OLD TESTAMENT

Isaiah 55

The Holy Bible · English
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1

“Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 1. Waters, which in that country are very scarce.—Milk. Septuagint “fat.” Calmet.—In the western Churches, wine and honey were given to the new baptized. Calmet. 7:15. Saint Jerome—Christ invites all to come to him. John 4:14,. and 7:37. The establishment of the Church is described under the figure of the return from Babylon. Calmet.—Grace is offered to all. But only those are justified who thirst, and do their best. Matthew 5:6. Worthington.

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2

Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which doesn’t satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in richness.

3

Turn your ear, and come to me. Hear, and your soul will live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 3. David. I will be equally faithful to you. Psalms 88:29. Septuagint “the holy things of David faithful.” Acts 13:34. The resurrection of Christ fully accomplished the promise made to David.

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4

Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 4. Him. David, who continually proclaimed the divine mercies, (Psalms 17:1) or rather Christ; though Grotius alone would refer it to Jeremias. Calmet.

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5

Behold, you shall call a nation that you don’t know; and a nation that didn’t know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he has glorified you.”

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 5. Not with approbation. Bible.—The Gentiles are converted.

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6

Seek the LORD while he may be found. Call on him while he is near.

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 6. Near. He will shortly ( Calmet.) turn to the Gentiles. John 12:35. Acts 13:46. Bible.

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7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, to our God, for he will freely pardon.

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 7. Way. This is a necessary preliminary to God’s service. Worthington.

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8

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” says the LORD.

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 8. My ways. I am not vindictive, but require a sincere conversion. Calmet.—We cannot serve both God and the world. We must therefore adhere to the former. Worthington.

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9

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10

For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky, and doesn’t return there, but waters the earth, and makes it grow and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater;

11

so is my word that goes out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do.

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 11. Sent it. I will assuredly bring you from Babylon; and the rain shall sooner return upwards than I will break my promise.

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12

For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace. The mountains and the hills will break out before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands.

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 12. Peace, by strangers. Calmet. 49:22.—Hands, for joy. Calmet.—Ipsa sonant arbusta Deus Deus ille, Menacla. Virg. Ec. 5.

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13

Instead of the thorn the cypress tree will come up; and instead of the brier the myrtle tree will come up. It will make a name for the LORD, for an everlasting sign that will not be cut off.”

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 13. Myrtle-tree. Instead of the wicked, the just shall be seen. Chal.—Away. The conversion and sanctity of the Gentiles shall be a trophy to the Lord. Menochius.

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