Isaiah 55:2

1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

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

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.
KJV
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
WEB
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.
ASV
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
DARBY
Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which is] not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye [that which is] good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
BLB
Why do you⁺ weigh out silver for [what is] not bread, and your⁺ wages for [what is] not satisfaction? Listen carefully to Me, and eat [what is] good, and let your⁺ soul delight in the richness.
ÅB
Hvorfor veier dere ut penger for det som ikke er brød, og deres fortjeneste for det som ikke kan mette? Hør på meg! Så skal dere spise det gode, og deres sjel glede seg ved de fete retter.
OTB
Hvorfor bruker dere penger på det som ikke er brød, og deres arbeid på det som ikke metter? Lytt nøye til meg, og spis det som er godt, og dere skal fryde dere i overfloden.
B1930
Hvorfor veier I ut penger for det som ikke er brød, og eders fortjeneste for det som ikke kan mette? Hør på mig! Så skal I ete det gode, og eders sjel glede sig ved de fete retter.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • John 6:48–58

    I am that bread of life.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 2:13

    For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 22:26

    The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 36:8

    They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

    Read in context
  • Romans 10:2–3

    For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 13:9

    Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 31:14

    And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 51:7

    Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.

    Read in context