Isaiah 9:17
New International Version
Therefore the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men, nor will he pity the fatherless and widows, for everyone is ungodly and wicked, every mouth speaks folly. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.

New Living Translation
That is why the Lord takes no pleasure in the young men and shows no mercy even to the widows and orphans. For they are all wicked hypocrites, and they all speak foolishness. But even then the LORD’s anger will not be satisfied. His fist is still poised to strike.

English Standard Version
Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over their young men, and has no compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is godless and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men; He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows. For every one of them is godless and wicked, and every mouth speaks folly. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

King James Bible
Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

New King James Version
Therefore the Lord will have no joy in their young men, Nor have mercy on their fatherless and widows; For everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, And every mouth speaks folly. For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over their young men, Nor does He have compassion on their orphans or their widows; For every one of them is godless and an evildoer, And every mouth is speaking foolishness. In spite of all this, His anger does not turn away, And His hand is still stretched out.

NASB 1995
Therefore the Lord does not take pleasure in their young men, Nor does He have pity on their orphans or their widows; For every one of them is godless and an evildoer, And every mouth is speaking foolishness. In spite of all this, His anger does not turn away And His hand is still stretched out.

NASB 1977
Therefore the Lord does not take pleasure in their young men, Nor does He have pity on their orphans or their widows; For every one of them is godless and an evildoer, And every mouth is speaking foolishness. In spite of all this His anger does not turn away, And His hand is still stretched out.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore the Lord is not glad in their choice men, Nor does He have compassion on their orphans or their widows; For every one of them is godless and an evildoer, And every mouth is speaking wicked foolishness. In spite of all this, His anger does not turn back, And His hand is still stretched out.

Amplified Bible
Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over their young men, Nor does He have compassion on their fatherless or their widows; For every one of them is godless and an evildoer, And every mouth is speaking foolishness. In spite of all this, God’s anger does not turn away But His hand is still stretched out [in judgment].

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over Israel’s young men and has no compassion on its fatherless and widows, for everyone is a godless evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. In all this, his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still raised to strike.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over Israel’s young men and has no compassion on its fatherless and widows, for everyone is a godless evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. In all this, His anger is not removed, and His hand is still raised to strike.

American Standard Version
Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for every one is profane and an evil-doer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Contemporary English Version
The Lord was angry with his people and kept punishing them, because they had turned against him. They were evil and spoke foolishly. That's why he did not have pity on their young people or on their widows and orphans.

English Revised Version
Therefore the Lord shall not rejoice over their young men, neither shall he have compassion on their fatherless and widows: for every one is profane and an evil-doer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
That is why the Lord isn't happy with their young men, nor will he show compassion for their orphans and widows. Every one of them is a godless evildoer, and every mouth speaks foolishness. Even after all this, his anger will not disappear, and he is still ready to use his power.

Good News Translation
And so the Lord will not let any of the young men escape, and he will not show pity on any of the widows and orphans, because all the people are godless and wicked and everything they say is evil. Yet even so the LORD's anger will not be ended, but his hand will still be stretched out to punish.

International Standard Version
Therefore the Lord does not have pity on their young men, and has no compassion on their orphans and widows, because each of them was godless and an evildoer, and every mouth spoke folly. "Yet for all this, his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still stretched out, ready to strike.

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men; He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows. For every one of them is godless and wicked, and every mouth speaks folly. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

NET Bible
So the sovereign master was not pleased with their young men, he took no pity on their orphans and widows; for the whole nation was godless and did wicked things, every mouth was speaking disgraceful words. Despite all this, his anger does not subside, and his hand is ready to strike again.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is profane and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore the Lord will have no joy in their young men, neither will have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is a hypocrite and an evil-doer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

World English Bible
Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is profane and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Therefore, the Lord does not rejoice over its young men, "" And He does not pity its orphans and its widows, "" For everyone [is] profane, and an evildoer, "" And every mouth is speaking folly. With all this His anger has not turned back, "" And His hand is still stretched out.

Young's Literal Translation
Therefore, over its young men the Lord rejoiceth not, And its orphans, and its widows He pitieth not, For every one is profane, and an evil doer, And every mouth is speaking folly. With all this not turned back hath His anger, And still His hand is stretched out.

Smith's Literal Translation
For this upon their young men Jehovah shall not rejoice, and their orphans and their widows he will not compassionate; for they all are polluted and doing evil, and every mouth speaking folly. In all this his anger turned not back, and yet his hand stretched out.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore the Lord shell have no joy in their young men: neither shall he have mercy on their fatherless, and widows: for every one is a hypocrite and wicked, and every mouth hath spoken folly. For all this his indignation is not turned away, but his bend is stretched out still.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For this reason, the Lord will not rejoice over their youths. And he will not take pity on their orphans and widows. For each one is a hypocrite, and each one is wicked, and every mouth has spoken foolishness. After all this, his fury was not turned away; instead, his hand was still extended.

New American Bible
That is why the Lord does not spare their young men, and their orphans and widows he does not pity; For they are totally impious and wicked, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this, his wrath is not turned back, his hand is still outstretched!

New Revised Standard Version
That is why the Lord did not have pity on their young people, or compassion on their orphans and widows; for everyone was godless and an evildoer, and every mouth spoke folly. For all this his anger has not turned away; his hand is stretched out still.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore the LORD shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall he have mercy on their orphans and widows; for all of them are hypocrites and evildoers, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of this, LORD JEHOVAH will not rejoice over their young men and over their orphans, and over their widows he shall not brood, because all of them are changeable and evil, and every mouth speaks madness, and in all these things he did not turn away his anger, and again his hand he lifted up
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, Neither shall He have compassion on their fatherless and widows; For every one is ungodly and an evil-doer, And every mouth speaketh wantonness. For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore the Lord shall not take pleasure in their young men, neither shall he have pity on their orphans or on their widows: for they are all transgressors and wicked, and every mouth speaks unjustly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is yet exalted.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgment Against Israel's Hypocrisy
16For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up. 17Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men; He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows. For every one of them is godless and wicked, and every mouth speaks folly. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

Cross References
Jeremiah 5:29-31
Should I not punish them for these things?” declares the LORD. “Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this? / A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land. / The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?

Hosea 4:6-9
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. / The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace. / They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity. ...

Micah 3:5-7
This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: / Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them. / Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.”

Zechariah 11:15-17
And the LORD said to me: “Take up once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd. / For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will neither care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken, nor sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the choice sheep and tear off their hooves. / Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered and his right eye utterly blinded!”

Matthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Matthew 23:16-24
Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ / You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? / And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ ...

Luke 6:39
Jesus also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?

John 9:39-41
Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” / Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?” / “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”

Romans 1:28-32
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ...

2 Timothy 3:1-5
But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ...

2 Peter 2:1-3
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.

Revelation 2:14-16
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. / In the same way, some of you also hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. / Therefore repent! Otherwise I will come to you shortly and wage war against them with the sword of My mouth.

Revelation 2:20-23
But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. / Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling. / Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds. ...

Isaiah 3:12-15
Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. O My people, your guides mislead you; they turn you from your paths. / The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people. / The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses. ...

Isaiah 5:20-23
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. / Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. / Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing strong drink, ...


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore the LORD shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

have no joy

Isaiah 10:2
To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!

Isaiah 13:18
Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.

Isaiah 27:11
When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

for every

Isaiah 10:6
I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

Job 15:34
For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.

Jeremiah 5:1
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.

every mouth

Isaiah 32:6,7
For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail…

Matthew 12:34
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

folly.

Isaiah 9:12,21
The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still…

Isaiah 5:25
Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Isaiah 10:4
Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Jump to Previous
Anger Compassion Evildoer Evil-Doer Fatherless Folly Hand Hypocrite Joy Mercy Mouth Profane Rejoice Speaketh Speaks Stretched Turned Ungodly Widows Young
Jump to Next
Anger Compassion Evildoer Evil-Doer Fatherless Folly Hand Hypocrite Joy Mercy Mouth Profane Rejoice Speaketh Speaks Stretched Turned Ungodly Widows Young
Isaiah 9
1. What joy shall be in the midst of afflictions, by the birth and kingdom of Christ
8. The judgments upon Israel for their pride
13. For their hypocrisy
18. And for their unrepentance














Therefore the Lord
The phrase "Therefore the Lord" indicates a direct consequence of the preceding actions and attitudes of the people. In Hebrew, "Lord" is "Adonai," emphasizing God's sovereign authority and righteous judgment. This introduction sets the tone for divine action that is both just and inevitable, reminding us of God's ultimate control over the moral order.

will have no compassion
The Hebrew root for "compassion" is "racham," which conveys deep mercy and tender love. The absence of compassion here underscores the severity of the people's sin and the seriousness of divine judgment. It serves as a sobering reminder that persistent rebellion against God can lead to a withdrawal of His protective and nurturing presence.

on their young men
"Young men" in this context refers to the strength and future of the nation. In ancient cultures, young men were seen as the hope and vitality of society. The lack of compassion towards them signifies a profound loss of potential and a bleak outlook for the nation's future, highlighting the consequences of turning away from God.

nor will He pity the fatherless and widows
"Pity" here is derived from the Hebrew "chamal," meaning to spare or show mercy. The fatherless and widows are typically objects of God's special care and protection, as seen throughout Scripture. The absence of pity indicates the depth of the nation's corruption, where even the most vulnerable are not shielded from judgment due to the pervasive wickedness.

for everyone is godless and wicked
The terms "godless" and "wicked" reflect a complete moral and spiritual decay. "Godless" (Hebrew "chaneph") implies a willful departure from God's ways, while "wicked" (Hebrew "ra") denotes active evil and injustice. This universal indictment emphasizes the totality of the nation's rebellion and the justification for divine retribution.

and every mouth speaks folly
"Folly" in Hebrew is "nabal," which often connotes moral perversity and foolishness. The imagery of every mouth speaking folly suggests a culture saturated with deceit and blasphemy, where truth and wisdom are absent. This highlights the destructive power of words and the societal impact of collective moral failure.

In all this, His anger is not turned away
The phrase "His anger is not turned away" indicates the persistence of divine wrath. God's anger, in this context, is not capricious but a righteous response to sin. It serves as a warning that without repentance, the consequences of sin remain, underscoring the need for genuine transformation and return to God.

yet His hand is still upraised
The "upraised hand" is a powerful image of God's ongoing judgment and readiness to act. It conveys both the immediacy and the certainty of divine intervention. This imagery serves as a call to repentance, reminding the people that while judgment is imminent, there is still an opportunity to seek God's mercy and change their ways.

(17) Therefore the Lord shall have no joy . . .--The Hebrew tenses are in the past, The Lord had no joy. The severity of the coming judgment is represented as not sparing even the flower of the nation's youth, the widows and orphans who were the special objects of compassion both to God and man. The corruption of the time was universal, and the prophet's formula, "For all this his anger is not turned away . . ." tolls again like the knell of doom.

Folly.--Better, blasphemy or villainy.

Verse 17. - The Lord shall have no joy in their young men. "The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy" (Psalm 147:11). He can have no joy or delight in evil-doers, or idolaters, or in those whose speech is profanity. Neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows. The widow and the orphan are objects of God's tenderest love and compassion (Exodus 22:22; Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 14:29; Isaiah 1:17, etc.); but when the wickedness of a land provokes him to send any one of his "four sore judgments" upon it, the widow and the fatherless must suffer with the other inhabitants. God pities them, doubtless, but his justice and his righteous anger force him to restrain his pity, and carry out his judgment in spite of it. Every one is an hypocrite; or, corrupt; compare, "They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Psalm 14:3). A certain allowance must be made for the natural hyperbole of strong feeling. Every mouth speaketh folly. The word translated here (and generally) "folly" is rendered "villany" in Isaiah 32:6 and Jeremiah 29:23. Its proper meaning seems to be "lewdness or "profligacy."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Therefore
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֗י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

takes no
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

pleasure
יִשְׂמַ֣ח ׀ (yiś·maḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome

in
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

their young men;
בַּחוּרָ֜יו (ba·ḥū·rāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 970: Selected, a youth

He has no
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

compassion
יְרַחֵ֔ם (yə·ra·ḥêm)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7355: To fondle, to love, to compassionate

on their fatherless
יְתֹמָ֤יו (yə·ṯō·māw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3490: A bereaved person

and
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

widows.
אַלְמְנֹתָיו֙ (’al·mə·nō·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 490: A widow, a desolate place

For
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

every one of them
כֻלּוֹ֙ (ḵul·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

is godless
חָנֵ֣ף (ḥā·nêp̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2611: Profane, irreligious

and wicked,
וּמֵרַ֔ע (ū·mê·ra‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7489: To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad

and every
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

mouth
פֶּ֖ה (peh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

speaks
דֹּבֵ֣ר (dō·ḇêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

folly.
נְבָלָ֑ה (nə·ḇā·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5039: Foolishness, wickedness, a crime, punishment

Despite all
בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

this,
זֹאת֙ (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

His anger
אַפּ֔וֹ (’ap·pōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire

is not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

turned away;
שָׁ֣ב (šāḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

His hand
יָד֥וֹ (yā·ḏōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

is still
וְע֖וֹד (wə·‘ō·wḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

upraised.
נְטוּיָֽה׃ (nə·ṭū·yāh)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend


Links
Isaiah 9:17 NIV
Isaiah 9:17 NLT
Isaiah 9:17 ESV
Isaiah 9:17 NASB
Isaiah 9:17 KJV

Isaiah 9:17 BibleApps.com
Isaiah 9:17 Biblia Paralela
Isaiah 9:17 Chinese Bible
Isaiah 9:17 French Bible
Isaiah 9:17 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Isaiah 9:17 Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 9:16
Top of Page
Top of Page