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Isaiah 64
Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.
Section 2: Tear Open the HeavensVerses 1 to 4
Now the people pray.
"If only You would rend the heavens and come down, so that mountains would quake at Your presence" (64:1).
To rend means to tear open. They want God to rip open the sky and come.
They remember times God did amazing things they didn't expect.
"No eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him" (64:4).
1If only You would rend the heavens and come down, so that mountains would quake at Your presence, 2as fire kindles the brushwood and causes the water to boil, to make Your name known to Your enemies, so that the nations will tremble at Your presence! 3When You did awesome works that we did not expect, You came down, and the mountains trembled at Your presence. 4From ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.
Section 3: Like Filthy RagsVerses 5 to 7
Then they confess. "Surely You were angry, for we sinned" (64:5).
"All our righteous acts are like filthy rags" (64:6). Even the good things they did were stained.
"We all wither like a leaf" (64:6). Like dry leaves, their sins blew them away.
No one was calling on God anymore.
5You welcome those who gladly do right, who remember Your ways. Surely You were angry, for we sinned. How can we be saved if we remain in our sins? 6Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind. 7No one calls on Your name or strives to take hold of You. For You have hidden Your face from us and delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.
Section 4: You Are the PotterVerses 8 to 9
Then comes a "but."
"But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand" (64:8).
A potter shapes clay with his hands. Clay can't shape itself.
"Do not remember our iniquity forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray; we are all Your people!" (64:9).
8But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand. 9Do not be angry, O LORD, beyond measure; do not remember our iniquity forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray; we are all Your people!
Between sectionsVerses 10 to 12
This part isn't covered by the guide.
10Your holy cities have become a wilderness. Zion has become a wasteland and Jerusalem a desolation. 11Our holy and beautiful temple, where our fathers praised You, has been burned with fire, and all that was dear to us lies in ruins. 12After all this, O LORD, will You restrain Yourself? Will You keep silent and afflict us beyond measure?
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