Isaiah 29:11

9 Stop and be astonished; blind yourselves and be sightless; be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not from strong drink.

10 For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.

And the entire vision will be to you like the words sealed in a scroll. If it is handed to someone to read, he will say, “I cannot, because it is sealed.”

12 Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.”

13 Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
And the entire vision will be to you like the words sealed in a scroll. If it is handed to someone to read, he will say, “I cannot, because it is sealed.”
KJV
And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
WEB
All vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is educated, saying, “Read this, please;” and he says, “I can’t, for it is sealed;”
ASV
And all vision is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed:
DARBY
And the whole vision is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which they give to one that can read, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed.
BLB
And the vision of all has become to you⁺ like the words of a book that is sealed, which they give to the one knowing a book, saying, “Read this now! “And he says, I am not able, for it [is]” sealed.
ÅB
Og slik er synet av alt dette blitt dere slik som ordene i en forseglet bok; gir en den til en som skjønner skrift, og sier: Les dette! så sier han: Jeg kan ikke, for den er forseglet.
OTB
Hele dette synet vil være for dere som ordene i en forseglet bok. Når den gis til en som kan lese, og det sies: “Les dette, vær så snill,” vil han si, “Jeg kan ikke, for den er forseglet.”
B1930
Og således er synet av alt dette blitt eder likesom ordene i en forseglet bok; gir en den til en som skjønner skrift, og sier: Les dette! så sier han: Jeg kan ikke, for den er forseglet.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Matthew 13:11

    He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

    Read in context
  • Daniel 12:4

    But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.”

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 8:16

    Bind up the testimony and seal the law among my disciples.

    Read in context
  • Daniel 12:9

    “Go on your way, Daniel,” he replied, “for the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 11:25

    At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

    Read in context
  • Revelation 5:1–9

    Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 16:17

    Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.

    Read in context
  • Revelation 6:1

    Then I watched as the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a thunderous voice, “Come!”

    Read in context