Isaiah 30:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

NIV: Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

NASB: Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right or to the left.

CSB: and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: "This is the way. Walk in it."

NLT: Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, 'This is the way you should go,' whether to the right or to the left.

KJV: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

NKJV: Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.

Isaiah 30:18–33 turns to the positive aspects of this prophecy. Despite Judah's faithlessness, the Lord still waits to show them mercy. Eventually, they will repent and turn to Him for help. They will see God and listen to Him. They will throw away their false idols and trust in Him. He will begin to shower them with abundant blessings, including destroying the terror-stricken Assyrians while the people of Judah celebrate their divine rescue.

The Lord describes Judah's people as stubborn children. They think Egypt will protect them from Assyria, instead of trusting Him. But Egypt will be of no help. Judah's leaders ignore God. They demand that prophets only tell them what they want to hear. Those leaders will be surprised by the sudden consequences of faithlessness. The Lord waits for them to turn back to Him and cry for help. When they do, He will provide greatly for them after destroying the Assyrians who are threatening them. The people will sing and celebrate as the Assyrians fall.

Isaiah has been transmitting God's prophecies about Israel, Judah, and other nations. This chapter scolds the southern kingdom of Judah for stubbornness and self-reliance. They make foolish choices instead of relying on the Lord. Egypt will not protect Judah from the Assyrians. But God will take vengeance on the enemy nation one day. Chapter 31 continues to rebuke those who look to human armies instead of God.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 1/9/2026 12:40:21 PM