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Isaiah 40:3

Jesus
Jesus ChristRepentanceProphecy

1 “Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.

2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her forced labor has been completed; her iniquity has been pardoned. For she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.”

A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.

4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain.

5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

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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
A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
KJV
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
WEB
The voice of one who calls out, “Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God.
ASV
The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God.
DARBY
The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of Jehovah, make straight in the desert a highway for our God!
BLB
The voice of one calling in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of YHWH, make straight in the desert plain a highway for our God.
ÅB
Hør! Det er en som roper: Rydd i ørkenen vei for Herren! Gjør i ødemarken en jevn vei for vår Gud!
OTB
En røst roper i ødemarken: "Forbered Herrens vei; gjør i ørkenen en rett vei for vår Gud.
B1930
Hør! Det er en som roper: Rydd i ørkenen vei for Herren! Gjør i ødemarken en jevn vei for vår Gud!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Malachi 3:1

    “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.

    Read in context

  • Mark 1:2–5

    As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.”

    Read in context

  • John 1:23

    John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet: “I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

    Read in context

  • Matthew 3:1–3

    In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea

    Read in context

  • Luke 1:16–17

    Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.

    Read in context

  • Luke 1:76–77

    And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,

    Read in context

  • Malachi 4:5–6

    Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 57:14

    And it will be said, “Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, take every obstacle out of the way of My people.”

    Read in context