory unto Israel. 47 The destruction of Babylon, and the causes wherefore.
24 Surely 1he shall say, In the Lord have I righteousness and strength: he shall come unto him, and all that 2provoke him shall be ashamed. 25 The whole seed of Israel shall be justified, and glory in the Lord. 46 1 The destruction of Babylon and of their idols. 3 He calleth the Jews to the consideration of his works.
1 Bel is bowed down: 1Nebo is fallen: their idols were upon their 2beasts, and upon the cattle: they which did bear you, were laden with a weary burden. 2 1They are bowed down, and fallen together, for they could not rid them of the burden, and their 2soul is gone into captivity. 3 Hear ye me, O house of Jacob, and all that remain of the house of Israel, which are 1born of me from the womb, and brought up of me from the birth. 4 Therefore unto 1old age, I the same, even I will bear you until the hoary hairs: I have made you: I will also bear you, and I will carry you, and I will deliver you. 5 ¶ To whom will ye make me like, or make me equal, or 1compare me that I should be like him? 6 They draw gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith to make a god of it, and they bow down and worship it. 7 They bear it upon the shoulders: they carry him and set him in his place: so doth he stand, and cannot remove from his place. Though one cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor deliver him out of his tribulation. 8 Remember this, and be ashamed: bring it again to 1mind, O you transgressors. 9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none other God, and there is nothing like me,
1 Come down and sit in the dust: O 1virgin, daughter Babel, sit on the ground: there is no 2throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans; for thou shalt no more be called, Tender and delicate. 2 Take the millstones, and 1grind meal; loose thy locks: 2make bare the feet: uncover the leg, and pass through the floods. 3 Thy filthiness shall be discovered, and thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a 1man. 4 1Our redeemer, the Lord of hosts is his Name, the holy One of Israel. 5 1Sit still, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans; for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms. 6 I was wroth with my people: I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand, thou didst show them no 1mercy, but thou didst lay thy very heavy yoke upon the ancient. 7 And thou saidest, I shall be a lady forever, so that thou didst not set thy mind to these things, neither
45:24 1 Meaning, the faithful shall feel and confess this. 2 All the contemners of God. 46:1 1 These were the chief idols of Babylon. 2 Because they were of gold and silver, the Medes and Persians carried them away. 46:2 1 The beasts that carried the idols, fell down under their burden. 2 He derideth the idols, which had neither soul nor sense. 46:3 1 He showeth the difference between the idols and the true God: for they must be carried of others, but God himself carrieth his, as Deut. 32:11. 46:4 1 Seeing I have begotten you, I will nourish and preserve you forever. 46:5 1 The people of God, setting their own calamity, and the flour ishing estate of the Babylonians, should be tempted to think that their God was not so mighty as the idols of their enemies: there fore he describeth the original of all the idols to make them to be abhorred of all men: showing that the most that can be spoken in their commendation, is but to prove them vile. 46:8 1 Become wise, meaning, that all idolaters are without wit or sense, like mad men. 46:11 1 That is, Cyrus, which shall come as swift as a bride, and fight
against Babylon. 2 Him by whom I have appointed to execute that which I have determined. 46:12 1 Which by your incredulity would let the performance of my promise. 46:13 1 He showeth that man's incredulity cannot abolish the prom ise of God, Rom. 3:3. 47:1 1 Which hast lived in wealth and wantonness, and hast not yet been overcome by any enemy. 2 Thy government shall be taken from thee. 47:2 1 Thou shalt be brought to most vile servitude: for to turn the mill was the office of slaves. 2 The things wherein she setteth her greatest pride, shall be made vile, even from the head to the foot. 47:3 1 I will use no humanity nor pity toward thee. 47:4 1 The Israelites shall confess that the Lord doeth this for his Church's sake. 47:5 1 For very shame, and hide thyself. 47:6 1 They abused God's judgments, thinking that he punished the Israelites, because he would utterly cast them off, and therefore instead of pitying their misery, thou didst increase it.
Isaiah 47:8 724
didst thou remember the latter end thereof. 8 Therefore now hear, thou that art given to pleasures, and dwellest careless, She saith in her heart, I am and none else: I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall know the loss of children. 9 But these two things shall come to thee suddenly on one day, the loss of children and widowhood; they shall come upon thee in their 1perfection, for the multitude of thy divinations, and for the great abundance of thine enchanters. 10 For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness; thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy 1wisdom and thy knowledge, they have caused thee to rebel, and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else. 11 Therefore shall evil come upon thee, and thou shalt not know the morning thereof; destruction shall fall upon thee, which thou shalt not be able to put away: destruction shall come upon thee suddenly, or thou beware. 12 Stand now among thine enchanters, and in the multitude of thy soothsayers (with whom thou hast 1wearied thyself from thy youth) if so be thou mayest have profit, or if so be thou mayest have strength. 13 Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels: let now the astrologers, the stargazers, and prognosticators stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. 14 Behold, they shall be as stubble: the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver their own lives from the power of the flame: there shall be no coals 1to warm at, nor light to sit by. 15 Thus shall they serve thee, with whom thou hast wearied thee, even thy merchants from thy youth; every one shall wander to his own 1quarters: none shall save thee. 48 1 The hypocrisy of the Jews is reproved. 12 The Lord alone will be worshipped. 20 Of their deliver-
ance out of Babylon.
1 Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are 1called by the name of Israel, and are come out of 2the waters of Judah: which swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth nor in righteousness. 2 For they are called of the holy city, and stay themselves 1upon the God of Israel, whose Name is the Lord of hosts. 3 I have declared the former things of old, and they went out of my mouth, and I showed 1them: I did them suddenly and they came to pass. 4 Because I knew that 1thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass, 5 Therefore I have declared it to thee of old: before it came to pass, I showed 1it thee, lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my carved image, and my molten image hath commanded them. 6 Thou hast heard, behold all this, and will not ye 1declare it? I have showed thee new things, even now, and hid things, which thou knewest not. 7 They are created now, and not of old, and even before this thou heardest them not, lest thou shouldest say, Behold, I 1knew them. 8 Yet thou heardest them not, neither didst know them, neither yet was thine ear opened of old; for I knew that thou wouldest grievously transgress: therefore have I called thee a transgressor from the 1womb. 9 For my Name's sake will I defer my wrath, and for my praise, will I refrain it from thee, 1that I cut thee not off. 10 Behold, I have fined thee, but 1not as silver: I have 2chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. 11 For mine own sake, for mine own sake will I do it; for how should my Name 1be polluted? 2surely I will not give my glory unto another. 12 Hear me, O Jacob and Israel, my called, 1I am,
47:9 1 So that thy punishment shall be so great, as is possible to be imagined. 47:10 1 Thou didst think that thine own wisdom and policy would have saved thee. 47:12 1 He derideth their vain confidence, that put their trust in any thing but in God, condemning also such vain sciences, which serve to no use, but to delude the people, and to bring them from depend ing only on God. 47:14 1 They shall utterly perish, and no part of them remain. 47:15 1 They shall flee everyone to that place, which he thought by his speculations to be most sure: but that shall deceive them. 48:1 1 He detecteth their hypocrisy which vaunteth themselves to be Israelites, and were not so indeed. 2 Meaning, the fountain and stock. 48:2 1 They make a show, as though they would have none other God. 48:3 1 He showeth that they could not accuse him in anything, for asmuch as he had performed whatsoever he had promised. 48:4 1 I have done for thee more than I promised, that thy stubborn ness and impudence might have been overcome.
48:5 1 How thou shouldest be delivered out of Babylon. 48:6 1 Will ye not acknowledge this my benefit, and declare it unto others? 48:7 1 Showing that man's arrogance is the cause why God doth not declare all things at once, lest they should attribute this knowledge to their own wisdom. 48:8 1 From the time that I brought thee out of Egypt: for that deliv erance was as the birth of the Church. 48:9 1 As it was my free mercy that I did choose thee: so it is my free mercy that must save thee. 48:10 1 For I had respect to thy weakness and infirmity: for in silver there is some pureness, but in us there is nothing but dross. 2 I took thee out of the furnace where thou shouldest have been consumed. 48:11 1 God joineth the salvation of his with his own honor: so that they cannot perish, but his glory should be diminished, as Deut. 32:27. 2 Read Isa. 42:8. 48:12 1 Read Isa. 41:4.
725 Isaiah 49:8
I am the first, and I am the last. 13 Surely mine hand hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call them, 1they stand up together. 14 All you, assemble yourselves, and hear: which among them hath declared these things? The Lord hath loved 1him, he will do his will in Babel, and his arm shall be against the Chaldeans. 15 I, even I have spoken it, and I have called him, I have brought him, and his way shall prosper. 16 Come near unto me: hear ye this: I have not spoken it in secret from the 1beginning: from the time that the thing was, I was there, and now the Lord God and his Spirit hath 2sent me. 17 Thus saith the Lord thy redeemer, the Holy one of Israel, I am the Lord thy God, which teach thee 1to profit, and lead thee by the way that thou shouldest go. 18 Oh, that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy prosperity been as the flood, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. 19 Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the fruit of thy body like the gravel thereof: his 1name should not have been cut off nor destroyed before me. 20 1Go ye out of Babel: flee ye from the Chaldeans with a voice of joy: tell and declare this: show it forth to the end of the earth: say ye, The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob. 21 And they 1were not thirsty: he led them through the wilderness: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: for he clave the rock and the water gushed out. 22 There is no 1peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked. 49 1 The Lord God exhorteth all nations to believe his promises. 6 Christ is the salvation of all that believe,
and will deliver them from the tyranny of their enemies.
1 Hear ye me, O isles, and hearken, ye people from far. The Lord hath called 1me from 2the womb, and made mention of my name from my mother's belly. 2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp 1sword: under the shadow of his hand hath he 2hid me, and made me a chosen shaft, and hid me in his quiver, 3 And said unto me, Thou art my servant 1Israel, for I will be glorious in thee. 4 And I said, I have 1labored in vain: I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing; but my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. 5 And now saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, that I may bring Jacob again to him (though Israel be not gathered, 1yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord; and my God shall be my strength.) 6 And he said, It is a small thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the desolations of Israel: I will also give 1thee for a light of the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the world. 7 Thus saith the Lord the redeemer of Israel, and his holy One, to him that is despised in soul, to a nation that is abhorred, to a 1servant of rulers, Kings shall see, and 2arise, and princes shall worship, because of the Lord, that is faithful: and the holy One of Israel, which hath chosen thee. 8 Thus saith the Lord, 1In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and will give 2thee for a covenant of the people, that thou mayest raise up the 3earth, and obtain the inheritance of the desolate heritages:
48:13 1 To obey me, and to do whatsoever I command them. 48:14 1 Meaning, Cyrus, whom he had chosen to destroy Babylon. 48:16 1 Since the time that I declared myself to your fathers. 2 Thus the Prophet speaketh for himself, and to assure them of these things. 48:17 1 What things shall do thee good. 48:19 1 That is, the prosperous estate of Israel. 48:20 1 After that he had forewarned them of their captivity, and of the cause thereof, he showeth them the great joy that shall come of their deliverance. 48:21 1 He showeth that it shall be as easy to deliver them, as he did their fathers out of Egypt. 48:22 1 Thus he speaketh that the wicked hypocrites should not abuse God's promise, in whom was neither faith nor repentance, as Isa. 57:21. 49:1 1 This is spoken in the person of Christ, to assure the faithful that these promises should come to pass: for they were all made in him, and in him should be performed. 2 This is meant of the time that Christ should be manifested to the world, as Ps. 2:7. 49:2 1 By the sword and shaft, he signifieth the virtue and efficacy
of Christ's doctrine. 2 God hath taken me to his protection and defense: this chiefly is meant of Christ, and may also be applied to the ministers of his word. 49:3 1 By Israel is meant Christ, and all the body of the faithful, as the members, and their head. 49:4 1 Thus Christ in his members complaineth, that his labor and preaching take none effect, yet he is contented that his doings are approved of God. 49:5 1 Though the Jews refuse my doctrine, yet God will approve my ministry. 49:6 1 To declare my Gospel, to the Gentiles, Isa. 42:6; Acts 13:47; Luke 2:32. 49:7 1 Meaning, the Jews, whom tyrants kept in bondage. 2 The benefit of their deliverance shall be so great, that great and small shall acknowledge it, and reverence God for it. 49:8 1 Thus he speaketh of his Church when he would show his mercy toward it, 2 Cor. 6:2. 2 Meaning, Christ alone. 3 Signifying, that before Christ renew the earth by his word, there is nothing but confusion and disorder.
Isaiah 49:9 726
in thine ears, The place is strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell. 21 Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I am barren and desolate, a captive and a wanderer to and fro? and who hath nourished them? behold, I was left alone: whence are these? 22 Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the 1Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people, and they shall bring thy sons in their arms: and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. 23 And Kings 1shall be thy nursing fathers, and Queens shall be thy nurses: they shall worship thee with their faces toward the earth, and lick up the 2dust of thy feet: and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. 24 Shall the prey be 1taken from the mighty? or the just captivity delivered? 25 But thus saith the Lord, 1Even the captivity of the mighty shall be taken away: and the prey of the tyrant shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children, 26 And will feed them that spoil thee, with 1their own flesh, and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine; and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob. 50 1 The Jews forsaken for a time. 2 Yet the power of God is not diminished. 5 Christ's obedience and victory.
9 That thou mayest say to the 1prisoners, Go forth; and to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves; they shall feed in the ways, and their 2pastures shall be in all the tops of the hills. 10 They shall not be hungry, neither shall they be thirsty, neither shall the heat smite them, nor the sun, for he that hath compassion 1on them, shall lead them; even to the springs of water shall he drive them. 11 And I will make all my mountains, as a way, and my paths shall be exalted. 12 Behold, these shall come from far: and lo, these from the North and from the West, and these from the land of 1Sinim. 13 Rejoice, O 1heavens; and be joyful, O earth; burst forth into praise, O mountains; for God hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. 14 But Zion said, The Lord hath 1forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. 15 Can a woman forget her child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? though they should forget, yet will I not forget thee. 16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palm of mine 1hands: thy 2walls are ever in my sight. 17 Thy builders make 1haste: thy destroyers and they that made thee waste, are departed from thee. 18 Lift up thine eyes round about and behold: all these gather themselves together and come to thee: as I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely 1put them all upon thee as a garment, and gird thyself with them like a bride. 19 For thy desolations, and thy waste places, and thy land destroyed, shall surely be now narrow for them that shall dwell in it, and they that dwell devour thee, shall be far away. 20 The children of thy barrenness shall say again
1 Thus saith the Lord, Where is that 1bill of your mother's divorcement, 2whom I have cast off? or who is the creditor 3to whom I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities are ye sold, and because of your transgressions is your mother forsaken.
49:9 1 To them that are in the prison of sin and death. 2 Being in Christ's protection, they shall be safe against all dangers, and free from the fear of the enemies. 49:10 1 Meaning, that there should be nothing in their way from Babylon that should hinder or hurt them: but this is accomplished spiritually. 49:12 1 Meaning, the South country, so that Christ shall deliver his from all the parts of the world. 49:13 1 Read Isa. 44:23. 49:14 1 He objecteth what the faithful might say in their long afflic tion, and answereth thereunto to comfort them, with a most proper similitude, and full of consolation. 49:16 1 Because I would not forget thee. 2 Meaning, the good order of policy, and discipline. 49:17 1 I have continual care to build thee up again, and to destroy thine enemies. 49:18 1 He showeth what are the ornaments of the Church: to have many children, which are assembled by the word of God, and gov erned by his Spirit.
49:22 1 He showeth that Christ will not only gather this great num ber of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles. 49:23 1 Meaning, that Kings shall be converted to the Gospel, and bestow their power and authority for the preservation of the Church. 2 Being joined with the Church, they shall humble themselves to Christ their head, and give him all honor. 49:24 1 He maketh this as an objection, as though the Chaldeans were strong, and had them in just possession. 49:25 1 This is the answer to their objection, that none is stronger than the Lord, neither hath a more just title unto them. 49:26 1 I will cause them to destroy one another, as Judg. 7:22; 2 Chron. 20:22; Isa. 19:2. 50:1 1 Meaning, that he hath not forsaken her, but through her own occasion, as Hos. 2:2. 2 Which should declare that I have cut her off: meaning, that they could show none. 3 Signifying, that he sold them not for any debt or poverty, but that they sold themselves to sins to buy their own lusts and pleasures.
727 Isaiah 51:10
2 1Wherefore came I, and there was no man? I called, and none answered: is mine hand so 2shortened, that it cannot help? or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea: I make the floods desert; their fish rotteth for want of water, and dieth for thirst. 3 I clothe the heavens with darkness, and make a 1sack their covering. 4 The Lord God hath given 1me a tongue of the learned, that I should know to minister a word in time to him that is 2weary; he will raise me up in the morning, in the morning he will waken mine ear to hear, 3as the learned. 5 The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned I back. 6 I gave my back unto the 1smiters, and my cheeks to the nippers: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 7 For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. 8 He is near that justifieth me: who will contend with me? Let us stand together? who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. 9 Behold, the Lord God will help me: who is he that can condemn me? lo, they shall wax old as a garment: the moth shall eat them up. 10 1Who is among you that feareth the Lord? let him hear the voice of his servant: he that walketh in darkness and hath no light, let him trust in the Name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. 11 Behold, all you kindle 1a fire, and are compassed about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand: ye shall lie down in sorrow. 51 1 To trust in God alone by Abraham's example. 7 Not to fear men. 17 The great affliction of Jerusalem, 22 and her deliverance.
1 Hear me 1ye that follow after righteousness, and ye that seek the Lord: look unto the 2rock, whence you are hewn, and to the hole of the pit, whence ye are dug. 2 Consider Abraham your father, and Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him. 3 Surely the Lord shall comfort Zion: he shall comfort all her desolations, and he shall make her desert 1like Eden, and her wilderness like the garden of the Lord: joy and gladness shall be found therein: praise, and the voice of singing. 4 Hearken ye unto me my people, and give ear unto me, O my people: for a 1Law shall proceed from me, and I will bring forth my judgment for the light of the people. 5 My 1righteousness is near: my salvation goeth forth, and mine 2arm shall judge the people: the isles shall wait for me, and shall trust unto mine arm. 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the 1heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein, shall perish in like manner: but my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. 7 Hearken unto me ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my Law. Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their rebukes. 8 For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wood: but my righteousness shall be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation. 9 Rise up, Rise up, and put on strength, O arm of the Lord: rise up as 1in the old time in the generations of the world. Art not thou the same, that hath cut 2Rahab, and wounded the 3dragon? 10 Art not thou the same, which hath dried the Sea, even the waters of the great deep, making the
50:2 1 He came by his Prophets and ministers, but they would not believe their doctrine and convert. 2 Am I not able to help you, as I have helped your fathers of old, when I dried up the red Sea, and killed the fish in the rivers, and also afterward in Jordan? 50:3 1 As I did in Egypt in token of my displeasure, Exod. 10:21. 50:4 1 The Prophet doth represent here the person and charge of them that are justly called to the ministry of God's word. 2 To him that is oppressed by affliction and misery. 3 As they that are taught, and made meet by him. 50:6 1 I did not shrink from God for any persecution or calamity. Whereby he showeth that the true ministers of God can look for none other recompense of the wicked, but after this sort, and also what is their comfort. 50:10 1 Showing that it is a rare thing that any should obey aright God's true ministers, though they labor to bring them from hell to heaven. 50:11 1 You have sought consolation by your own devices, and have
refused the light, and consolation which God hath offered: therefore ye shall remain in sorrow, and not be comforted. 51:1 1 He comforteth the Church, that they should not be discour aged for their small number. 2 That is, to Abraham, of whom ye were begotten, and to Sarah, of whom we were born. 51:3 1 As plentiful as Paradise, Gen. 2:8. 51:4 1 I will rule and govern my Church by my word and doctrine. 51:5 1 The time that I will accomplish my promise. 2 My power and strength. 51:6 1 He forewarneth them of the horrible changes and mutations of all things, and how he will preserve his church in the midst of all these dangers. 51:9 1 He putteth them in remembrance of his great benefit for their deliverance out of Egypt, that thereby they might learn to trust in him constantly. 2 Meaning, Egypt, Ps. 87:4. 3 To wit, Pharaoh, Ezek. 29:3.
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21 Therefore hear now this, thou miserable and drunken, but 1not with wine. 22 Thus saith thy Lord God, even God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my wrath: thou shalt drink it no more. 23 But I will put it into their hand that spoil thee, which have said to thy soul, Bow down that we may go over, and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the streets to them that went over. 52 1 A consolation to the people of God. 7 Of the messengers thereof.
depth of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? 11 Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall 1return, and come with joy unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain joy and gladness: and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. 12 I, even I am he that comfort you. Who art thou that thou shouldest fear a mortal man, and the son of man, which shall be made as grass? 13 And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath spread out the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth? and hast feared continually all the day, because of the rage of the oppressor, which is ready to destroy? Where is now the rage of the oppressor? 14 The captive 1hasteneth to be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail. 15 And I am the Lord thy God that divided the sea, when his waves roared: the Lord of hosts is his Name. 16 And I have put my words in thy 1mouth, and have defended thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the 2heavens, and lay the foundation of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people. 17 Awake, awake, and stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the 1cup of his wrath: thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out. 18 There is none to guide her among all her sons, whom she hath brought forth: there is none that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up. 19 These two 1things are come unto thee: who will lament thee? desolation and destruction and famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee? 20 Thy sons have fainted, and lie at the head of all the streets as a wild bull in a net, and are full of the wrath of the Lord, and rebuke of thy God.
1 Arise, arise: put on thy strength, O Zion: put on the garments of thy beauty, O Jerusalem, the holy City: for henceforth there shall no 1more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. 2 Shake thyself from the 1dust, arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose the bands of thy neck, O thou captive daughter Zion. 3 For thus saith the Lord, Ye were sold for 1naught; therefore shall ye be redeemed without money. 4 For thus saith the Lord God, My people went 1down afore time into Egypt to sojourn there, and Assyria 2oppressed them without cause. 5 Now therefore what have I here, saith the Lord, that my people is taken away for naught, and they that rule over them, make them to howl, saith the Lord? and my Name all the day continually is 1blasphemed? 6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day, that I am he that do speak: behold, it is I. 7 How 1beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him, that declareth and publisheth peace! that declareth good tidings, and publisheth salvation, saying unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! 8 1The voice of thy watchmen shall be heard: they shall lift up their voice, and shout together: for they
51:11 1 From Babylon. 51:14 1 He comforteth them by the short time of their banishment: for in seventy years they were restored, and the greatest empire of the world destroyed. 51:16 1 Meaning, of Isaiah, and of all true ministers, who are defended by his protection. 2 That all things may be restored in heaven and earth, Eph. 1:10. 51:17 1 Thou hast been justly punished and sufficiently as Isa. 40:2, and this punishment in the elect is by measure, and according as God giveth grace to bear it: but in the reprobate it is the just ven geance of God to drive them to an insensibleness and madness, as Jer. 25:15, 16. 51:19 1 Whereof the one is outward, as of the things that come to the body, as war, and famine, and the other is inward, and apper taineth to the mind: that is, to be without comfort: therefore he saith, How shalt thou be comforted? 51:21 1 But with trouble and fear. 52:1 1 No wicked tyrant, which shall subvert God's true religion, and
oppress the conscience. 52:2 1 Put off the garments of sorrow and heaviness, and put on the apparel of joy and gladness. 52:3 1 The Babylonians paid nothing to me for you: therefore I will take you again without ransom. 52:4 1 When Jacob went thither in time of famine. 2 The Egyptians might pretend some cause to oppress my people because they went thither, and remained among them, but the Assyrians have no title to excuse their tyranny by, and therefore will I punish them more than I did the Egyptians. 52:5 1 To wit, by the wicked, which think that I have no power to deliver them. 52:7 1 Signifying, that the joy and good tidings of their deliverance should make their affliction in the mean time more easy: but this is chiefly meant of the spiritual joy, as Nah. 1:15; Rom. 10:15. 52:8 1 The Prophets which are thy watchmen shall publish this thy deliverance: this was begun under Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, but was accomplished under Christ.
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shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. 9 O ye desolate places of Jerusalem, be glad and rejoice together, for the Lord hath comforted his people: he hath redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The Lord hath made 1bare his holy arm in the sight of all the Gentiles, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. 11 1Depart, depart ye: go ye out from thence, and touch no unclean thing, go out of the midst of her, be ye clean, that 2bear the vessels of the Lord. 12 For ye shall not go out 1with haste, nor depart by fleeing away: but the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will gather you together. 13 Behold, my 1servant shall prosper: he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. 14 As many were astonied at thee (his visage was so 1deformed of men, and his form of the sons of men) so 2shall he sprinkle many nations: the Kings shall shut their 3mouths at him: for that which had not been told them, shall they see, and that which they had not heard shall they 4understand. 53 1 Of Christ and his kingdom, whose word few will believe. 6 All men are sinners. 11 Christ is our righteousness, 12 and is dead for our sins.
hid as it were our faces from him: he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely, he hath born our infirmities, and carried 1our sorrows, yet we did judge him as 2plagued and smitten of God, and humbled. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions: he was broken for our iniquities: the 1chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes are we healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid upon him the 1iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet did he not 1open his mouth: he is brought as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. 8 He was taken out from 1prison, and from judgment: 2and who shall declare his age? for he was cut out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he plagued. 9 1And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no wickedness, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet the Lord would break him and make him subject to infirmities: when 1he shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed and shall prolong his days, and the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the 1travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied; by his knowledge shall my 2righteous servant justify many: for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I give him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because 1he hath poured out his soul unto death; and
1 Who 1will believe our report? and to whom is the 2arm of the Lord revealed? 2 But he shall grow up before him as a branch, and as a 1root out of a dry 2ground; he hath neither form nor beauty: when we shall see him, there shall be no form that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men: he is a man full of sorrows, and hath experience of 1infirmities: we
52:10 1 As ready to smite his enemies, and to deliver his people. 52:11 1 He warneth the faithful not to pollute themselves with the superstitions of the Babylonians, as Isa. 48:20; 2 Cor. 6:17. 2 For the time is at hand that the Priests and Levites chiefly (and so by them all the people, which shall be as the Levites in this office) shall carry home vessels of the Temple which Nebuchadnezzar had taken away. 52:12 1 As your fathers did out of Egypt. 52:13 1 Meaning, Christ, by whom our spiritual deliverance should be wrought, whereof this was a figure. 52:14 1 In the corrupt judgment of man, Christ in his person was not esteemed. 2 He shall spread his word through many nations. 3 In sign of reverence, and as being astonished at his excellency. 4 By the preaching of the Gospel. 53:1 1 The Prophet showeth that very few shall receive this their preach ing of Christ, and of their deliverance by him, John 12:38; Rom. 10:16. 2 Meaning, that none can believe, but whose hearts God toucheth with the virtue of his holy Spirit. 53:2 1 The beginning of Christ's kingdom shall be small and con temptible in the sight of man, but it shall grow wonderfully, and flourish before God. 2 Read Isa. 11:1.
53:3 1 Which was by God's singular providence for the comfort of sinners, Heb. 4:15. 53:4 1 That is, the punishment due to our sins: for the which he hath both suffered and made satisfaction, Matt. 8:17; 1 Pet. 2:24. 2 We judgeth evil, thinking that he was punished for his own sins, and not for ours. 53:5 1 He was chastised for our reconciliation, 1 Cor. 15:3. 53:6 1 Meaning, the punishment of our iniquity, and not the fault itself. 53:7 1 But willingly and patiently obeyed his father's appointment, Matt. 26:63; Acts 8:32. 53:8 1 From the cross and grave, after that he was condemned. 2 Though he died for sin, yet after his resurrection he shall live for ever and this his death is to restore life to his members, Rom. 6:9. 53:9 1 God the Father delivered him into the hands of the wicked, and to the powers of the world to do with him what they would. 53:10 1 Christ by offering up himself shall give life to his Church, and so cause them to live with him forever. 53:11 1 That is, the fruit and effect of his labor, which is the salvation of his Church. 2 Christ shall justify by faith through his word, whereas Moses could not justify by the law. 53:12 1 Because he humbled himself, therefore he shall be extolled to glory, Phil. 2:7-12.
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10 For the mountains shall remove, and the hills shall fall down; but my mercy shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace fall away, saith the Lord, that hath compassion on thee. 11 O thou afflicted and tossed with tempest, that hast no comfort, behold, I will lay thy stones with the 1carbuncle, and lay thy foundation with sapphires, 12 And I will make thy windows of 1emeralds, and thy gates shining stones, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. 13 And all thy children shall be 1taught of the Lord, and much peace shall be to thy children. 14 In 1righteousness shalt thou be established, and be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear it: and from fear; for it shall not come near thee. 15 Behold, the enemies shall gather himself, but without 1me: whosoever shall gather himself in thee, 2against thee, shall fall. 16 Behold, I have created the 1smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and him that bringeth forth an instrument for his work, and I have created the destroyer to destroy. 17 But all the weapons that are made against thee, shall not prosper: and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment, thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the Lord's servants, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. 55 1 An exhortation to come to Christ. 8 God's counsels are not as man's. 12 The joy of the faithful.
he was counted with the transgressors, and he bare the sin 2of many, and prayed for the trespassers. 54 1 More of the Gentiles shall believe the Gospel than of the Jews. 7 God leaveth his for a time, to whom afterward he showeth mercy.
1 Rejoice, O 1barren that didst not bear: break forth into joy and rejoice, thou that didst not travail with child; for the 2desolate hath more children than the married wife, saith the Lord. 2 1Enlarge the place of thy tents, and let them spread out the curtains of thine habitations: spare not: stretch out thy cords, and make fast thy stakes. 3 For thou shalt increase on the right hand and on the left, and thy seed shall possess the Gentiles, and dwell in the desolate cities. 4 Fear not: for thou shalt not be ashamed, neither shalt thou be confounded: for thou shalt not be put to shame: yea, thou shalt forget the shame of thy 1youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy 2widowhood anymore. 5 For he that 1made thee, is thine husband, (whose name is the Lord of hosts) and thy redeemer the holy One of Israel, shall be called the God of the whole 2world. 6 For the Lord hath called thee, being as a woman forsaken, and afflicted in spirit, and as a 1young wife when thou wast refused, saith thy God. 7 For a little while have I forsaken thee, but with great compassion will I gather thee. 8 For a moment in mine anger, I hid my face from thee for a little season, but with everlasting mercy have I had compassion on thee, saith the Lord thy redeemer. 9 For this is unto me as the 1waters of Noah; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be angry with thee, nor rebuke thee.
1 Ho, everyone that 1thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and ye that have 2no silver, come, buy and eat: come, I say, buy 3wine and milk without silver and without money. 2 Wherefore do ye lay out silver, and not for bread? 1and your labor without being satisfied? hearken diligently unto me, and eat that which is
53:12 2 That is, of all that believe in him. 54:1 1 After that he hath declared the death of Christ, he speaketh to the Church, because it should feel the fruit of the same, and calleth her barren, because that in the captivity she was a widow without hope to have any children. 2 The Church in this her affliction and captivity shall bring forth more children, than when she was at liberty: or this may be spoken by admira tion, considering the great number that should come of her. Her deliver ance under Cyrus was as her childhood, and therefore this was accom plished, when she came to her age, which was under the Gospel. 54:2 1 Signifying, that for the great number of children that God should give her, she should seem to lack room to lodge them. 54:4 1 The afflictions which thou suffered at the beginning. 2 When as thou wast refused for thy sins, Isa. 50:1. 54:5 1 That did regenerate thee by his holy Spirit. 2 His glory shall shine through the whole World, which seemed before to be shut up in Judea. 54:6 1 As a wife which wast forsaken in thy youth. 54:9 1 As sure as the promise that I made to Noah, that the waters should no more overflow the earth.
54:11 1 Hereby he declareth the excellent estate of the Church under Christ. 54:12 1 Or, jasper, or pearl. 54:13 1 By the hearing of his word and inward moving of his Spirit. 54:14 1 In stability and sureness, so that it shall stand forever. 54:15 1 And therefore shall not prevail. 2 Meaning, the domestical enemies of the Church, as are the hypocrites. 54:16 1 Signifying hereby, that man can do nothing, but so far as God giveth power: for seeing that all are his creatures, he must needs govern and guide them. 55:1 1 Christ by proposing his graces and gifts to his Church, exempt eth the hypocrites which are full with their imagined works, and the Epicureans, which are full with their worldly lusts, and so thirst not after these waters. 2 Signifying, that God's benefits cannot be bought for money. 3 By waters, wine, milk and bread, he meaneth all things necessary to the spiritual life, as these are necessary to this corporal life. 55:2 1 He reproveth their ingratitude, which refuse those things that God offereth willingly, and in the meantime spare neither cost nor labor to obtain those which are nothing profitable.
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not be taken away. 56 1 An exhortation to judgment and justice. 10 Against shepherds that devour their flock.
good, and let your soul delight in 2fatness. 3 Incline your ears, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the 1sure mercies of David. 4 Behold, I gave 1him for a witness to the people, for a prince and a master unto the people. 5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, 1and a nation that knew not thee, shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and the Holy one of Israel: for he hath glorified thee. 6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be 1found: call ye upon him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked 1forsake his ways, and the unrighteous his own imaginations, and return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he is very ready to forgive. 8 For my 1thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts. 10 Surely as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither but watereth the earth, and maketh it to bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread unto him that eateth, 11 So shall my 1word be, that goeth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I will, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12 Therefore ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace; the 1mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into joy, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 For thorns there shall grow fir trees; for nettles shall grow the myrrh tree, and it shall be to the Lord 1for a name, and for an everlasting 2sign that shall
1 Thus saith the Lord, 1Keep judgment and do justice, for my salvation is at hand to come, and my 2righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man which layeth hold on it; he that keepeth the 1Sabbath, and polluteth it not, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. 3 And let not the son of the strangers, which 1is joined to the Lord, speak and say, The Lord hath surely separated me from his people; neither let the Eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 4 For thus saith the Lord unto the Eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the thing that pleaseth me, and take hold of my covenant, 5 Even unto them will I give in mine 1House and within my walls, a place, and a 2name better than of the sons and of the daughters; I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be put out. 6 Also the strangers that cleave unto the Lord, to serve him, and to love the Name of the Lord, and to be his servants; everyone that keepeth the Sabbath, and polluteth it not, and embraceth my covenant, 7 Them will I bring also to mine holy mountain, and make them joyful in mine House of prayer; their burnt 1offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar: for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for 2all people. 8 The Lord God saith, which gathereth the scattered of Israel, Yet will I gather to them those that are to be gathered to them. 9 All ye 1beasts of the field, come to devour, even all ye beasts of the forest.
2 You shall be fed abundantly. 55:3 1 The same covenant which through my mercy I ratified and confirmed to David, that it should be eternal, 2 Sam. 7:13; Acts 13:34. 55:4 1 Meaning Christ, of whom David was a figure. 55:5 1 To wit, the Gentiles, which before thou didst not receive to be thy people. 55:6 1 When he offereth himself by the preaching of his word. 55:7 1 Hereby he showeth that repentance must be joined with faith, and how we cannot call upon God aright, except the fruits of our faith appear. 55:8 1 Although you are not soon reconciled one to another and judge me by yourselves, yet I am most easy to be reconciled, yea, I offer my mercies to you. 55:11 1 If these small things have their effect, as daily experience showeth, much more shall my promise which I have made and confirmed, bring to pass the things which I have spoken for your deliverance. 55:12 1 Read Isa. 44:23 and 49:13. 55:13 1 To set forth his glory. 2 Of God's deliverance, and that he will never forsake his Church. 56:1 1 God showeth what he requireth of them after that he hath
delivered them: to wit, the works of charity whereby true faith is declared. 2 Which I will declare toward you, and pour into your hearts by my Spirit. 56:2 1 Under the Sabbath he comprehendeth the whole service of God and true religion. 56:3 1 Let none think himself unmeet to receive the graces of the Lord: for the Lord will take away all impediments, and will forsake none which will keep his true religion, and believe in him. 56:5 1 Meaning, in his Church. 2 They shall be called after my people, and be of the same religion: yea, under Christ the dignity of the faithful shall be greater than the Jews were at that time. 56:7 1 Hereby he meaneth the spiritual service of God, to whom the faithful offer continual thanksgiving, yea themselves and all that they have, as a lively and acceptable sacrifice. 2 Not only for the Jews, but for all others, Matt. 21:13. 56:9 1 Meaning, the enemies of the Church, as the Babylonians, Assyr ians, etc., thus he speaketh to fear the hypocrites and to assure the faith ful that when this cometh, they may know it was told them before.
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10 Their 1watchmen are all blind: they have no knowledge: they are all dumb dogs: they cannot bark: they lie and sleep, and delight in sleeping. 11 And these greedy dogs can never have enough: and these shepherds cannot understand: for they all look to their own way, everyone for his advantage, and for his own purpose. 12 Come, I will bring wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink, and 1tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant. 57 1 God taketh away the good, that he should not see the horrible plagues to come. 3 Of the wicked idolaters, 9 and their vain confidence.
8 Behind the 1doors also and posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another, than me, and wentest up, and didst 2enlarge thy bed, and make a covenant between thee and them, and lovedst their bed in every place where thou sawest it. 9 Thou wentest 1to the kings with oil, and didst increase thine ointments, and send thy messengers far off, and didst humble thyself unto hell. 10 Thou weariedst thyself in thy manifold journeys, yet saidest thou not, 1There is no hope: thou 2hast found life by thine hand, therefore thou wast not grieved. 11 And whom didst thou reverence or fear, seeing thou hast 1lied unto me, and hast not remembered me, neither set thy mind thereon? is it not because I hold my peace, and that of long 2time? therefore thou fearest not me. 12 I will declare thy righteousness 1and thy works, and they shall not profit thee. 13 When thou cryest, let them that thou hast gathered together, deliver thee: but the wind 1shall take them all away: vanity shall pull them away: but he that trusteth in me shall inherit the land, and shall possess mine holy Mountain. 14 1And he shall say, Cast up, cast up: prepare the way: take up the stumbling blocks out of the way of my people. 15 For thus saith he that is high and excellent, he that inhabiteth the eternity, whose Name is the Holy one, I dwell in the high and holy place: with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble, and to give life to them that are of a contrite heart. 16 For I will not contend forever: neither will I be
1 The righteous perisheth, and no man considereth it in heart, and merciful men are taken away, and no man understandeth that the righteous is taken away 1from the evil to come. 2 1Peace shall come: they shall rest in their beds, everyone that walketh before him. 3 But you 1witches' children, come hither, the seed of the adulterer and of the whore. 4 On whom have ye jested? upon whom have ye gaped and thrust out your tongue? are not ye rebellious children, and a false seed? 5 Inflamed with idols under every green tree? and sacrificing the 1children in the valleys under the tops of the rocks? 6 Thy portion is in the smooth stones 1of the river: they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering: thou hast offered a sacrifice. Should I delight in 2these? 7 Thou hast made thy 1bed upon a very high mountain: thou wentest up thither, even thither wentest thou to offer sacrifice.
56:10 1 He showeth that this affliction shall come through the fault of the governors, prophets, and pastors, whose ignorance, negli gence, avarice and obstinacy provoked God's wrath against them. 56:12 1 We are well yet, and tomorrow shall be better: therefore let us not fear the plagues before they come: thus the wicked con temned the admonitions and exhortations which were made them in the Name of God. 57:1 1 From the plague that is at hand, and also because God will punish the wicked. 57:2 1 The soul of the righteous shall be in joy, and their body shall rest in the grave unto the time of the resurrection, because they walked before the Lord. 57:3 1 He threateneth the wicked hypocrites, who under the pre tence of the name of God's people, derided God's word and his promises: boasting openly that they were the children of Abraham, but because they were not faithful and obedient as Abraham was, he calleth them bastards, and the children of sorcerers, which forsook God, and fled to wicked means for succor. 57:5 1 Read Lev. 18:21; 2 Kings 23:10. 57:6 1 Meaning, every place was polluted with their idolatry: or every fair stone that they found, they made an idol of it. 2 In the sacrifices which you offering before these idols, thought
you did serve God. 57:7 1 To wit, thine altars in an open place, like an impudent harlot, that careth not for the sight of her husband. 57:8 1 Instead of setting up the word of God in the open places on the posts and doors to have it in remembrance, Deut. 6:9 and 27:1, thou hast set up signs and marks of thine idolatry in every place. 2 That is, didst increase thine idolatry more and more. 57:9 1 Thou didst seek the favor of the Assyrians by gifts and presents to help thee against the Egyptians: and when they failed thou sought est to the Babylonians, and more and more didst torment thyself. 57:10 1 Although thou sawest all thy labors to be in vain, yet would est thou never acknowledge thy fault, and leave off. 2 He derideth their unprofitable diligence, which thought to have made all sure, and yet were deceived. 57:11 1 Broken promise with me. 2 Meaning, that the wicked abuse God's lenity, and grow to further wickedness. 57:12 1 That is, thy naughtiness, idolatries, and impieties which the wicked call God's service: thus he derideth their obstinacy. 57:13 1 Meaning, the Assyrians and others, whose help they looked for. 57:14 1 God shall say to Darius and Cyrus.
733 Isaiah 58:14
always wroth, 1for the spirit should fail before me: and I have made the breath. 17 For his 1wicked covetousness I am angry with him, and have smitten him: I hid me, and was angry, yet he went away, and turned after the way of his own heart. 18 I have seen his ways, and will 1heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comfort unto him, and to those that lament him. 19 I create the 1fruit of the lips, to be peace: peace unto them that are 2far off, and to them that are near, saith the Lord: for I will heal him. 20 But the wicked are like the raging sea, that 1cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. 58 1 The office of God's ministers. 2 The works of the hypocrites. 6 The fast of the faithful. 13 Of the true Sabbath.
6 Is not this the fasting that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to take off the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every 1yoke? 7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that wander, unto thine house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him, and hide not thyself from 1thine own flesh? 8 Then shall thy 1light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall grow speedily: thy 2righteousness shall go before thee, and the glory of the Lord shall embrace thee. 9 Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer: thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am: if thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the 1finger, and wicked speaking: 10 If thou 1pour out thy soul to the hungry, and refresh the troubled soul: then shall thy light spring out in the 2darkness, and thy darkness shall be as the noon day. 11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. 12 And they shall be of thee, that shall build the old 1waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations for many generations, and thou shalt be called the repairer of the breach, and the restorer of the paths to dwell in. 13 If thou 1turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy will on mine Holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight to consecrate it, as glorious to the Lord, and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor seeking thine own will, nor speaking a vain word, 14 Then shalt thou delight in the Lord, and I will cause thee to mount upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
1 Cry 1aloud, spare not: lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet they 1seek me daily, and will know my ways, even as a nation that did righteously, and had not forsaken the statutes of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice: they will draw near unto God, saying, 3 1Wherefore have we fasted, and thou seest it not? we have punished ourselves, and thou regardest it not. Behold, in the day of your fast you will seek 2your will, and require all your debts. 4 Behold, ye fast to strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do today, to make your voice to be 1heard above. 5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen, that a man should afflict his soul for a day, and to bow down his head, as a bull rush, and to lie down in sackcloth and ashes? wilt thou call this a fasting, or an acceptable day to the Lord?
57:16 1 I will not use my power against frail man, whose life is but a blast. 57:17 1 That is, for the vices and faults of the people, which is meant here by covetousness. 57:18 1 Though they were obstinate, yet I did not withdraw my mercy from them. 57:19 1 That is, I frame the speech and words of my messengers which shall bring peace. 2 As well to him that is in captivity as to him that remaineth at home. 57:20 1 Their evil conscience doth ever torment them, and therefore they can never have rest, read Isa. 48:22. 58:1 1 The Lord thus speaketh to the Prophet, willing him to use all diligence and severity to rebuke the hypocrites. 58:2 1 They will seem to worship me and have outward holiness. 58:3 1 He setteth forth the malice and disdain of the hypocrites, which grudge against God, if their works be not accepted.
2 Thus he convinceth the hypocrites by the second table, and by their duty toward their neighbor, that they have neither faith nor religion. 58:4 1 So long as you use contention and oppression, your fasting and prayers shall not be heard. 58:6 1 That you leave off all your extortions. 58:7 1 For in him thou seest thyself as in a glass. 58:8 1 That is, the prosperous estate wherewith God will bless thee. 2 The Testimony of thy goodness shall appear before God and man. 58:9 1 Whereby is meant all manner of injury. 58:10 1 That is, have compassion on their miseries. 2 Thine adversity shall be turned into prosperity. 58:12 1 Signifying, that of the Jews should come such as should build again the ruins of Jerusalem and Judea: but chiefly this is meant of the spiritual Jerusalem, whose builders were the Apostles. 58:13 1 If thou refrain thyself from thy wicked works.
Isaiah 59:1 734 59 1 The wicked perish through their own iniquities. 12 The confession of sins. 16 God alone will preserve his Church though all men fail.
11 We roar all like 1bears, and mourn like doves: we look for equity, but there is none: for health, but it is far from us. 12 For our trespasses are many before thee, and our 1sins testify against us: for our trespasses are with us, and we know our iniquities 13 In trespassing and lying against the Lord, and we have departed away from our God, and have spoken of cruelty and rebellion, conceiving and uttering out of the heart 1false matters. 14 Therefore 1judgment is turned backward, and justice standeth far off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. 15 Yea, truth faileth, and he that refraineth from evil, maketh himself 1a prey: and when the Lord saw it, it displeased him, that there was no judgment. 16 And when he saw that there was no man, he wondered that none would offer himself. 1Therefore his arm did 2save it, and his righteousness itself did sustain it. 17 For he put on righteousness, as an habergeon, and an 1helmet of salvation upon his head, and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. 18 As to make recompense, as to requite the fury of the adversaries with a recompense to his enemies: he will fully repair the 1islands. 19 So shall they fear the Name of the Lord from the West, and his glory from the rising of the Sun; for the enemy shall 1come like a flood; but the Spirit of the Lord shall chase him away. 20 And the Redeemer shall come unto Zion, and unto 1them that turn from iniquity in Jacob, saith the Lord. 21 And I will make this my Covenant with them, saith the Lord, My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words, which I have put in thy mouth, 1shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of the seed of thy seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth even forever.
chapter 59
a Num. 11:23
Isa. 50:2
b Jer. 5:25
1 Behold, athe Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save: neither is his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. 2 But byour iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with 1blood, and your fingers with iniquity: your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue hath murmured iniquity. 4 No man calleth for justice: no man 1contendeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak vain things: they conceive mischief, and 2bring forth iniquity. 5 They hatch cockatrice 1eggs, and weave the spider's 2web: he that eateth of their eggs, died, and that which is trode upon, breaketh out into a serpent. 6 Their webs shall be no garment, neither shall they cover themselves with their labors: for their works are works of iniquities, and the work of cruelty is in their hands. 7 Their feet turn to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are wicked thoughts: desolation and destruction is in their paths. 8 The way of peace they know not, and there is none equity in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein, shall not know peace. 9 Therefore is 1judgment far from us, neither doth 2justice come near unto us: we wait for light, but lo, it is darkness: for brightness, but we walk in darkness. 10 We grope for the wall like the 1blind, and we grope as one without eyes: we stumble at the noon day as in the twilight: we are in solitary places, as dead men.
59:3 1 Read Isa. 1:15. 59:4 1 All men wink at the injuries and oppressions, and none go about to remedy them. 2 According to their wicked devices, they hurt their neighbors. 59:5 1 Whatsoever cometh from them is poison, and bringeth death. 2 They are profitable to no purpose. 59:9 1 That is, God's vengeance to punish our enemies. 2 God's protection to defend us. 59:10 1 We are altogether destitute of counsel, and can find no end of our miseries. 59:11 1 We express our sorrows by outward signs, some more, some less. 59:12 1 This confession is general to the Church to obtain remission of sins, and the Prophets did not exempt themselves from the same. 59:13 1 To wit, against our neighbors. 59:14 1 There is neither justice nor uprightness among men.
59:15 1 The wicked will destroy him. 59:16 1 Meaning, to do justice, and to remedy the things that were so far out of order. 2 That is, his Church or his arm did help itself, and did not seek aid of any other. 59:17 1 Signifying, that God hath all means at hand to deliver his Church and to punish their enemies. 59:18 1 To wit, your enemies, which dwell in divers places, and beyond the sea. 59:19 1 He showeth that there shall be great affliction in the Church, but God will ever deliver his. 59:20 1 Whereby he declareth that the true deliverance from sin and Satan belongeth to none, but to the children of God, whom he justifieth. 59:21 1 Because the doctrine is made profitable by the virtue of the Spirit, he joineth the one with the other, and promiseth to give them both to his Church forever.
735 Isaiah 60:20 60 3 The Gentiles shall come to the knowledge of the Gospel. 8 They shall come to the Church in abundance. 16 They shall have abundance though they suffer for a time.
11 Therefore thy gates shall be open continually: neither day nor night shall they be shut, that men may bring unto thee the riches of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. 12 For the nation and the 1kingdom, that will not serve thee, shall perish: and those nations shall be utterly destroyed. 13 The 1glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the elm and the box tree together to beautify the place of my Sanctuary: for I will glorify the place of my 2feet. 14 The sons also of them that afflicted thee, shall come and bow unto thee: and all they that despised thee, shall fall 1down at the soles of thy feet: and they shall call thee; The city of the Lord, Zion of the Holy one of Israel. 15 Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went by thee, I will make thee an eternal glory, and a joy from generation to generation. 16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the 1breasts of Kings: and thou shalt know, that I the Lord am thy Savior, and thy Redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob. 17 For brass will I bring gold, and for iron will I bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron. I will also make thy government 1peace, and thine exactors righteousness. 18 Violence shall no more be heard of in thy land, neither desolation, nor destruction within thy borders: but thou shalt 1call salvation, thy walls, and praise, thy gates. 19 Thou shalt have no more Sun to shine by day, neither shall the brightness of the 1Moon shine unto thee: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and thy God, thy glory. 20 Thy Sun shall never go down, neither shall thy Moon be hid: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy sorrow shall be ended.
1 Arise, O Jerusalem; be bright, for thy 1light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 2 For behold, darkness shall cover the 1earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And the Gentiles shall walk in 1thy light, and Kings at the brightness of thy rising up. 4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all 1these are gathered, and come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nourished at thy side. 5 Then thou shalt see and shine: thine heart shall be astonied 1and enlarged, because the multitude of the sea shall be converted unto thee, and the riches of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. 6 The 1multitude of camels shall cover thee: and the dromedaries of Midian and of Ephah: all they of Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense, and show forth the praises of the Lord. 7 All the sheep of 1Kedar shall be gathered unto thee: the rams of Nebajoth shall serve thee: they shall come up to be accepted upon mine 2altar: and I will beautify the house of my glory. 8 Who are these 1that fly like a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? 9 Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships 1of Tarshish, as at the beginning, that they may bring thy sons from far, and their silver and their gold with them unto the Name of the Lord thy God, and to the Holy one of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. 10 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their 1Kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my mercy I had compassion on thee.
60:1 1 The time of thy prosperity and felicity: whereas speaking of Babylon, he commanded her to go down, Isa. 47:1. 60:2 1 Signifying, that all men are in darkness till God give them the light of his Spirit, and that this light shineth to none, but to those that are in his Church. 60:3 1 Meaning, that Judea should be as the morning star, and that the Gentiles should receive light of her. 60:4 1 An infinite number from all countries, as Isa. 49:18. 60:5 1 For joy, as the heart is drawn in for sorrow. 60:6 1 Meaning, that everyone shall honor the Lord with what wherewith he is able: signifying, that it is no true serving of God, except we offer ourselves to serve his glory, and all that we have. 60:7 1 That is, the Arabians, that have great abundance of cattle. 2 Because the Altar was a figure of Christ, Heb. 13:10, he showeth that nothing can be acceptable to him, which is not offered to him by this Altar, who was both the offering and the altar itself. 60:8 1 Showing what great number shall come to the Church, and with what great diligence and zeal. 60:9 1 The Gentiles that are now enemies, shall become friends and
setters forth of the Church. 60:10 1 Meaning, Cyrus and his successors, but chiefly this is accom plished in them that serve Christ, being converted by his Gospel. 60:12 1 He showeth that God hath given all power and authority here in earth for the use of his Church, and that they which will not serve and profit the same, shall be destroyed. 60:13 1 There is nothing so excellent which shall not serve the necessity of the Church. 2 Signifying, that God's Majesty is not included in the Temple, which is but the place for his feet, that we may learn to rise us to the heavens. 60:14 1 To worship their head Christ, by obeying his doctrine. 60:16 1 Both high and low shall be ready to help and succor thee. 60:17 1 Thy governors shall love thee, and seek thy wealth and pros perity. 60:18 1 Meaning, not a temporal felicity, but a spiritual, which is ful filled in Christ's kingdom. 60:19 1 Signifying, that all worldly means shall cease, and that Christ shall be all in all, as Rev. 21:23 and 22:5.
Isaiah 60:21 736
21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall possess the land forever, the 1grass of my planting shall be the work of mine hands, that I may be glorified. 22 A little one shall become as a 1thousand, and a small one as a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in due time. 61 1 He prophesieth that Christ shall be anointed, and sent to preach. 10 The joy of the faithful.
their land they shall possess the 4double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. 8 For I the Lord love judgment, and hate 1robbery for burnt offering, and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 And 1their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their buds among the people. All that see them, shall know them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed. 10 1I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, and my soul shall be joyful in my God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, and covered me with the robe of righteousness: he hath decked me like a bridegroom, and as a bride attireth herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth to grow that which is sown in it: so the Lord God will cause righteousness to grow, and praise before all the heathen. 62 1 The great desire that the Prophets have had for Christ's coming. 6 The diligence of the Pastors to preach.
chapter 61
a Luke 4:18
1 The aSpirit of the Lord God is 1upon me, therefore hath the Lord anointed me: he hath sent me to preach good tidings unto the poor, to bind up the 2broken hearted, to preach liberty to the 3captives, and to them that are bound, the opening of the prison, 2 To preach the 1acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of 2vengeance of our God, to comfort all that mourn, 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, and to give unto them beauty for 1ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of gladness for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called 2trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. 4 And they shall build the old waste places, and raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the cities that were desolate and waste through many 1generations. 5 And the strangers shall 1stand and feed your sheep, and the sons of the strangers shall be your plowmen, and dressers of your vines. 6 But ye shall be named the 1Priests of the Lord, and men shall say unto you, The ministers of our God: Ye shall eat the 2riches of the Gentiles, and shall be exalted with their glory. 7 For your shame you shall receive 1double, and for confusion, 2they shall rejoice in 3their portion: for in
1 For Zion's sake I will not 1hold my tongue, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof break forth as the 2light, and salvation thereof as a burning lamp. 2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all Kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by 1a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. 3 Thou shalt also be a 1crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. 4 It shall no more be said unto thee, 1Forsaken, neither shall it be said anymore to thy land, Desolate, but thou shalt be called 2Hephzibah, and thy land 3Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy
60:21 1 The children of the Church. 60:22 1 Meaning, that the Church should be miraculously multi plied. 61:1 1 Thus appertaineth to all the Prophets and ministers of God, but chiefly to Christ, of whose abundant graces everyone receiveth according as it pleaseth him to distribute. 2 To them that are lively touched with the feeling of their sins. 3 Which are in the bondage of sin. 61:2 1 The time when it pleased God to show his good favor to man, which S. Paul calleth the fullness of time, Gal. 4:4. 2 For when God delivereth his Church, he punisheth his enemies. 61:3 1 Which was the sign of mourning. 2 Trees that bring forth good fruits, as Matt. 3:8. 61:4 1 That is, for a long time. 61:5 1 They shall be ready to serve you in all your necessities. 61:6 1 This is accomplished in the time of Christ, by whom all the faithful are made Priests and Kings, 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6 and 5:10. 2 Read Isa. 6:11, 16. 61:7 1 Abundant recompense, as this word is used, Isa. 40:2. 2 That is, the Jews. 3 To wit, of the Gentiles.
4 Whereas the Gentiles had dominion over the Jews in times past, now they shall have double authority over them and possess twice so much. 61:8 1 I will not receive their offerings which are extortioners, deceiv ers, hypocrites, or that deprive me of my glory. 61:9 1 That is, of the Church. 61:10 1 He showeth what shall be the affection, when they feel this their deliverance. 62:1 1 The Prophet saith that he will never cease to declare unto the people the good tidings of their deliverance. 2 Till they have full deliverance: and this the Prophet speaketh to encourage all other ministers to the setting forth of God's mercies toward his Church. 62:2 1 Thou shalt have a more excellent fame than thou hast had hitherto. 62:3 1 He shall esteem thee as dear and precious as a king doth his crown. 62:4 1 Thou shalt no more be contemned as a woman forsaken of her husband. 2 Or, my delight in her. 3 Or, married.
737 Isaiah 63:11
land shalt have an 4husband. 5 For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons 1marry thee: and as a bridegroom is glad of the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. 6 I have set 1watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which all the day and all the night continual shall not cease: 2ye that are mindful of the Lord, keep not silence, 7 And give him no rest, till he repair, and until he set up Jerusalem the 1praise of the world. 8 The Lord hath sworn by his right hand and by his strong arm, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies, and surely the sons of the strangers shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast labored. 9 But they that have gathered it, shall eat it, and praise the Lord, and the gatherers thereof shall drink it in the courts of my Sanctuary. 10 1Go through, go through the gates: prepare you the way for the people: cast up, cast up the way, and gather out the stones, and set up a standard for the people. 11 Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the ends of the world, 1tell the daughter Zion, Behold, thy Savior cometh: Behold, his wages is with him, and 2his work is before him. 12 And they shall call them, The holy people, the redeemed of the Lord, and thou shalt be named, A 1city sought out and not forsaken. 63 1 God shall destroy his enemies for his Church's sake. 7 God's benefits toward his Church.
apparel, and walketh in his great strength. 2I speak in righteousness, and am mighty to save. 2 1Wherefore is thine apparel red, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winepress? 3 I have trodden the winepress alone, and of all people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and tread them under foot in my wrath, and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the 1year of my redeemed is come. 5 And I looked, and there was none to help, and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own 1arm helped me, and my wrath itself sustained me. 6 Therefore I will tread down the people in my wrath, and make them 1drunken in mine indignation, and will bring down their strength to the earth. 7 I will 1remember the mercy of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according unto all that the Lord hath given us, and for the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath given them according to his tender love, and according to his great mercies. 8 For he said, Surely they are my 1people, children that will not lie: so he was their Savior. 9 In all their troubles he was 1troubled, and the Angel 2of his presence saved them: in his love and in his mercy he redeemed them, and he bare them and carried them always continually. 10 But they rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore was he turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. 11 Then he 1remembered the old time of Moses and
1 Who is this that cometh 1from Edom, with red garments from Bozrah? he is glorious in his
4 That it may be replenished with children. 62:5 1 Forasmuch as they confess one faith and religion with thee, they are in the same bond of marriage with thee, and they are called the children of the Church, inasmuch as Christ maketh her plentiful to bring forth children unto him. 62:6 1 Prophets, Pastors, and Ministers. 2 He exhorteth the ministers never to cease to call upon God by prayer for the deliverance of his Church, and to teach others to do the same. 62:7 1 For the restoration whereof all the world shall praise him. 62:10 1 Signifying the great number that should come to the Church, and what means he would prepare for the restitution of the same, as Isa. 57:14. 62:11 1 Ye Prophets and Ministers show the people of this their deliverance: which was chiefly meant of our salvation by Christ, Zech. 9:9; Matt. 21:5. 2 He shall have all power to bring his purpose to pass, as Isa. 40:10. 62:12 1 That is, one over whom God hath had a singular care to recover her when she was lost. 63:1 1 This prophecy is against the Idumeans and enemies which per secuted the Church, on whom God will take vengeance, and is here set forth all bloody after he hath destroyed them in Bozrah, the chief city of the Idumeans: for these were their greatest enemies, and under the title of circumcision and the kindred of Abraham, claimed to them
selves the chief religion, and hated the true worshippers, Ps. 137:7. 2 God answereth them that asked this question, Who is this? etc. and saith, Ye see now performed in deed the vengeance which my Prophets threatened. 63:2 1 Another question, to the which the Lord answereth. 63:4 1 Showing that when God punisheth his enemies, it is for the profit and deliverance of his Church. 63:5 1 God showeth that he hath no need of man's help for the deliverance of his, and though men refuse to do their duty through negligence and ingratitude, yet he himself will deliver his Church, and punish the enemies, read Isa. 59:16. 63:6 1 I will so astonish them and make them so giddy, that they shall not know which way to go. 63:7 1 The Prophet speaketh this to move the people to remember God's benefits in times past, that they may be confirmed in their troubles. 63:8 1 For I did choose them to be mine, that they should be holy, and not deceive mine expectation. 63:9 1 He bare their afflictions and griefs as though they had been his own. 2 Which was a witness of God's presence, and this may be referred to Christ, to whom belongeth the office of Salvation. 63:11 1 That is, the people of Israel, being afflicted, called to remembrance God's benefits, which he had bestowed upon their fathers in times past.
Isaiah 63:12 738
his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the 2shepherd of his sheep? Where is he that put his holy Spirit within 3him? 12 He led them by the right hand of Moses with his own glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting Name. 13 He led them through the deep, as an 1horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble. 14 As the beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious Name. 15 1Look down from heaven, and behold from the dwelling place of thine holiness, and of thy glory. Where is thy 2zeal and thy strength, the multitude of thy mercies, and of thy compassion? they are restrained from 3me. 16 Doubtless thou art our Father: though 1Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel know us not, yet thou, O Lord, art our Father, and our redeemer: thy Name is forever. 17 O Lord, why hast 1thou made us to err from thy ways? and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy 2servant's sake, and for the tribes of thine inheritance. 18 The people of thine holiness have possessed it, but a little 1while: for our adversaries have trodden down thy Sanctuary. 19 We have been as they, over whom thou never barest rule, and upon whom thy name was not called. 64 1 The Prophet prayeth for the sins of the people. 6 Man's righteousness is like a filthy cloth.
thy presence! 2 As the melting fire burned, as the fire caused 1the waters to boil, (that thou mightest declare thy Name to thine adversaries) the people did tremble at thy presence. 3 When thou didst terrible things, which we looked not for, thou camest down, and the mountains melted at thy presence. 4 For since the beginning of the world, they have not 1heard nor understood with the ear, neither hath the eye seen another God beside thee, which doeth so to him that waiteth for him. 5 Thou didst meet him, 1that rejoiced in thee, and did justly: they remembered thee in thy 2ways: behold, thou art angry, for we have sinned: yet in 3them is continuance, and we 4shall be saved. 6 But we have all been as an unclean thing, and all our 1righteousness is as filthy cloths, and we all do fade like a leaf, and our iniquities like the wind have taken us away. 7 And there is none that calleth upon thy Name, neither that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us because of our iniquities. 8 But now, O Lord, thou art our Father: we are the 1clay, and thou art our potter, and we all are the work of thine hands. 9 Be not angry, O Lord, 1above measure, neither remember iniquity forever: Lo, we beseech thee, behold, we are all thy people. 10 1Thine holy cities lie waste: Zion is a wilderness, and Jerusalem a desert. 11 The house of our Sanctuary, and of our glory, 1where our fathers praised thee, is burnt up with fire, and all our pleasant things are wasted.
1 Oh, that thou wouldest 1break the heavens, and come down, and that the mountains might melt at
63:11 2 Meaning, Moses. 3 That is, in Moses that he might well govern the people: some refer this giving of the spirit to the people. 63:13 1 Peaceably and gentle, as an horse is led to his pasture. 63:15 1 Having declared God's benefits showed to their forefathers, he turned himself to God by prayer, desiring him to continue the same graces toward them. 2 Thy great affection, which thou barest towards us. 3 Meaning, from the whole body of the Church. 63:16 1 Though Abraham would refuse us to be his children, yet thou wilt not refuse to be our father. 63:17 1 By taking away the holy Spirit from us, by whom we were gov erned, and so for our ingratitude didst deliver us up to our own concu piscence, and didst punish sin by sin according to thy just judgment. 2 Meaning, for the Covenant's sake made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob his servants. 63:18 1 That is, in respect of the promise, which is perpetual: albeit they had now possessed the land of Canaan, a thousand and four hundred years: and thus they lament, to move God rather to remem ber his Covenant, than to punish their sins. 64:1 1 The Prophet continueth his prayer, desiring God to declare his love toward his Church by miracles, and mighty power, as he did
in mount Sinai. 64:2 1 Meaning, the rain, hail, fire, thunder, and lightnings. 64:4 1 S. Paul useth the same kind of admiration, 1 Cor. 2:9, marvel ing at God's great benefit showed to his Church, by the preaching of the Gospel. 64:5 1 Thou showedst favor toward our fathers, when they trusted in thee, and walked after thy Commandments. 2 They considered thy great mercies. 3 That is, in thy mercies, which he calleth the ways of the Lord. 4 Thou wilt have pity upon us. 64:6 1 We are justly punished and brought into captivity, because we have provoked thee to anger, and though we would excuse our selves, yet our righteousness, and best virtues are before thee as vile cloths, or (as some read) like the menstruous clothes of a woman. 64:8 1 Albeit, O Lord, by thy just judgment thou mayest utterly destroy us as the potter may his pot, yet we appeal to thy mercies, whereby it hath pleased thee to adopt us to be thy children. 64:9 1 For so the flesh judgeth when God doth not immediately send succor. 64:10 1 Which were dedicated to thy service, and to call upon thy Name. 64:11 1 Wherein we rejoiced and worshipped thee.
739 Isaiah 65:18
12 Wilt thou hold thyself still 1at these things, O Lord? wilt thou hold thy peace and afflict us above measure? 65 1 The vocation of the Gentiles, and the rejection of the Jews. 13 The joy of the elect, and the punishment of the wicked.
9 But I will bring a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah that shall inherit my mountain; and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. 10 And 1Sharon shall be a sheepfold, and the valley of Achor shall be a resting place for the cattle of my people, that have sought me. 11 But ye are they that have forsaken the Lord, and forgotten mine holy Mountain, and have prepared a table for the 1multitude, and furnish the drink offerings unto the number. 12 Therefore will I 1number you to the sword, and all you shall bow down to the slaughter, because I called, and ye did not answer; I 2spake, and ye heard not, but did evil in my sight, and did choose that thing which I would not. 13 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, my servants shall 1eat, and ye shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, and ye shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, and ye shall be ashamed. 14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, and ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of mind. 15 And ye shall leave your name as a curse unto my 1chosen; for the Lord God shall slay you, and call his servants by 2another name. 16 He that shall bless in the 1earth, shall bless himself in the true God; and he that sweareth in the earth, shall swear by the true God; for the former 2troubles are forgotten, and shall surely hide themselves from mine eyes. 17 For lo, I will create 1new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered nor come into mind. 18 But be you glad and rejoice forever in the things
1 I have been sought of them that 1asked not: I was found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that called not upon my Name. 2 I have 1spread out mine hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walked in a way that was not good, even after their own 2imaginations. 3 A people that provoked me ever unto my face: that sacrificeth in 1gardens, and burneth incense upon 2bricks. 4 Which remain among the 1graves, and lodge in the deserts, which eat 2swine's flesh, and the broth of things polluted are in their vessels. 5 Which say, 1Stand apart, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou; these are a smoke in my wrath, and a fire that 2burneth all the day. 6 Behold, it is 1written before me; I will not keep silence, but will render it and recompense it into their bosom. 7 Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers, shall be 1together (saith the Lord) which have burnt incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills; therefore will I measure their old work into their bosom. 8 Thus saith the Lord, As the wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not, for a 1blessing is in it, so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them whole.
64:12 1 That is, at the contempt of thine own glory? though our sins have deserved this, yet thou wilt not suffer thy glory thus to be diminished. 65:1 1 Meaning, the Gentiles which knew not God, should seek after him, when he had moved their heart with his holy Spirit, Rom. 10:20. 65:2 1 He showeth the cause of the rejection of the Jews, because they would not obey him for any admonition of his Prophets, by whom he called them continually and stretched out his hand to draw them. 2 He showeth that to delight in our own fantasies, is the declining from God and the beginning of all superstition and Idolatry. 65:3 1 Which were dedicated to idols. 2 Meaning, their altars, which he thus named by contempt. 65:4 1 To consult with spirits, and to conjure devils, which was for bidden, Deut.18:11. 2 Which was contrary to God's Commandment, Lev. 11:7; Deut. 14:8. 65:5 1 He showeth that hypocrisy is ever joined with pride and con tempt of others. 2 Their punishment shall never have end. 65:6 1 So that the remembrance thereof cannot be forgotten. 65:7 1 Shall be both punished together: and this declareth how the children are punished for their fathers' faults, to wit, when the same faults or like are found in them.
65:8 1 That is, it is profitable: meaning, that God will not destroy the faithful branches of his vineyard, when he destroyeth the rotten stocks, that is, the hypocrites. 65:10 1 Which was a plentiful place in Judea to feed sheep, as Achor was for cattle. 65:11 1 By the multitude and number he meaneth their innumer able idols of whom they thought they could never have enough. 65:12 1 Seeing you cannot number your gods, I will number you with the sword. 2 By my Prophets, whom ye would not obey. 65:13 1 By these words, Eat and drink, he meaneth, the blessed life of the faithful, which have always consolation and full contentment of all things in their God, though sometimes they lack these corporal things. 65:15 1 Meaning, that he would call the Gentiles, who should abhor even the very name of the Jews for their infidelities' sake. 2 Than by the name of the Jews. 65:16 1 By blessing, and by swearing is meant the praising of God for his benefits, and the true worshipping of him, which shall not be only in Judea, but through all the world. 2 I will no more suffer my Church to be desolate as in times past. 65:17 1 I will so alter and change the state of my church, that it shall seem to dwell in a new world.
Isaiah 65:19 740
that I shall create; for behold, I will create Jerusalem, as a rejoicing, and her people as a joy. 19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people, and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. 20 There shall be no more there a child of years, nor an old man that hath 1not filled his days: for he that shall be an hundred years old, shall die as a young man: but the sinner being 2an hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 And they shall 1build houses, and inhabit them, and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. 22 They shall not build, and another inhabit: they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of the tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall enjoy in old age the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth in fear: for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their buds with them. 24 Yea, before they call, I will answer, and whiles they speak, I will hear. 25 The 1wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and to the serpent dust shall be his meat. They shall no more hurt nor destroy in all mine holy Mountain, saith the Lord. 66 1 God dwelleth not in Temples made with hands. 3 He despiseth sacrifices done without mercy and faith. 5 God comforteth them that are troubled for his sake. 19 The vocation of the Gentiles. 23 The perpetual Sabbath. 24 The punishment of the wicked is everlasting.
2 For all these things hath mine hand made, 1and all these things have been, saith the Lord: and to him will I look, even to him that is poor, and of 2a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my words. 3 He that killeth a bullock, is as if he 1slew a man: he that sacrificeth a sheep, as if he cut off a dog's neck: he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood: he that remembereth incense, as if he blessed an idol: yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. 4 Therefore will I 1choose out their delusions, and I will bring their fear upon them, because I called and none would answer: I speak, and they would not hear: but they did evil in my sight, and chose the things which I would not. 5 Hear the word of the Lord, all ye that tremble at his 1word, Your brethren that hated you, and cast you out for my Name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. 6 1A voice soundeth from the city, even a voice from the Temple, the voice of the Lord, that recompenseth his enemies fully. 7 Before 1she travailed, she brought forth: and before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. 8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? shall the earth be brought forth in one 1day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. 9 Shall I 1cause to travail, and not bring forth? shall I cause to bring forth, and shall be barren, saith thy God? 10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her, 11 That ye may suck, 1and be satisfied with the
chapter 66
a Acts 7:48,49
1 Thus saith the Lord, aThe 1heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is that house that ye will build unto me? and where is that place of my rest?
65:20 1 Meaning, in this wonderful restoration of the Church there should be no weakness of youth, nor infirmities of age, but all should be fresh and flourishing: and this is accomplished in the heavenly Jeru salem, when all sin shall cease, and the tears shall be wiped away. 2 Whereby he showeth that the infidels and unrepentant sinners have no part of this benediction. 65:21 1 He proposeth to the faithful the blessings which are con tained in the Law, and so under temporal things comprehendeth the spiritual promises. 65:25 1 Read Isa. 11:6. 66:1 1 My majesty is so great, that it filleth both heaven and earth, and therefore cannot be included in a temple like an idol: condemning hereby their vain confidence, which trusted in the Temple and sacrifices. 66:2 1 Seeing that both the Temple and the things therein, with the sacrifices, were made and done by his appointment, he showeth that he hath no need thereof, and that he can be without them, Ps. 50:10. 2 To him that is humble and pure in heart, which receiveth my doctrine with reverence and fear. 66:3 1 Because the Jews thought themselves holy by offering of their sacrifices, and in the mean season had neither faith nor repentance, God showeth that he doth no less detest these ceremonies than he
doth the sacrifices of the heathen, who offered men, dogs, and swine to their idols, which things were expressly forbidden in the Law. 66:4 1 I will discover their wickedness and hypocrisy, wherewith they think to blind mine eyes, to all the world. 66:5 1 He encourageth the faithful by promising to destroy their enemies, which pretended to be as brethren, but were hypocrites, and hated them that feared God. 66:6 1 The enemies shall shortly hear a more terrible voice, even fire and slaughter, seeing they would not hear the gentle voice of the Prophets, which called them to repentance. 66:7 1 Meaning, that the restoration of the Church should be so sud den and contrary to all men's opinions, as when a woman is delivered before she looked for it, and that without pain in travail. 66:8 1 This shall pass the capacity of man to see such a multitude that shall come up at once, meaning, under the preaching of the Gospel, whereof they that came up out of Babylon were a sign. 66:9 1 Declaring hereby, that as in his power and providence women travailed and delivered, so he giveth the power to bring forth the Church at his time appointed. 66:11 1 That is, may rejoice for all the benefits that God bestoweth upon his Church.
741 Isaiah 66:24
breasts of her consolation: that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the brightness of her glory. 12 For thus saith the Lord, behold, I will extend 1peace over her like a flood, and the glory of the 2Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be 3born upon her sides, and be joyful upon her knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you, and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. 14 And when ye see this, your hearts shall rejoice, and your 1bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the Lord shall be known among his servants, and his indignation against his enemies. 15 For behold, the Lord will come with fire, and his chariots like a whirlwind, that he may 1recompense his anger with wrath, and his indignation with the flame of fire. 16 For the Lord will judge with fire, and with his sword all flesh, and the flame of the Lord shall be many. 17 They that sanctify 1themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst eating 2swine's flesh, and such abomination, even the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord. 18 For I will visit their works, and their imaginations,
for it shall come that I will gather all nations, and tongues, and they shall come, and see my 1glory. 19 And I will set a 1sign among them, and will send those that 2escape of them unto the nations of 3Tarshish, 4Pul, and 5Lud, and to them that draw the 6bow, to 7Tubal and 8Javan, isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory, and 9they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. 20 And they shall bring all your 1brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations, upon 2horses, and in chariots, and in horse litters, and upon mules, and swift beasts, to Jerusalem mine holy Mountain, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel offer in a clean vessel in the House of the Lord. 21 And I will take of them for 1Priests, and for Levites, saith the Lord. 22 For as the new 1heavens, and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name continue. 23 And from month to month, and from Sabbath to Sabbath shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. 24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the 1carcasses of the men that have transgressed against me: for their 2worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched, and they shall be an abhorring 3unto all flesh.
66:12 1 I will give her felicity and prosperity in great abundance. 2 Read Isa. 60:16. 3 Ye shall be cherished as her dearly beloved children. 66:14 1 Ye shall have new strength and new beauty. 66:15 1 This vengeance God began to execute at the destruction of Babylon, and hath ever continued it against the enemies of his Church, and will do till the last day, which shall be the accomplishment thereof. 66:17 1 Meaning, the hypocrites. 2 Whereby are meant them that did maliciously transgress the Law, by eating beasts forbidden, even to the mouse, which nature abhoreth. 66:18 1 The Gentiles shall be partakers of that glory, which before I showed to the Jews. 66:19 1 I will make these that I chose, that they perish not with the rest of the infidels: whereby he alludeth to the marking of the posts of his people, whom he preserved, Exod. 12:7. 2 I will scatter the rest of the Jews, which escaped destruction, into divers nations. 3 That is, Cilicia. 4 Meaning Africa. 5 To wit, Lydia, or Asia minor. 6 Signifying the Parthians.
7 Italy. 8 Greece. 9 Meaning, the Apostles, Disciples, and others, which he did first choose of the Jews to preach unto the Gentiles. 66:20 1 That is, the Gentiles, which by faith shall be made the chil dren of Abraham as you are. 2 Whereby he meaneth that no necessary means shall want, when God shall call the Gentiles to the knowledge of the Gospel. 66:21 1 To wit, of the Gentiles, as he did Luke, Timothy, and Titus first, and others after to preach his word. 66:22 1 Hereby he signifieth the kingdom of Christ wherein his Church shall be renewed, and whereas before there were appointed seasons to sacrifice, in this there shall be one continual Sabbath, so that all times and seasons shall be meet. 66:24 1 As he that declared the felicity that shall be within the Church for the comfort of the godly, so doth he show what horrible calamity shall come to the wicked, that are out of the Church. 2 Meaning, a continual torment of conscience, which shall ever gnaw them, and never suffer them to be at rest, Mark 9:44. 3 This is the just recompense for the wicked, which contemning God and his word, shall be by God's just judgment abhorred of all his creatures.
J e r e m i a h
1 1 In what time Jeremiah prophesied. 6 He acknowledgeth his imperfection, and is strengthened of the Lord. 11 The Lord showeth him the destruction of Jerusalem. 17 He commandeth him to preach his word without fear.
1touched my mouth, and the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 10 Behold, this day have I set thee over the 1nations, and over the kingdoms, to pluck up, and to root out, and to destroy, and throw down, to build, and to plant. 11 After this the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a 1rod of almond tree. 12 Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast seen aright: for I will hasten my word to perform it. 13 Again the word of the Lord came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething 1pot looking out of the North. 14 Then said the Lord unto me, Out of the 1North shall a plague be spread upon all the inhabitants of the land. 15 For lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the North, saith the Lord, and they shall come, and everyone shall set his throne in the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and on all the walls thereof round about, and in all the cities of Judah. 16 And I will declare unto them my 1judgments touching all the wickedness of them that have forsaken me, and have burnt incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands. 17 Thou therefore truss up thy loins, and arise and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not afraid of their faces, lest I 1destroy thee before them.
1 The 1words of Jeremiah the son of 2Hilkiah one of the Priests that were at 3Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. 2 To whom the 1word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon King of Judah in the thirteenth year of his reign: 3 And also in the days of Jehoiakim the 1son of Josiah king of Judah unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah king of Judah, even unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth 2month. 4 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 5 Before I 1formed thee in the womb, I knew thee, and before thou camest out of the womb, I sanctified thee, and ordained thee to be a Prophet unto the 2nations. 6 Then said I, 1Oh, Lord God, behold, I cannot speak, for I am a child. 7 But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee, shalt thou speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. 9 Then the Lord stretched out his hand, and
1:1 1 That is, the sermons and prophecies. 2 Which is thought to be he that found the book of the Law under king Josiah, 2 Kings 22:8. 3 This was a city about three miles distant from Jerusalem, and belonged to the Priests, the sons of Aaron, Josh. 21:18. 1:2 1 This is spoken to confirm his vocation and office, forasmuch as he did not presume of himself to preach and prophesy, but was called thereunto by God. 1:3 1 Meaning, the nephew of Josiah: for Jehoahaz was his father, who reigned but three months, and therefore is not mentioned, no more is Jehoiakim that reigned no longer. 2 Of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, who was also called Mattaniah, and at this time the Jews were carried away into Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. 1:5 1 The scripture useth this manner of speech, to declare that God hath appointed his minsters to their offices before they were born, as Isa. 49:1; Gal. 1:15. 2 For Jeremiah did not only prophesy against the Jews, but also against the Egyptians, Babylonians, Moabites, and other nations. 1:6 1 Considering the great judgments of God, which according to his threatening should come upon the world, he was moved with a certain compassion on the one side to pity them that should thus perish, and on the other side by the infirmity of man's nature, know
ing how hard a thing it was to enterprise such a charge, as Isa. 6:11; Exod. 3:21 and 4:1. 1:9 1 Which declareth that God maketh them meet, and assureth them, whom he calleth to set forth his glory: giving them all means necessary for the same, Exod. 4:12; Isa. 6:7. 1:10 1 He showeth what is the authority of God's true ministers, which by his word have power to bear down whatsoever lifteth itself up against God: and to plant and assure the humble, and such as give themselves to the obedience of God's word, 2 Cor. 10:4, 5; Heb. 4:12, and these are the keys which Christ hath left to loose, and bind, Matt. 18:18. 1:11 1 He joineth the sign with the word, for a more ample confirma tion: signifying by the rod of the Almond tree, which first buddeth, the hasty coming of the Babylonians against the Jews. 1:13 1 Signifying, that the Chaldeans and Assyrians should be as a pot to seethe the Jews which boiled in their pleasures and lust. 1:14 1 Syria and Assyria were Northward in respect of Jerusalem, which were the Chaldeans' dominion. 1:16 1 I will give them charge and power to execute my vengeance against the Idolaters which have forsaken me for their idols. 1:17 1 Which declareth that God's vengeance is prepared against them, which dare not execute their duty faithfully, either for fear of man, or for any other cause, 1 Cor. 9:16.
743 Jeremiah 2:17
18 For I, behold, I this day have made thee a defenced city, and an 1iron pillar and walls of brass against the whole land, against the Kings of Judah, and against the Princes thereof, against the Priests thereof, and against the people of the land. 19 For they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. 2 2 God rehearseth his benefits done unto the Jews. 8 Against the priests and false prophets. 12 The Jews are destroyed because they forsake God.
of death, by a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt? 7 And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof, and the commodities of the same: but when ye entered, ye defiled 1my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. 8 The priests said not, 1Where is the Lord? and they that should minister the 2Law, knew me not: the 3pastors also offended against me, and the prophets prophesied in 4Baal, and went after things that did not profit. 9 Wherefore I will yet 1plead with you, saith the Lord, and I will plead with your children's children. 10 For go ye to the isles of 1Chittim, and behold, and send unto 2Kedar, and take diligent heed, and see whether there be such things. 11 Hath any nation changed their gods, which yet are no gods? but my people have changed their 1glory, for that which doth not 2profit. 12 O ye 1heavens, be astonied at this: be afraid and utterly confounded, saith the Lord. 13 For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me 1the fountain of living waters, to dig them pits, even broken pits that can hold no water. 14 Is Israel a 1servant, or is he born in the house? why then is he spoiled? 15 The 1Lions roared upon him and yelled, and they have made his land waste: his cities are burnt without 2an inhabitant. 16 Also the children of 1Noph and Tahapanes have 2broken thine head. 17 Hast not thou procured this unto thyself,
1 Moreover, the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 2 Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I remember thee, with the 1kindness of thy youth and the love of thy marriage, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness 2in a land that was not sown. 3 Israel was as a thing 1hallowed unto the Lord, and his firstfruits: all they 2that eat it, shall offend: evil shall come upon them, saith the Lord. 4 Hear ye the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. 5 Thus saith the Lord, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone 1far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become 2vain? 6 For they said not, Where is the Lord that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a desert, and waste land, through a dry land, and by 1the shadow
1:18 1 Signifying, on the one part, that the more that Satan and the world rage against God's Ministers, the more present will he be to help them, Josh. 1:5; Heb. 13:5, and on the other part, that they are utterly unmeet to serve God in his Church, which are afraid, and do not resist wickedness, whatsoever danger depend thereon, Isa. 50:7; Ezek. 3:8. 2:2 1 According to that grace and favor which I showed thee from the beginning, when I did first choose thee to be my people, and married thee to myself, Ezek. 16:8. 2 When I had delivered thee out of Egypt. 2:3 1 Chosen above all others to serve the Lord only, and the first offered to the Lord of all other nations. 2 Whosoever did challenge this people, or else did annoy them, was punished. 2:5 1 That is, fallen to most vile idolatry. 2 Altogether given to vanity, and are become blind and insensible as the idols that they serve. 2:6 1 Where for lack of all things necessary for life, ye could look for nothing every hour but present death. 2:7 1 By your idolatry and wicked manners, Ps. 78:58 and 106:38. 2:8 1 They taught not the people to seek after God. 2 As the Scribes, which should have expounded the Law to the people. 3 Meaning, the Princes and Ministers: signifying, that all estates were corrupt. 4 That is, spake vain things, and brought the people from the true
worship of God to serve idols: for by Baal, which was the chief idol of the Moabites, are meant all idols. 2:9 1 Signifying that he would not as he might, straightway con demn them, but showeth them by evident examples their great ingratitude that they might be ashamed and repent. 2:10 1 Meaning, the Grecians and Italians. 2 Unto Arabia. 2:11 1 That is, God which is their glory, and who maketh them glori ous above all other people, reproving the Jews that they were less diligent to serve the true God, than were the idolaters to honor their vanities. 2 Meaning, the idols which were their destruction, Ps. 106:36. 2:12 1 He showeth that the insensible creatures abhor this vile ingratitude, and as it were tremble for fear of God's great judgments against the same. 2:13 1 Signifying, that when men forsake God's word, which is the fountain of life, they reject God himself, and so fall to their own inven tions, and vain confidence, and procure to themselves destruction, Jonah 2:8; Zech. 10:2. 2:14 1 Have I ordered them like servants and not like dearly beloved chil dren? Exod. 4:22, therefore it is their fault only, if the enemy spoil them. 2:15 1 The Babylonians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians. 2 Not one shall be left to dwell there. 2:16 1 That is, the Egyptians: for these were two great cities in Egypt. 2 Have grievously vexed thee at sundry times.
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because thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, when he 1led thee by the way? 18 And what hast thou now to do in the way of 1Egypt? to drink the water of Nilus? or what makest thou in the way of Assyria? to drink the water of the 2River? 19 Thine own wickedness shall 1correct thee, and thy turnings back shall reprove thee: know therefore and behold, that it is an evil thing, and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts. 20 For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bonds, and thou saidest, 1I will no more transgress, but like an harlot thou runnest about upon all high hills, and under all green trees. 21 Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, whose 1plants were all natural: how then art thou turned unto me into the plants of a strange vine? 22 Though thou wash thee with 1nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord God. 23 How canst thou say, I am not polluted, neither have I 1followed Baal? behold thy ways in the valley, and know what thou hast done: thou art like a swift 2dromedary, that runneth by his ways. 24 And as a wild 1ass used to the wilderness that snuffeth up the wind by occasion at her pleasure: who can turn her back? all they that seek her, will not weary themselves, but will find her in her 2month. 25 Keep thou thy feet from 1bareness, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidest desperately, No, for I have loved strangers, and them will I follow.
26 As the 1thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed, they, their kings, their princes and their priests, and their prophets, 27 Saying to a tree, Thou art my 1father, and to a stone, Thou hast begotten me: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and help us. 28 But where are thy gods, that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can help thee in the time of thy trouble: for according 1to the number of thy cities, are thy gods, O Judah. 29 Wherefore will 1ye plead with me? ye all have rebelled against me, saith the Lord. 30 I have smitten your children in vain, they received no correction: your own 1sword hath devoured your Prophets like a destroying lion. 31 O generation, take heed to the word of the Lord: have I been as a 1wilderness unto Israel? or a land of darkness? Wherefore saith my people then, We are lords, 2we will come no more unto thee? 32 Can a maid forget her ornament, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me, days without number. 33 Why dost thou prepare thy way, to 1seek amity? even therefore will I teach thee, that thy ways are wickedness. 34 Also in thy 1wings is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it in holes, but upon all these places. 35 Yet thou sayest, Because I am guiltless, surely his wrath shall turn from me: behold, I will enter with thee into judgment, because thou sayest, I have
2:17 1 Showing that God would have still led them aright, if they would have followed him. 2:18 1 To seek help of man, as though God were not able enough to defend thee, which is to drink of the puddles, and to leave the fountain, read Isa. 31:1. 2 To wit, Euphrates. 2:19 1 Meaning, that the wicked are insensible, till the punishment for their sin waken them as verse 26; Isa. 3:9. 2:20 1 When I delivered thee out of Egypt, Exod. 19:8; Deut. 5:27; Josh. 24:16; Ezra 10:12; Heb. 8:6. 2:21 1 Hebrew, seed was all true. 2:22 1 Though thou use all the purifications and ceremonies of the law, thou canst not escape punishment, except thou turn to me by faith and repentance. 2:23 1 Meaning, that hypocrites deny that they worship the idols, but that they honor God in them, and therefore they call their doings, God's service. 2 He compareth the idolaters to these beasts, because they never cease running to and fro: for both valleys and hills are full of their idolatry. 2:24 1 He compareth the idolaters to a wild ass: for she can never be tamed nor yet wearied: for as she runneth she can take her wind at every occasion. 2 That is, when she is with foal, and therefore the hunters wait their time: so though thou canst not be turned back now from thine
idolatry, yet when thine iniquity shall be at the fall, God will meet with thee. 2:25 1 Hereby he warneth them that they should not go into strange countries to seek help: for they should but spend their labor, and hurt themselves, which is here meant by the bare foot and thirst, Isa. 57:10. 2:26 1 As a thief will not acknowledge his fault, till he be taken with the deed, and ready to be punished, so they will not confess their idolatry, till the plagues due to the same light upon them. 2:27 1 Meaning, that idolaters spoil God of his honor: and whereas he hath taught to call him the father of all flesh, they attribute this title to their idols. 2:28 1 Thou thoughtest that thy gods of blocks and stones could have helped thee, because they were many in number and present in every place: but now let us see whether either the multitude, or their presence can deliver thee from my plague, Jer. 11:13. 2:29 1 As though I did you injury in punishing you, seeing that your faults are so evident. 2:30 1 That is, you have killed your Prophets, that exhorted you to repentance, as Zechariah, Isaiah, etc. 2:31 1 Have I not given them abundance of all things? 2 But will trust in our own power and policy. 2:33 1 With strangers. 2:34 1 The Prophets and the faithful are slain in every corner of your country.
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not sinned. 36 Why runnest thou about so much to change thy ways? for thou shalt be confounded of Egypt, 1as thou art confounded of Assyria. 37 For thou shalt go forth from thence, and thine hands upon 1thine head, because the Lord hath rejected thy confidence, and thou shalt not prosper thereby. 3 God calleth his people unto repentance. 14 He promiseth the restitution of his Church. 20 He reproveth Judah and Israel, comparing them to a woman disobedient to her husband.
sister Judah saw. 8 When I saw, how that by all occasions rebellious Israel had played the harlot, I cast 1her away, and gave her a bill of divorcement: yet her rebellious sister Judah was not afraid, but she went also and played the harlot. 9 So that for the 1lightness of her whoredom she hath even defiled the land: for she hath committed fornication with stones and stocks. 10 Nevertheless for all this, her rebellious sister Judah hath not returned unto me with 1her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto me, The rebellious Israel hath 1justified herself more than the rebellious Judah. 12 Go and cry these words toward 1the North, and say, Thou disobedient Israel, return, saith the Lord, and I will not let my wrath fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not always keep mine anger. 13 But know thine iniquity: for thou hast rebelled against the Lord thy God, and hast 1scattered thy ways to the strange gods under every green tree, but ye would not obey my voice, saith the Lord. 14 O ye disobedient children, turn again, saith the Lord, for I am your Lord, and I will take you one of a city, and two of a tribe, and will bring you to Zion, 15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. 16 Moreover, when ye be increased and multiplied in the land, in those days, saith the Lord, they shall say no more, The 1Ark of the covenant of the Lord: for it shall come no more to mind, neither shall they remember it, neither shall they visit it, for that shall be no more done. 17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem, 1The
1 They 1say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return again unto her? shall not this land 2be polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many 3lovers: yet 4turn again to me, saith the Lord. 2 Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and behold, where thou hast not played the harlot: thou hast sat waiting for them in the ways, as the 1Arabian in the wilderness: and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms, and with thy malice. 3 Therefore the showers have been restrained, and the 1latter rain came not, and thou haddest a 2whore's forehead: thou wouldest not be ashamed. 4 Didst thou not still cry 1unto me, Thou art my father, and the guide of my youth? 5 Will he keep his anger forever? will he reserve it to the end? thus hast thou spoken, but thou doest evil, even more and more. 6 The Lord said also unto me, in the days of Josiah the King, Hast thou seen what this rebel 1Israel hath done? for she hath gone up upon every high mountain, and under every green tree, and there played the harlot. 7 And I said, when she had done all this, Turn thou unto me: but she returned not, as her rebellious
2:36 1 For the Assyrians had taken away the ten tribes out of Israel, and destroyed Judah even unto Jerusalem: and the Egyptians slew Josiah, and vexed the Jews in sundry sorts. 2:37 1 In sign of lamentation, as 2 Sam. 13:19. 3:1 1 According as it is written, Deut. 24:4. 2 If he take such one to wife again. 3 That is, with idols, and with them whom thou hast put thy con fidence in. 4 And I will not cast thee off, but receive thee, according to my mercy. 3:2 1 Which dwelleth in tents and waiteth for them that pass by to spoil them. 3:3 1 As God threatened by his Law, Deut. 28:24. 2 Thou wouldest never be ashamed of thine acts and repent: and this impudency is common to idolaters, which will not give off, though they be never so manifestly convicted. 3:4 1 He showeth that the wicked in their miseries will cry unto God and use outward prayer as the godly do, but because they turn not
from their evil, they are not heard, Isa. 58:3, 4. 3:6 1 Meaning, the ten tribes. 3:8 1 And gave her into the hands of the Assyrians. 3:9 1 The Hebrew word may either signify lightness, and wanton ness, or noise and brute. 3:10 1 Judah feigned for a time that she did return, as under Josiah and other good kings, but she was never truly touched, or wholly reformed, as appeared when occasion was offered by any wicked prince. 3:11 1 Israel hath not declared herself so wicked as Judah, which yet hath had more admonitions and examples to call her to repentance. 3:12 1 Whereas the Israelites were now kept in captivity by the Assyr ians, to whom he promiseth mercy, if they will repent. 3:13 1 There was no way, which thou didst not haunt to seek after the idols, and to trot a pilgrimage. 3:16 1 This is to be understood of the coming of Christ: for then they shall not seek the Lord by ceremonies, and all figures shall cease. 3:17 1 Meaning, the Church, where the Lord will be present to the world's end, Matt. 28:20.
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the Lord: and if thou put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove. 2 And thou shalt 1swear, The Lord liveth in truth, in judgment and in righteousness, and the nations shall be blessed in him, and shall glory in him. 3 For thus saith the Lord to the men of Judah, and to Jerusalem, 4 Break up 1your fallow ground, and sow not among the thorns: be circumcised to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your hearts, ye men of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem, lest my wrath come forth like fire, and burn, that none can quench it, because of the wickedness of your inventions. 5 1Declare in Judah, and show forth in Jerusalem, and say, Blow the trumpet in the land: cry, and gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into strong cities. 6 Set up the standard in Zion: 1prepare to flee, and stay not: for I will bring a plague from the North, and a great destruction. 7 The 1lion is come up from his den, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is departed, and gone forth of his place to lay thy land waste, and thy cities shall be destroyed without an inhabitant. 8 Wherefore gird you with sackcloth: lament, and howl, for the fierce wrath of the Lord is not turned back from us. 9 And in that day, saith the Lord, the heart of the king shall perish, and the heart of the princes and the Priests shall be astonished, and the 1Prophets shall wonder. 10 Then said I, Ah, Lord God, surely thou hast 1deceived this people, and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace, and the sword pierceth unto the heart. 11 At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry 1wind in the high places of the wilderness cometh toward the daughter of my people, but neither 2to fan nor to cleanse.
throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, even to the Name of the Lord in Jerusalem: and thence forth they shall follow no more the hardness of their wicked heart. 18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the 1North, into the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers. 19 But I said, How did I take thee for children, and give thee a pleasant land, even the glorious heritage of the armies of the heathen, and say, Thou shalt call me, saying, My father, and shall not turn from me? 20 But as a woman rebelleth against her 1husband: so have ye rebelled against me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord. 21 1A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping, and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and forgotten the Lord their God. 22 O ye disobedient children, return and I will heal your rebellions. 1Behold, we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God. 23 Truly the hope of the hills is but vain, nor the multitude of mountains: but in the Lord our God is the health of Israel. 24 For confusion hath devoured our 1father's labor, from our youth, their sheep and their bullocks, their sons and their daughters. 25 We lie down in our confusion, and our shame covereth us: 1for we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers from our youth, even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God. 4 1 True repentance. 4 He exhorteth to the circumcision of the heart. 5 The destruction of Judah is prophesied for the malice of their hearts. 19 The Prophet lamenteth it.
1 O Israel, if thou return, 1return unto me, saith
3:18 1 Where they are now in captivity. 3:20 1 The Hebrew word signifieth a friend or companion, and here may be taken for a husband, as it is used also, Hos. 3:1. 3:21 1 Signifying, that God, whom they had forsaken, would bring their enemies unto them, who should lead them captive, and make them to cry and lament. 3:22 1 This is spoken in the person of Israel to the shame of Judah, which stayed so long to turn unto God. 3:24 1 For their idolatry God's vengeance hath light upon them and theirs. 3:25 1 They justify not themselves, or say that they would follow their fathers, but condemn their wicked doings and desire forgive ness of the same, as Ezra 9:7; Ps. 106:6; Isa. 64:6. 4:1 1 That is, wholly, and without hypocrisy, Joel 2:12, not dissem bling to turn and serve God as they do which serve him by halves, as Hos. 7:16. 4:2 1 Thou shalt detest the name of idols, Ps. 16:4, and shalt with reverence swear by the living God, when thine oath may advance God's glory, and profit others: and here, by swearing he meaneth the
true religion of God. 4:4 1 He willeth them to pluck up the impiety and wicked affection and worldly respects out of their heart, that the true seed of God's word may be sown therein, Hos. 10:12, and this is the true circumci sion of the heart, Deut. 10:16; Rom. 2:29; Col. 2:11. 4:5 1 He warneth them of the great dangers that shall come upon them by the Chaldeans, except, they repent and turn to the Lord. 4:6 1 He speaketh this to admonish them of the great danger when every man shall prepare to save himself, but it shall be too late, 2 Kings 25:4. 4:7 1 Meaning, Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, 2 Kings 24:1. 4:9 1 That is, the false prophets, which still prophesied peace and security. 4:10 1 By the false prophets which promised peace and tranquility: and thus thou hast punished their rebellious stubbornness by caus ing them to hearken unto lies which would not believe thy truth, 1 Kings 22:23; Ezek. 14:9; 2 Thess. 2:11. 4:11 1 The North wind whereby he meaneth Nebuchadnezzar. 2 But to carry away both corn, and chaff.
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12 A mighty wind shall come unto me from those places, and now will I also give sentence upon them. 13 Behold, he shall come up as the 1clouds, and his chariots shall be as a tempest: his horses are lighter than eagles. 2Woe unto us, for we are destroyed. 14 O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved: how long shall thy wicked thoughts remain within thee? 15 For a voice declareth from 1Dan, and publisheth affliction from mount 2Ephraim. 16 Make ye mention of the heathen, and publish in Jerusalem, Behold, the scouts come from a far country, and cry out against the cities of Judah. 17 They have compassed her about as the watchmen of the 1field, because it hath provoked me unto wrath, saith the Lord. 18 Thy ways and thine inventions have procured thee these things, such is thy wickedness: therefore it shall be bitter, therefore it shall pierce unto thine heart. 19 My belly, my 1belly, I am pained, even at the very heart: mine heart is troubled within me: I cannot be still: for my soul hath heard the sound of the trumpet, and the alarm of the battle. 20 Destruction upon destruction is cried, for the whole land is wasted: suddenly are my 1tents destroyed, and my curtains in a moment. 21 How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet? 22 For my people is foolish, they have not known me: they are foolish children, and have none understanding: 1they are wise to do evil, but to do well they have no knowledge. 23 I have looked upon the earth, and lo, it was without form and 1void: and to the heavens, and they had no light. 24 I beheld the mountains: and lo, they trembled, and all the hills shook. 25 I beheld, and lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heaven were departed.
26 I beheld, and lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by his fierce wrath. 27 For thus hath the Lord said, The whole land shall be desolate: yet will I 1not make a full end. 28 Therefore shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above shall be darkened, because I have pronounced it: I have thought it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it. 29 The whole city shall flee, for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen: they shall go into thickets, and climb up upon the rocks: every city shall be forsaken, and not a man dwell therein. 30 And when thou shalt be destroyed, what wilt thou do? Though thou 1clothest thyself with scarlet, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou paintest thy face with colors, yet shalt thou trim thyself in vain: for thy lovers will abhor thee and seek thy life. 31 For I have heard a noise as of a woman travailing, or as one laboring of her first child, even the voice of the daughter Zion that sigheth and stretcheth out her hands: 1woe is me now: for my soul fainteth because of the murderers. 5 1 In Judah no righteous man is found, neither among the people nor the rulers. 15 Wherefore Judah is destroyed of the Chaldeans.
1 Run to and fro by the streets of Jerusalem, and behold now, and know, and inquire in the open places thereof, if ye can find a man, or if there be any that executeth judgment, and seeketh the truth, and I will spare 1it. 2 For though they say, The 1Lord liveth, yet do they swear falsely. 3 O Lord, are not thine eyes upon the 1truth? thou hast 2stricken them, but they have not sorrowed: thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a stone, and have refused to return.
4:13 1 Meaning, that Nebuchadnezzar should come as suddenly, as a cloud that is carried with the wind. 2 This is spoken in the person of all the people, who in their afflic tion should cry thus. 4:15 1 Which was a city in the utmost border of Israel Northward toward Babylon. 2 Which was in the mid-way between Dan and Jerusalem. 4:17 1 Which keep the fruits so straightly, that nothing can come in nor out: so should the Babylonians compass Judah. 4:19 1 He showeth that the true ministers are lively touched with the calamities of the Church, so that all the parts of their body feel the grief of their heart, albeit with zeal to God's glory they pronounce his judgments against the people. 4:20 1 Meaning, the cities, which were as easily cast down as a tent. 4:22 1 Their wisdom and policy tend to their own destruction and pulleth them from God.
4:23 1 By these manner of speeches he showeth the horrible destruction that should come upon the land, and also condemneth the obstinacy of the people, who repent not at the fear of these terrible tidings, seeing that the insensible creatures are moved therewith, as if the order of nature should be changed, Isa. 13:10 and 24:23; Ezek. 32:7; Joel 2:31 and 3:15. 4:27 1 But for his mercy's sake, he will reserve himself a residue to be his Church, and to praise him in earth, Isa. 1:9. 4:30 1 Neither thy ceremonies nor rich gifts shall deliver thee. 4:31 1 As the Prophets were moved to pity the destruction of their people, so they declared it to the people to move them to repen tance, Isa. 22:4; Jer. 9:1. 5:1 1 That is, the city. 5:2 1 Though they pretend religion and holiness, yet all is but hypoc risy: for under this kind of swearing is contained the true religion. 5:3 1 Dost not thou love uprightness and faithful dealing? 2 Thou hast ofttimes punished them, but all is in vain, Isa. 9:13.
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are all very strong. 17 And they shall eat thine harvest and thy bread: they shall devour thy sons and thy daughters: they shall eat up thy sheep and thy bullocks: they shall eat thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall destroy with the sword thy fenced cities, wherein thou didst trust. 18 Nevertheless, at those days, saith the Lord, I will not make a full end of 1you. 19 And when bye shall say, Wherefore doth the Lord our God do these things unto us? then shalt 1thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours. 20 Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying, 21 Hear now this, O foolish people, and 1without understanding, which have ceyes and see not, which have ears and hear not. 22 Fear ye not me, saith the Lord? or will ye not be afraid at my presence, which have placed the sand for the dbounds of the sea by the perpetual decree that it cannot pass it, and though the waves thereof rage, yet can they not prevail, though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? 23 But this people hath an unfaithful and rebellious heart: they are departed and gone. 24 For they say not in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain both early and late in due season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. 25 Yet your 1iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have hindered good things from you. 26 For among my people are found wicked persons, that lay wait as he that setteth snares: they have made a pit, to catch men. 27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: thereby they are become great and waxen rich. 28 They are waxen fat and shining: they do overpass the deeds of the wicked: ethey execute no judgment, no not the judgment of the fatherless: yet they 1prosper, though they execute no judgment for the poor.
4 Therefore I said, Surely they are poor, they are foolish, for they know not the way of the Lord, nor the judgment of their God. 5 I will get me unto the 1great men, and will speak unto them: for they have known the way of the Lord, and the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds. 6 Wherefore a 1lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the wilderness shall destroy them: a leopard shall watch over their cities: everyone that goeth out thence, shall be torn in pieces, because their trespasses are many, and their rebellions are increased. 7 How should I spare thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and 1sworn by them that are no gods: though I fed them to the full, yet they committed adultery, and assembled themselves by companies in the harlot's houses. 8 They rose up in the morning like fed horses: for every man aneighed after his neighbor's wife. 9 Shall I not visit for these things, saith the Lord? shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? 10 1Climb up upon their walls, and destroy them, but make not a full end: 2take away their battlements, for they are not the Lord's. 11 For the house of Israel, and the house of Judah have grievously trespassed against me, saith the Lord. 12 They have 1denied the Lord, and said, It is not he, neither shall the plague come upon us, neither shall we see sword nor famine. 13 And the Prophets shall be as 1wind, and the word is 2not in them: thus shall it come unto them. 14 Wherefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Because ye speak such words, behold, I will put my words into 1thy mouth, like a fire, and this people shall be as wood, and it shall devour them. 15 Lo, I will bring a nation upon you 1from far, O house of Israel, saith the Lord, which is a mighty nation, and an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say. 16 Whose quiver is as an 1open sepulcher: they
chapter 5
a Ezek. 22:11
b Jer. 16:10
c Isa. 6:9 Matt. 13:14
Acts 28:27 Rom. 11:8
d Job 26:10
e Isa. 1:23
Ezek. 7:9
5:5 1 He speaketh this to the reproach of them which should govern and teach others, and yet are farther out of the way than the simple people. 5:6 1 Meaning, Nebuchadnezzar and his army. 5:7 1 He showeth that to swear by anything than by God, is to for sake him. 5:10 1 He commandeth the Babylonians and enemies to destroy them. 2 Read Jer. 4:27. 5:12 1 Because they gave no credit to the words of his Prophets, as Isa. 28:15. 5:13 1 Their words shall be of none effect, but vain.
2 They are not sent of the Lord, and therefore that which they threaten to us shall come upon them. 5:14 1 Meaning, Jeremiah. 5:15 1 To wit, the Babylonians and Chaldeans. 5:16 1 Who shall kill many with their arrows. 5:18 1 Here the Lord declareth his unspeakable favor toward his Church, as Jer. 4:27. 5:19 1 Meaning, the Prophet Jeremiah. 5:21 1 Hebrew, without heart. 5:25 1 If there be any stay, that we receive not God's blessings in abun dance, we must consider that it is for our own iniquities, Isa. 59:1, 2. 5:28 1 They feel not the plague of God for it.
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29 Shall I not visit for these things, saith the Lord? or shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? 30 An horrible and filthy thing is committed in the land. 31 The 1prophets prophesy lies, and the priests 2receive gifts in their hands, and my people delight therein. What will ye then do in the end thereof? 6 1 The coming of the Assyrians and Chaldeans. 16 He exhorteth the Jews to repentance.
10 Unto whom shall I speak, and admonish that they may hear? behold, their ears are 1uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the Lord is unto them as a reproach: they have no delight in it. 11 Therefore I am full of the wrath of the Lord: I am weary with holding it: 1I will pour it out upon the 2children in the street, and likewise upon the assembly of the young men: for the husband shall even be taken with the wife, and the aged with him that is full of days. 12 And their houses with their lands, and wives also shall be turned unto strangers: for I will stretch out mine hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the Lord. 13 For from the least of them, even unto the greatest of them, everyone is given unto covetousness, and from the Prophet even unto the Priest, they all deal falsely. 14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people with sweet words, saying, 1Peace, peace, when there is no peace. 15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not ashamed, no neither could they have any shame: therefore they shall fall among the 1slain: when I shall visit them, they shall be cast down, saith the Lord. 16 Thus saith the Lord, Stand in the ways and behold, and ask for the 1old way, which is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein. 17 Also I set 1watchmen over you, which said, Take heed to the sound of the trumpet: but they said, We will not take heed. 18 Hear therefore, ye 1Gentiles, and thou Congregation know, what is among them. 19 Hear, O earth, behold, I will cause a plague to come upon this people, even the fruit of their own imaginations: because they have not taken heed unto
1 O ye children of 1Benjamin, prepare to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in 2Tekoa: set up a standard upon 3Beth-Haccerem: for a plague appeareth out of the North and great destruction. 2 I have compared the daughter of Zion to 1a beautiful and dainty woman. 3 The Pastors with their flocks 1shall come unto her: they shall pitch their tents round about by her, and everyone shall feed in his place. 4 1Prepare war against her: arise, and let us go up toward the South: woe unto us: for the day declineth, and the shadows of the evening are stretched out. 5 Arise, and let us go up by night, and destroy her palaces. 6 For thus hath the Lord of hosts said, Hew down wood, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this city must be visited; all oppression is in the midst of it. 7 As the fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her malice; 1cruelty and spoil is continually heard in her before me, with sorrow and strokes. 8 Be thou instructed, O 1Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee, lest I make thee desolate as a land that none inhabiteth. 9 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, They shall gather as a vine, the residue of Israel: turn 1back thine hand as the grape gatherer into the baskets.
5:31 1 Meaning that there could be nothing but disorder, where the ministers were wicked persons and corrupt. 2 Or, [bearest]. 6:1 1 He speaketh to them chiefly because they should take heed by the example of their brethren, the other half of their tribe, which were now carried away prisoners. 2 Which was a city in Judah, six miles from Bethlehem, 2 Chron. 11:6. 3 Read Neh. 3:14. 6:2 1 I have entreated her gently, and given her abundance of all things. 6:3 1 She shall be so destroyed; that the sheep may be fed in her. 6:4 1 He speaketh this in the person of the Babylonians, which complain that the time faileth them before they have brought their enterprises to pass. 6:7 1 He showeth the cause why it should be destroyed, and how it cometh of themselves. 6:8 1 He warneth them to amend by his correction, and turn to him by repentance. 6:9 1 He exhorteth the Babylonians to be diligent to search out all
and to leave none. 6:10 1 They delight to hear vain things, and to shut up their ears to true doctrine. 6:11 1 As the Lord had given him his word to be as a fire of his indig nation to burn the wicked, Jer. 5:14, so he kindleth it now when he seeth that all remedies are past. 2 None shall be spared. 6:14 1 When the people began to fear God's judgments, the false prophets comforted them by flatterings, showing that God would send peace and not war. 6:15 1 Hebrew, them that fall. 6:16 1 Wherein the Patriarchs and Prophets walked, directed by the word of God: signifying that there is no true way, but that which God prescribeth. 6:17 1 Prophets which should warn you of the dangers that were at hand. 6:18 1 God taketh all the world to witness, and the insensible crea tures, of the ingratitude of the Jews.
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my words, nor to my Law, but cast it off. 20 To what purpose bringest thou me 1incense from Sheba, and sweet calamus from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not pleasant, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me. 21 Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will lay stumbling blocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them: the neighbor and his friend shall perish. 22 Thus saith the Lord, Behold, a people cometh from the 1North country, and a great nation shall arise from the sides of the earth. 23 With bow and shield shall they be weaponed: they are cruel and will have no compassion: their voice roareth like the sea, and they ride upon horses well appointed, like men of war against thee, O daughter Zion. 24 We have heard their fame, and our hands wax 1feeble: sorrow is come upon us, as the sorrow of a woman in travail. 25 Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way: for the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side. 26 O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in the ashes: make lamentation, and bitter mourning as for thine only son: for the destroyer shall suddenly come upon us. 27 I have set 1thee for a defense and fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their ways. 28 They are all rebellious traitors, walking craftily; they are brass and iron, they all are destroyers, 29 The 1bellows are burnt; the lead is consumed in the fire; the founder melteth in vain; for the wicked are not taken away. 30 They shall call them reprobate silver, because the Lord hath rejected them. 7 2 Jeremiah is commanded to show unto the people the words of God, which trusteth in the outward service of the Temple. 13 The evils that shall come to the Jews, for the despising of their Prophets. 21 Sacrifices doth not the Lord chiefly require of the Jews, but that they should obey his word.
1 The words that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2 Stand in the gate of the Lord's house, and cry this word there, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all ye of Judah that enter in at these gates to worship the Lord. 3 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, aAmend your ways and your works, and I will let you dwell in this place. 4 Trust not in 1lying words, saying, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord; this is the Temple of the Lord. 5 For if you amend and redress your ways and your works; if you execute judgment between a man and neighbor, 6 And oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed no innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your destruction, 7 Then 1will I let you dwell in this place in the land that I gave unto your fathers forever and ever. 8 Behold, you trust in lying words, that cannot profit. 9 Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not? 10 And come and stand before me in this House, whereupon my Name is called, and say, We are delivered, though we have done all these abominations? 11 Is this House become 1a den of thieves, whereupon my Name is called before your eyes? Behold, even I see it, saith the Lord. 12 But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, 1where I set my Name at the beginning, and behold, what I did to it for the wickedness, of my people Israel. 13 Therefore now because ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, (and I 1rose up early and spake unto you: but when I spake, ye would not hear me, neither when I called, would 2ye answer.) 14 Therefore will I do unto this house, whereupon my Name is called, wherein also ye trust, even unto
chapter 7
a Jer. 26:13
6:20 1 Read Isa. 1:11 and Amos 5:21. 6:22 1 From Babylon by Dan, which was North from Jerusalem. 6:24 1 For fear of the enemy: he speaketh this in the person of the Jews. 6:27 1 Meaning, Jeremiah, whom God had appointed to try out the godly from the wicked, as a founder doth the pure metal from the dross. 6:29 1 All the pain and labor that hath been taken with them, is lost. 7:4 1 Believe not the false prophets, which say that for the Temple's sake, and the sacrifices there, the Lord will preserve you, and so nour ish you in your sin, and vain confidence. 7:7 1 God showeth on what condition he made his promise to this Temple: that they should be an holy people unto him, as he would
be a faithful God to them. 7:11 1 As thieves hid in holes and dens think themselves safe, so when you are in my Temple, you think to be covered with the holi ness thereof, and that I cannot see your wickedness, Matt. 21:13. 7:12 1 Because they depended so much on the Temple, which was for his promise, that he would be present and defend them where the Ark was, he sendeth them to God's judgments against Shiloh, where the Ark had remained about 300 years, and after was taken, the Priests slain, and the people miserably discomfited, 1 Sam. 4:11; Jer. 26:6. 7:13 1 That is, I never ceased to warn you, as Isa. 65:2; Prov. 1:23. 2 He showeth what is the only remedy to redress our faults: to suf fer God to lead us into the way, and to obey his calling, Isa. 66:4.
751 Jeremiah 8:2
the place that I gave to you, and to your fathers, as I have done unto Shiloh. 15 And I will cast 1you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim. 16 Therefore thou shalt not 1pray for this people, neither lift up cry or prayer for them, neither entreat me, for I will not hear thee. 17 Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem? 18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women kneed the dough to make cakes to 1the Queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me unto anger. 19 Do they provoke me to anger, saith the Lord, and not themselves to the confusion of their own faces? 20 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, mine anger and my wrath shall be poured upon this place; upon man and upon beast, and upon the tree of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground, and it shall burn and not be quenched. 21 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat the flesh. 22 For 1I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. 23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways which I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. 24 But they would not obey, nor incline their ear, but went after the counsels, and the stubbornness of their wicked heart, and went backward and not forward. 25 Since the day that your fathers came up out of the land of Egypt, unto 1this day, I have even sent unto you all my servants the Prophets, 2rising up early every day, and sending them. 26 Yet would they not hear me, nor incline their ear, but hardened their neck, and did worse than
their fathers. 27 Therefore shalt thou speak all these words unto them, but they 1will not hear thee: thou shalt also cry unto them, but they will not answer thee. 28 But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that heareth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth discipline: truth is perished, and is clean gone out of their mouth. 29 Cut off thine 1hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a complaint on the high places: for the Lord hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his 2wrath. 30 For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the Lord: they have set their abominations in the house, whereupon my Name is called to pollute it. 31 And they have built the high place of 1Tophet, which is in the valley of Ben-Hinnom to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I 2commanded them not, neither came it in mine heart. 32 Therefore behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of Ben-Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet till there be no place. 33 And the carcasses of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth, and none shall fray them away. 34 bThen I will cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate. 8 1 The destruction of the Jews. 4 The Lord moveth the people to amendment. 10 He reprehendeth the lying doctrine and the covetousness of the Prophets and Priests.
b Ezek. 26:13
1 At that time, saith the Lord, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of their Princes, and the bones of the Priests, and the bones of the Prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem out of their 1graves. 2 And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they
7:15 1 I will send you into captivity as I have done Ephraim, that is, the ten tribes. 7:16 1 To assure them that God had determined with himself to punish their wickedness, he showeth that the prayer of the godly can nothing avail them, whiles they remain in their obstinacy against God, and will not use the means that he useth to call them to repen tance, Jer. 11:14 and 14:11. 7:18 1 That is, they sacrifice to the Sun, Moon and Stars, which they called the queen of heaven, Jer. 44:17; 2 Kings 23:5. 7:22 1 Showing that it was not his chief purpose and intent, that they should offer sacrifices: but that they should regard, wherefore they were ordained: to wit, to be joined to the word as seals and confirmations of remissions of sins in Christ: for without the word
they were vain and unprofitable. 7:25 1 Which was about fourteen hundred years. 2 Read verse 13. 7:27 1 Whereby he showeth that the pastors ought not to leave their flocks in their obstinacy, for the Lord will use the means of his ser vants to make the wicked more faulty and to prove his. 7:29 1 In sign of mourning, as Job 1:20. 2 Against whom he had just occasion to pour out his wrath, Mic. 1:6. 7:31 1 Of Tophet, read 2 Kings 23:10. 2 But commanded the contrary, as Lev. 18:21 and 20:3; Deut. 18:10. 8:1 1 The enemy for greediness of gain shall rifle your graves, and lay you before those idols, which in your life you worshipped, to see if they can help you.
Jeremiah 8:3 752
among the slain: when I shall visit them, they shall be cast down, saith the Lord. 13 I will surely consume them, saith the Lord: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade, and the things that I have given them shall depart from them. 14 Why do we stay? 1assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the strong cities, and let us be quiet there: for the Lord our God hath put us to silence, and given us water with 2gall to drink, because we have sinned against the Lord. 15 bWe looked for peace, but no good came, and for a time of health, and behold troubles. 16 The neighing of his horses was heard from 1Dan, the whole land trembled at the noise of the neighing of his strong horses: for they are come, and have devoured the land with all that is in it, the city, and those that dwell therein. 17 For behold, I will 1send serpents, and cockatrices among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall sting you, saith the Lord. 18 I would have 1comforted myself against sorrow, but mine heart is heavy in me. 19 Behold, the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people for fear of them of a far country, Is not the Lord in Zion? is not her king in her? Why 1have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with the vanities of a strange god? 20 The 1harvest is past, the Summer is ended, and we are not holpen. 21 I am 1sore vexed for the hurt of the daughter of my people, I am heavy, and astonishment hath taken me. 22 Is there no balm 1at Gilead? is there no Physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? 9 1 The complaint of the Prophet for the malice of the people. 24 In the knowledge of God ought we only to rejoice. 26 The uncircumcision of the heart.
have loved, and whom they have served, and whom they have followed, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered nor be buried, but shall be as dung upon the earth. 3 And death shall be desired 1rather than life of all the residue that remaineth of this wicked family, which remain in all the places where I have scattered them, saith the Lord of hosts. 4 Thou shalt say unto them also, Thus saith the Lord, Shall they 1fall, and not arise? shall he turn away and not turn again? 5 Wherefore is this people of Jerusalem turned back by a perpetual rebellion? they gave themselves to deceit, and would not return. 6 I hearkened and heard, but none spake aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? 1everyone turned to their race, as the horse rusheth into the battle. 7 Even the stork in the air knoweth her appointed times, and the turtle, and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming, but my people knoweth not the 1judgment of the Lord. 8 How do ye say, We are wise, and the Law of the Lord is with us? Lo, 1certainly in vain made he it, the pen of the scribes is in vain. 9 The 1wise men are ashamed: they are afraid and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord, and what wisdom is in them? 10 Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall possess them: afor everyone from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, and from the Prophet even unto the Priest, everyone dealeth falsely. 11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people with sweet words, saying, 1Peace, peace, when there is no peace. 12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not ashamed, neither could they have any shame: therefore shall they fall
chapter 8
a Isa. 56:11
Jer. 5:31 Jer. 6:13
b Jer. 14:19
8:3 1 Because of the afflictions that they shall feel through God's judgments. 8:4 1 Is there no hope that they will return? 8:6 1 They are full of hypocrisy, and everyone followeth his own fan tasy without any consideration. 8:7 1 He accuseth them in that that they are more ignorant of God's judgments, than these birds are of their appointed seasons to discern the cold and heat, as Isa. 1:3. 8:8 1 The Law doth not profit you, neither need it to have been writ ten for ought that you have learned by it. 8:9 1 They that seem wise, may be ashamed of their ignorance, for all wisdom consisteth in God's word. 8:11 1 Read Jer. 6:14. 8:14 1 He speaketh in the person of the people, who when the enemy cometh, will turn about to hide themselves, and acknowl edge that it is God's hand.
2 That is, hath brought us into extreme affliction, and thus they shall not attribute this plague to fortune, but to God's just judgment, Jer. 9:15 and 23:15. 8:16 1 Read Jer. 4:15. 8:17 1 God threateneth to send the Babylonians among them, who shall utterly destroy them in such sort, as by no means they shall escape. 8:18 1 Read Jer. 4:19. 8:19 1 Thus the Lord speaketh. 8:20 1 The people wonder that they have so long time looked for succor in vain. 8:21 1 The Prophet speaketh this. 8:22 1 Meaning, that no man's help or means could save them: for in Gilead was precious balm, Jer. 46:11, or else deriding the vain confi dence of the people, who looked for help at their Priests, who should have been the Physicians of their souls, and dwelt at Gilead, Hos. 6:8.
753 Jeremiah 9:23
1 Oh, that mine head were full of 1water, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people. 2 Oh, that I had in the wilderness a 1cottage of wayfaring men, that I might leave my people, and go from them: for they be all 2adulterers, and an assembly of rebels. 3 And they bend their tongues like their bows for 1lies: but they have no courage for the truth upon the earth, for they proceed from evil to worse, and they have not known me, saith the Lord. 4 Let everyone take heed of his neighbor, and trust you not in any 1brother: for every brother will use deceit, and every friend will deal deceitfully, 5 And everyone will deceive his friend, and will not speak the truth: for they 1have taught their tongue to speak lies, and take great pains to do wickedly. 6 Thine habitation is in the midst of deceivers: 1because of their deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord. 7 Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will 1melt them, and try them: for what should I else do for the daughter of my people? 8 Their tongue ais as an arrow shot out, and speak eth deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he layeth wait for him. 9 Shall I not visit them for these things, saith the Lord? or shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? 10 Upon the 1mountains will I take up a weeping and a lamentation, and upon the fair places of the wilderness a mourning, because they are burnt up, so that none can pass through them, neither can men hear the voice of the flock: both the fowl of the air, and the beast are fled away and gone. 11 And I will make Jerusalem an heap, and a den of dragons, and I will make the cities of Judah waste without an inhabitant. 12 Who is 1wise to understand this? and to whom
the mouth of the Lord hath spoken, even he shall declare it. Why doth the land perish, and is burnt up like a wilderness, that none passeth through? 13 And the Lord saith, because they have forsaken my Law, which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked thereafter, 14 But have walked after the stubbornness of their own heart, and after Baal, which 1their fathers taught them. 15 Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I will feed this people with wormwood, and give them waters of gall 1to drink: 16 I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them. 17 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Take heed, and call for 1the mourning women, that they may come, and send for skillful women, that they may come, 18 And let them make haste, and let them take up a lamentation for us, that our eyes may cast out tears, and our eyelids gush out of water. 19 For a lamentable noise is heard out of Zion, How are we destroyed, and utterly confounded, for we have forsaken the land, and our dwellings 1have cast us out. 20 Therefore hear the word of the Lord, O ye women, and let your ears regard the words of his mouth, and 1teach your daughters to mourn, and everyone her neighbor to lament. 21 For death is come up into our 1windows, and is entered into our palaces, to destroy the children without, and the young men in the streets. 22 Speak, Thus saith the Lord, The carcasses of men shall lie, even as the dung upon the field, and as the handful after the mower, and none shall gather them. 23 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the 1wise man glory in his wisdom, nor the strong man glory in his strength, neither the rich man glory in his riches.
chapter 9
a Ps. 28:3
Ps. 120:4
9:1 1 The Prophet showeth the great compassion that he had toward this people, seeing that he could never sufficiently lament the destruction that he saw to hang over them, which is a special note to discern the true pastors from the hirelings, read Jer. 4:19. 9:2 1 He showeth that this were more quietness and greater safety for him to dwell among the wild beasts than among this wicked people, save that God hath enjoined him this charge. 2 Utterly turned from God. 9:3 1 To belie and slander their neighbors. 9:4 1 Meaning, that all were corrupt, and none could find an honest man. 9:5 1 They have so practiced deceit, that they cannot forsake it. 9:6 1 They had rather forsake God, than leave their wicked trade. 9:7 1 With the fire of affliction. 9:10 1 Signifying, that all the places about Jerusalem should be destroyed. 9:12 1 Meaning, that they are all without sense and understanding, and that God hath taken his spirit from them.
9:14 1 He showeth that the children cannot excuse themselves by their fathers: for both father and child if they be wicked shall perish. 9:15 1 Read Jer. 8:14. 9:17 1 Seeing you cannot lament your own sins, call for those foolish women, whom of a superstition you have to lament for the dead, that they by their feigned tears may provoke you to some sorrow. 9:19 1 As though they were weary of us, because of our iniquities, Lev. 18:28 and 20:22. 9:20 1 He derideth the superstition of the women which made an art of mourning, and taught to weep with feigned tears. 9:21 1 Signifying, that there is no means to deliver the wicked from God's judgments: but when they think to be most sure, and most far off, then they are soonest taken. 9:23 1 Forasmuch as none can save himself by his own labor, or any worldly means, he showeth that it is vain to put our trust therein, but that we trust in the Lord, and rejoice in him, who only can deliver us, 1 Cor. 1:31; 2 Cor. 10:17.
Jeremiah 9:24 754
24 But let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me: for I am the Lord, which 1show mercy, judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. 25 Behold, the days come saith the Lord, that I will visit all them which are 1circumcised with the uncircumcised: 26 Egypt and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all the utmost corners of them that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart. 10 The constellations of the stars are not to be feared. 5 The weakness of idols. 6 Of the power of God. 21 Their Pastors are become brute beasts.
to thee appertaineth the dominion: for among all the wise men of the Gentiles, and in all their kingdoms there is none like thee. 8 But altogether they dote, and are foolish: for the stock is a 1doctrine of vanity. 9 Silver plates are brought from Tarshish, and gold 1from Uphaz, for the work of the workman, and the hands of the founder: the blue silk, and the purple is their clothing: all these things are made by cunning men. 10 But the Lord is the God of truth: he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his anger the earth shall tremble, and the nations cannot abide his wrath. 11 (Thus shall you say unto them, The gods 1that have not made the heavens and the earth, shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.) 12 He hath made the earth by his power, and established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his discretion. 13 He giveth by his voice the multitude of waters in the heaven, and he causeth the clouds to ascend from the ends of the earth: he turneth lightnings to rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. 14 Every man is a 1beast by his own knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his melting is but falsehood, and there is no breath therein. 15 They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. 16 The 1portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the maker of all things, and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the Lord of hosts is his Name.
1 Hear ye the word of the Lord that he speaketh unto you, O house of Israel. 2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not afraid for the 1signs of heaven, though the heathen be afraid of such. 3 For the 1customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest (which is the work of the hands of the carpenter) with the axe, 4 And another decketh it 1with silver, and with gold: they fasten it with nails and hammers that it fall not. 5 The idols stand up as the palm tree, but speak not: they are borne because they cannot go: fear them not, for they cannot do evil, neither can they do good. 6 There is none like unto thee, O Lord: 1thou art great, and thy Name is great in power. 7 Who would not fear thee, O king of nations? for
9:24 1 These three points are necessary to know aright: his mercy, wherein consisteth our salvation, his judgment, which he executeth continually against the wicked, and his justice, whereby he defend eth and maintaineth the faithful. 9:25 1 Meaning, both Jews and Gentiles, as in this next verse he showeth the cause, read Jer. 4:4. 10:2 1 God forbiddeth his people to give credit or fear the constel lations and conjunctions of stars and planets which have no power of themselves, but are governed by him, and their secret motions and influences are not known to man and therefore there can be no certain judgment thereof, Deut. 18:9. 10:3 1 Meaning, not only in the observation of the stars, but their laws and ceremonies whereby they confirm their idolatry, which is forbidden, Deut. 12:30. 10:4 1 The Prophets use thus plainly and simply to set forth the vile absurdity of the idolaters, that men might learn to be ashamed of that whereunto their corrupt nature is most subject, read Isa. 44:12. 10:6 1 He teacheth the people to lift up their eyes to God, who hath all power and therefore ought only to be feared: and herein he showeth them not only the evil that they ought to eschew: but the good which they ought to follow, Rev. 15:4. 10:8 1 Because the people thought that to have images, was a
means to serve God, and to bring them to the knowledge of him, he showeth that nothing more displeaseth God, nor bringeth man into greater errors and ignorance of God: and therefore he calleth them the doctrine of vanity, the work of errors, verse 15, and Hab. 2:18 call eth them the teachers of lies: contrary to that wicked opinion, that they are the books of the lay people. 10:9 1 Whereas they found the best gold: showing, that they thought nothing too dear for their idols, some read Ophir, as 1 Kings 9:28. 10:11 1 This declareth that all that hath been in this chapter spoken of idols, was to arm the Jews when they should be in Chaldea among the idolaters, and now with one sentence he instructeth them both how to protect their own religion against the idolaters, and how to answer them to their shame which should exhort them to idolatry, and therefore he writeth this sentence in the Chaldean's tongue for a memorial, whereas all the rest of his writing is Hebrew. 10:14 1 The more that man thinketh to do anything well by his own wisdom, and not as God instructeth him, the more doth he prove himself to be a vile beast. 10:16 1 By these words Portion and Rod, he signifieth their inheritance, meaning, that God should be all sufficient for them: and that their felic ity consisted in him alone, and therefore they ought to renounce all other helps and succors as of idols, etc. Deut. 32:9; Ps. 16:5.
755 Jeremiah 11:11
17 ¶ 1Gather up thy wares out of the land, O thou that dwellest in the strong place. 18 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, at this time I will throw as with a sling the inhabitants of the land, and will trouble them, and they shall find it so. 19 Woe is me for my destruction, and my grievous plague: but I thought, Yet it 1is my sorrow, and I will bear it. 20 1My Tabernacle is destroyed, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone from me, and are not: there is none to spread out my tent anymore, and to set up my curtains. 21 For the Pastors 1are become beasts, and have not sought the Lord: therefore have they none understanding: and all the flocks of their pastures are scattered. 22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the 1North country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons. 23 O Lord, I know that 1the way of man is not in himself, neither is it in man to walk and to direct his steps. 24 O Lord, correct me, but with 1judgment, not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. 25 Pour out 1thy wrath upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy Name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate. 11 3 A curse of them that obey not the word of God's covenant. 10 The people of Judah following the steps of their fathers, worship strange gods. 15 The Lord forbiddeth Jeremiah to pray for them.
unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, 3 And say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, 1Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant, 4 Which I commanded unto your fathers, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do according to all these things which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God, 5 That I may confirm the oath, that I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land, which floweth with milk and honey, as appeareth this day. Then answered 1I, and said, So be it, O Lord. 6 Then the Lord said unto me, Cry all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them. 7 For I have protested unto your fathers, when I brought them up out of the land of Egypt unto this day, 1rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice. 8 Nevertheless they would not obey, nor incline their ear: but everyone walked in the stubbornness of his 1wicked heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the 2words of this covenant which I commanded them to do, but they did it not. 9 And the Lord said unto me, A 1conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 10 They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words: and they went after other gods to serve them: thus the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant, which I made with their fathers. 11 Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring a plague upon them, which they shall not be able to escape, and though they cry unto me, 1I will
1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2 Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak
10:17 1 The Prophet willeth the Jews to prepare themselves to this captivity, showing that it was now at hand that they should feel the things whereof he had told them. 10:19 1 It is my just plague, and therefore I will take it patiently: whereby he teacheth the people how to behave themselves toward God. 10:20 1 He showeth how Jerusalem shall lament. 10:21 1 The governors and ministers. 10:22 1 Read Jer. 4:15. 10:23 1 He speaketh this because that Nebuchadnezzar purposed to have made war against the Moabites and Ammonites, but hear ing of Zedekiah's rebellion, he turned his power to go against Jeru salem, Ezek. 21:21, therefore the Prophet saith, that this was the Lord's direction. 10:24 1 Considering that God had revealed unto him the certitude of their captivity, Jer. 7:16, he only prayeth, that he would punish them with mercy, which Isaiah calleth in measure, Isa. 27:8, measur ing his rods by their infirmity, 1 Cor. 10:13, for here by judgment is meant not only the punishment, but also the merciful moderation of the same, as Jer. 30:11.
10:25 1 Forasmuch as God cannot only be known and glorified by his mercy, that he useth toward his Church, but also by his justice in punishing his enemies, he prayeth that this glory may fully appear both in the one and the other, Ps. 79:6. 11:3 1 He calleth the Jews to the consideration of God's mercy, who freely chose them, made a covenant of eternal felicity with them, and how he ever performed it on his behalf, and how they ever showed themselves rebellious and ingrate toward him, and brake it on their part, and so are subject to the curse of the Law, Deut. 27:26. 11:5 1 Thus he speaketh in the person of the people, which agreed to the covenant. 11:7 1 Read Jer. 7:13. 11:8 1 According to his own fantasy, and not as my word appointed him. 2 Meaning, the menaces and curses contained in the Law, Lev. 26:14; Deut. 28:16. 11:9 1 That is, a general consent to rebel against me. 11:11 1 Because they will not pray with true faith and repentance, but for the smart and grief which they feel, Prov. 1:28.
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not hear them. 12 Then shall the cities of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense, but they shall not be able to help them in time of their trouble. 13 1For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah, and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars of confusion, even altars to burn incense unto Baal. 14 Therefore thou shalt not 1pray for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for when they cry unto me in their trouble, I will not hear them. 15 What should my 1beloved tarry in mine house, seeing they have committed abomination with many, and the holy flesh 2goeth away from thee: yet when thou doest evil, thou rejoicest. 16 The Lord called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: but with 1noise and great tumult he hath set fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken. 17 For the Lord of hosts that planted thee, hath pronounced a plague against thee, for the wickedness of the house of Israel, and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal, 18 And the Lord hath taught me, and I know it, even then thou showedst me 1their practices. 19 But I was like a lamb, or a bullock, that is brought to the slaughter, and I knew not that they had devised thus against me, saying, Let us 1destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and cut him out of the land of the living, that his name may be no more in memory, 20 But O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, and triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy 1vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened
my cause. 21 The Lord therefore speaketh thus of the men of 1Anathoth, (that seek thy life, and say, 2Prophesy not in the name of the Lord, that thou die not by our hands.) 22 Thus therefore saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will visit them: the young men shall die by the sword: their sons and their daughters shall die by famine, 23 And none of them shall remain: for I will bring a plague upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation. 12 1 The Prophet marvelleth at the prosperity of the wicked, although he confess God to be righteous. 7 The Jews are forsaken of the Lord. 10 He speaketh against pastors and preachers, that seduce the people. 14 The Lord threateneth destruction unto the nations that troubled Judah.
1 O Lord, if I dispute with thee, thou art 1righteous: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: wherefore doth the way of the wicked 2prosper? why are all they in wealth that rebelliously transgress? 2 Thou hast planted them, and they have taken root: they grow, and bring forth fruit, thou art near in their mouth, and far from their 1reins. 3 But thou, Lord, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and 1prepare them for the day of slaughter. 4 How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds, because they said, 1He will not see our last end. 5 If thou hast run with the 1footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou match thyself with horses? and if thou thoughtest thyself safe in
11:13 1 Read Jer. 2:28. 11:14 1 Read Jer. 7:16 and 14:11. 11:15 1 My people of Israel, whom I have hitherto so greatly loved. 2 Meaning, that they offer not in the Temple to God, but on the altars of Baal and the idols, and so rejoiced in their wickedness. 11:16 1 Of the Babylonians and Chaldeans. 11:18 1 Which went about privily to conspire my death. 11:19 1 Let us destroy the Prophet and his doctrine. Some read, Let us corrupt his meat with wood, meaning, poison. 11:20 1 Thus he spake, not for hatred, but being moved with the Spirit of God, he desireth the advancement of God's glory, and the verifying of his word, which is by the destruction of his enemies. 11:21 1 To wit, both the Priests and the rest of the people: for this town was the Priests, and they dwelt in it, read Jer. 1:1. 2 Not that they could not abide to hear God named: (for herein they would show themselves most holy) but because they could not abide to be sharply reproved, and therefore desired to be flattered, Isa. 30:10, and to be maintained in their pleasures, Mic. 2:11, and not to hear vice condemned, Amos 7:12. 12:1 1 The Prophet confesseth God to be just in all his doings, although man be not able to give a reason of all his acts.
2 This question hath been always a great tentation to the godly, to see the wicked enemies of God in prosperity, and his dear children in adversity, as Job 21:7; Ps. 37:1 and 73:3; Hab. 1:3. 12:2 1 They profess God in mouth, but deny him in heart, which is here meant by the reins, Isa. 29:13; Matt. 15:8. 12:3 1 The Hebrew word is, Sanctify them, meaning, that God would be sanctified in the destruction of the wicked, to whom God for a while giveth prosperity, that afterward they should the more feel his heavy judgment when they lack their riches which were a sign of his mercy. 12:4 1 Abusing God's lenity and his promises, they flattered them selves as though God would ever be merciful, and not utterly destroy them: therefore they hardened themselves in sin, till at length the beasts and insensible creatures felt the punishment of their stubborn rebellion against God. 12:5 1 Some think that God reproveth Jeremiah, in that that he would reason with him, saying, that if he were not able to march with men, that he were far unable to dispute with God. Others, by the footmen, mean them of Anathoth: and by the horsemen, them of Jerusalem, which should trouble the Prophet worse than his own countrymen did.
757 Jeremiah 13:11
a peaceable land, what wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? 6 For even thy brethren and the house of thy father, even they have dealt unfaithfully with thee, and they have cried out altogether upon thee: but believe them not, though they speak fair to thee. 7 I have forsaken 1mine house: I have left mine heritage: I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hands of her enemies. 8 Mine heritage is unto me, as a 1lion in the forest: it crieth out against me, therefore have I hated it. 9 Shall mine heritage be unto me, as a bird 1of divers colors? are not the birds about her, saying, Come, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to eat her? 10 Many pastors have destroyed my 1vineyard, and trodden my portion under foot: of my pleasant portion they have made a desolate wilderness. 11 They have laid it waste, and it, being waste mourneth unto me, and the whole land lieth waste, because no man setteth his mind on 1it. 12 The destroyers are come upon all the high places in the wilderness: for the sword of the Lord shall devour from the one end of the land, even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace. 13 1They have sown wheat, and reaped thorns: they were 2sick, and had no profit: and they were ashamed of 3your fruits, because of the fierce wrath of the Lord. 14 Thus saith the Lord against all mine evil 1neighbors, that touch the inheritance, which I have caused my people Israel to inherit, Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them. 15 And after that I have plucked them out, I 1will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring again every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. 16 And if they will learn the 1ways of my people, to swear by my Name, (The 2Lord liveth, as they taught my people to swear by Baal) then shall they
be built 3in the midst of my people. 17 But if they will not obey, then will I utterly pluck up, and destroy that nation, saith the Lord. 13 The destruction of the Jews is prefigured. 11 Why Israel was received to be the people of God, and why they were forsaken. 15 He exhorteth them to repentance.
1 Thus saith the Lord unto me, Go, and buy thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water. 2 So I bought the girdle according to the commandment of the Lord, and put it upon my loins. 3 And the word of the Lord came unto me the second time, saying, 4 Take the girdle that thou hast bought, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go toward 1Perath, and hide it there in the cleft of the rock. 5 So I went, and hid it by Perath, as the Lord had commanded me. 6 And after many days the Lord said unto me, Arise, go toward Perath, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there. 7 Then went I to Perath, and dug, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it, and behold, the girdle was corrupt, and was profitable for nothing. 8 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 9 Thus saith the Lord, After this manner will I destroy the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem. 10 This wicked people have refused to hear my word, and walk after the stubbornness of their own heart, and walk after other gods to serve them, and to worship them: therefore they shall be as this girdle, which is profitable to nothing. 11 For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I tied to me the whole house of Israel, and the whole house of Judah, saith the Lord, that they might be my people: that they might have a name, and praise, and glory, but they would not hear.
12:7 1 God willeth the Prophet to denounce his judgments against Jerusalem, notwithstanding that they shall both by threatenings and flatteries, labor to put him to silence. 12:8 1 Ever ramping and raging against me and my Prophets. 12:9 1 Instead of bearing my livery, and wearing only my colors, they have change and diversity of colors of their idols and superstitions, therefore their enemies as thick as the fowls of the air shall come about them to destroy them. 12:10 1 He prophecieth of the destruction of Jerusalem, by the cap tains of Nebuchadnezzar, whom he calleth pastors. 12:11 1 Because no man regardeth my word, or the plagues that I have sent upon the land. 12:13 1 To wit, the Prophets. 2 They lamented the sins of the people. 3 For instead of amendment, you grew worse and worse, as God's
plagues testified. 12:14 1 Meaning, the wicked enemies of his Church, which blas phemed his Name, and whom he would punish after that he hath delivered his people. 12:15 1 After that I have punished the Gentiles, I will have mercy upon them. 12:16 1 The true doctrine and manner to serve God. 2 Read Jer. 4:2. 3 They shall be of the number of the faithful, and have a place in my Church. 13:4 1 Because this river Perath or Euphrates was far from Jerusalem, it is evident that this was a vision, whereby was signified that the Jews should pass over Euphrates to be captives in Babylon, and there for length of time should seem to be rotten, although they were joined to the Lord before as a girdle about a man.
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12 Therefore thou shalt say unto them this word, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Every 1bottle shall be filled with wine, and they shall say unto thee, do we not know that every bottle shall be filled with wine? 13 Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon the throne of David, and the Priests and the Prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with drunkenness. 14 And I will 1dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the Lord: I will not spare, I will not pity, nor have compassion, but destroy them. 15 Hear and give ear, be not proud: for the Lord hath spoken it. 16 Give glory to the Lord your God before he bring 1darkness, and or ever your feet stumble in the dark mountains, and while you look for 2light, he turn it into the shadow of death and make it as darkness. 17 But if ye will not hear this, my soul shall 1weep in secret for your pride, and mine eye shall weep and drop down tears, because the Lord's flock is carried away captive. 18 Say unto the 1King and to the Queen: Humble yourselves, sit down, for the crown of your glory shall come down from your heads. 19 The cities of 1the South shall be shut up, and no man shall open them: all Judah shall be carried away captive: it shall be wholly carried away captive: 20 Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the North: where is the 1flock that was given thee, even thy beautiful flock? 21 What wilt thou say when he shall visit thee? (for thou hast 1taught them to be captains and as chief over thee) shall not sorrow take thee as a woman in travail? 22 And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the multitude of thine iniquities are thy skirts 1discovered and thy heels made bare.
23 Can the black Moor change his skin? or the leopard his spots, then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil? 24 Therefore will I scatter them, as the stubble that is taken away with the South wind. 25 This is thy portion, and the part of thy measures from me, saith the Lord, because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in lies. 26 Therefore I have also discovered thy skirts upon thy face, 1that thy shame may appear. 27 I have seen thine adulteries, and thy 1neighings, the filthiness of thy whoredom on the hills in 2the fields, and thine abominations. [Woe] unto thee, O Jerusalem: wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be? 14 1 Of the death that should come. 7 The prayer of the people asking mercy of the Lord. 10 The unfaithful people are not heard. 12 Of prayer, fasting, and of false prophets that seduce the people.
1 The word of the Lord that came unto Jeremiah, concerning the 1,2dearth. 2 Judah hath mourned, and the gates thereof are desolate, they have been 1brought to heaviness unto the ground, and the cry of Jerusalem goeth up. 3 And their nobles have sent their inferiors to the water, who came to the wells, and found no water: they returned with their vessels empty: they were ashamed and confounded: and 1covered their heads. 4 For the ground was destroyed, because there was no rain in the earth: the plowmen were ashamed, and covered their heads. 5 Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook 1it, because there was no grass. 6 And the wild asses did stand in the high places, and drew in their wind like 1dragons: their eyes did fail, because there was no grass. 7 1O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, deal with us according to thy Name: for our
13:12 1 Every one of you shall be filled with spiritual drunkenness, and be without all knowledge to seek how to help yourselves. 13:14 1 It shall be as easy for me to destroy the greatest and the strongest, as it is for a man to break earthen bottles. 13:16 1 That is, affliction and misery by the Babylonians, Isa. 8:22. 2 Meaning, for help and support of the Egyptians. 13:17 1 You shall surely be led away captive, and I, according to mine affection towards you, shall weep and lament for your stub bornness. 13:18 1 For Jehoiachin and his mother rendered themselves by Jeremiah's counsel to the king of Babylon, 2 Kings 24:12. 13:19 1 That is, of Judah, which lieth Southward from Babylon. 13:20 1 He asketh the king, where his people is become. 13:21 1 By seeking to strangers for help, thou hast made them skill ful to fight against thee. 13:22 1 The cloak of hypocrisy shall be pulled off, and thy shame seen. 13:26 1 As thine iniquities have been manifest to all the world, so
shall thy shame and punishment. 13:27 1 He compareth idolaters to horses inflamed after mares. 2 There is no place so high nor low, whereas the marks and signs of thine idolatry appear not. 14:1 1 Which came for lack of rain, as verse 4. 2 Or, restraint. 14:2 1 The word signifieth to be made black, and so is here taken for extreme sorrow. 14:3 1 To wit, with ashes in token of sorrow. 14:5 1 Meaning, that the brute beasts for drought were compelled to forsake their young, contrary to nature, and to go seek water which they could not find. 14:6 1 Which are so hot of nature, that they cannot be cooled with drinking of water, but still gape for the air to resisteth them. 14:7 1 He showeth the only way to remedy to God's plagues, which is by unfeigned confession of our sins, and returning to him by repentance.