Isaiah 42:14

¹² Let them give glory to the LORD and declare His praise in the islands.

¹³ The LORD goes forth like a mighty one; He stirs up His zeal like a warrior. He shouts; yes, He roars in triumph over His enemies:

“I have kept silent from ages past; I have remained quiet and restrained. But now I will groan like a woman in labor; I will at once gasp and pant.

¹⁵ I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation. I will turn the rivers into dry land and drain the marshes.

¹⁶ I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These things I will do for them, and I will not forsake them.

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: “I have kept silent from ages past; I have remained quiet and restrained. But now I will groan like a woman in labor; I will at once gasp and pant.
KJV: I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
WEB: “I have been silent a long time. I have been quiet and restrained myself. Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will both gasp and pant.
ASV: I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: [now] will I cry out like a travailing woman; I will gasp and pant together.
DARBY: Long time have I holden my peace; I have been still, I have restrained myself: I will cry like a woman that travaileth; I will blow and pant at once.
BLB: “I have been silent from ages past; I have been still and restrained Myself; like a woman in labor I will groan; I will gasp and pant at once.

ÅB: Jeg har tidd fra eldgammel tid, jeg talte ikke, jeg holdt meg tilbake. Nå vil jeg skrike som den fødende kvinne, jeg vil puste og fnyse.
OTB: «Jeg har vært stille lenge; jeg har vært taus og holdt meg tilbake. Nå, som en kvinne i fødsel, vil jeg stønne, jeg vil både gispe og puste tungt.
B1930: Jeg har tidd fra eldgammel tid, jeg talte ikke, jeg holdt mig tilbake. Nu vil jeg skrike som den fødende kvinne, jeg vil puste og fnyse.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Psalms 83:1–2
O God, be not silent; be not speechless; be not still, O God.
Read in context
Luke 18:7
Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help?
Read in context
Jeremiah 44:22
So the LORD could no longer endure the evil deeds and detestable acts you committed, and your land became a desolation, a horror, and an object of cursing, without inhabitant, as it is this day.
Read in context
2 Peter 3:9–10
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
Read in context
2 Peter 3:15
Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him.
Read in context
Jeremiah 15:6
You have forsaken Me, declares the LORD. You have turned your back. So I will stretch out My hand against you and I will destroy you; I am weary of showing compassion.
Read in context
Ecclesiastes 8:11–12
When the sentence for a crime is not speedily executed, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil.
Read in context
Psalms 50:2
From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.
Read in context