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NASB | Isaiah 48:12 ¶ "Listen to Me, O Jacob, even Israel whom I called; I am He, I am the first, I am also the last. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Isaiah 48:12 ¶ "Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called; I am He, I am the First, I am the Last. [Is 41:4] |
Subject: Which version preference for Isa 48:14? |
Bible Note: Greetings Ray! I like the NASB here the best, and in many other places in Scripture where I feel that the NASB is "superior" to the NKJV.. (That is only my opinion.) I believe that the NASB provides the clearest rendering of the verse (comparing the two translations), and the NASB is the "most responsible" translation in this verse in regards to capitalization. If you notice in v. 14, the NASB does not capitalize "he" in "he will carry.." However, the NKJV capitalizes "He" in "He shall do His.." The "he" in verse 14 is not referring to God. It is referring to the one whom God will use (chosen by God), and this 'one' is Cyrus the Great. Cyrus issued the decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem (see Ezra 1:1-4; 6:3-5). Therefore, it is Cyrus who is the "he" in the prophecy of Isaiah 48:14, not the Lord. So now let's take out all of the pronouns: The Lord loves Cyrus; Cyrus will carry out the Lord's good pleasure on Babylon, And the Lord's arm will be against the Chaldeans. I, even I, have spoken; indeed I have called Cyrus, I have brought Cyrus, and the Lord will make Cyrus' ways successful. If we look at the NKJV the same way, it is read: The Lord loves Cyrus; the Lord shall do the Lord's pleasure on Babylon, And the Lord's arm shall be against the Chaldeans. I, even I, have called Cyrus, I have brought Cyrus, and Cyrus' way will prosper. Therefore, I believe that not only is the NASB much more clearer to understand, but it also provides the best interpretation for this verse when compared to the NKJV. Notice that the NIV puts this verse this way: “Come together, all of you, and listen: Which of the idols has foretold these things? The LORD’S chosen ally will carry out his purpose against Babylon; his arm will be against the Babylonians. I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission." The NIV agrees with the NASB, and notice how the NIV uses the words "chosen ally".. If the text were clearly referring to the Lord, then wouldn't this be clearly shown in the other translations, not just the NKJV? This is just another "divergence" of the NKJV (in the many places of Scripture that we have studied), and I believe that the NKJV takes many liberties and is playing with meanings that just should not be taken when translating the Biblical text. --Nolan |