Isaiah 66:4

Judgment

² Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.

³ Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations.

So I will choose their punishment and I will bring terror upon them, because I called and no one answered, I spoke and no one listened. But they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”

⁵ You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: “Your brothers who hate you and exclude you because of My name have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy!’ But they will be put to shame.”

⁶ Hear the uproar from the city; listen to the voice from the temple! It is the voice of the LORD, repaying His enemies what they deserve!

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: So I will choose their punishment and I will bring terror upon them, because I called and no one answered, I spoke and no one listened. But they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”
KJV: I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
WEB: I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears on them, because when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, they didn’t listen, but they did that which was evil in my eyes, and chose that in which I didn’t delight.”
ASV: I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did that which was evil in mine eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not.
DARBY: I also will choose their calamities, and will bring their fears upon them; because I called, and none answered, I spoke, and they did not hear, but did that which was evil in mine eyes, and chose that wherein I delight not.
BLB: I also will choose their punishment, and their fears I will bring upon them, because I called and no one answered; I spoke and no one listened; and they did the evil in My eyes, and they chose that in which I did not delight.”

ÅB: så vil jeg velge å gjøre ondt imot dem, og det de frykter for, vil jeg la komme over dem, fordi jeg ropte, men ingen svarte, jeg talte, men de hørte ikke, de gjorde det som ondt var i mine øyne, og valgte det jeg ikke hadde behag i.
OTB: så jeg vil velge hard behandling for dem og bringe over dem det de frykter. For når jeg kalte, svarte ingen; når jeg talte, lyttet de ikke. I stedet gjorde de ondt i mine øyne og valgte det som mishager meg.»
B1930: så vil jeg velge å gjøre ondt imot dem, og det de frykter for, vil jeg la komme over dem, fordi jeg ropte, men ingen svarte, jeg talte, men de hørte ikke, de gjorde det som ondt var i mine øine, og valgte det jeg ikke hadde behag i.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Isaiah 65:12
I will destine you for the sword, and you will all kneel down to be slaughtered, because I called and you did not answer, I spoke and you did not listen; you did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”
Read in context
Proverbs 10:24
What the wicked man dreads will overtake him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
Read in context
Jeremiah 7:13
And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and because I have spoken to you again and again but you would not listen, and I have called to you but you would not answer,
Read in context
Proverbs 1:24
Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand,
Read in context
2 Kings 21:2
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD by following the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.
Read in context
2 Kings 21:6
He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.
Read in context
Proverbs 1:31–32
So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
Read in context
Psalms 81:12
So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.
Read in context