Isaiah 55:7

New Living Translation

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Evil people should stop living evil lives. They should stop thinking bad thoughts. They should come to the Lord again, and he will comfort them. They should come to our God because he will freely forgive them.

Update Bible Version
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to Yahweh, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

New Century Version
The wicked should stop doing wrong, and they should stop their evil thoughts. They should return to the Lord so he may have mercy on them. They should come to our God, because he will freely forgive them.

New English Translation
The wicked need to abandon their lifestyle and sinful people their plans. They should return to the Lord , and he will show mercy to them, and to their God, for he will freely forgive them.

Webster's Bible Translation
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

World English Bible
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to Yahweh, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Amplified Bible
Let the wicked leave (behind) his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion (mercy) on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

English Standard Version
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord , that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
An vnfeithful man forsake his weie, and a wickid man forsake hise thouytis; and turne he ayen to the Lord, and he schal haue merci on hym, and to oure God, for he is myche to foryyue.

English Revised Version
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Berean Standard Bible
Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Contemporary English Version
Give up your crooked ways and your evil thoughts. Return to the Lord our God. He will be merciful and forgive your sins.

American Standard Version
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Bible in Basic English
Let the sinner give up his way, and the evil-doer his purpose: and let him come back to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for there is full forgiveness with him.

Complete Jewish Bible
Let the wicked person abandon his way and the evil person his thoughts; let him return to Adonai , and he will have mercy on him; let him return to our God, for he will freely forgive.

Darby Translation
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

JPS Old Testament (1917)
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the man of iniquity his thoughts; and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have compassion upon him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

King James Version (1611)
Let the wicked forsake his way, & the vnrighteous man his thoughts: and let him returne vnto the Lord, and he will haue mercie vpon him, and to our God, for hee will abundantly pardon.

New Life Bible
Let the sinful turn from his way, and the one who does not know God turn from his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have loving-pity on him. Let him turn to our God, for He will for sure forgive all his sins.

New Revised Standard
let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord , that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Let the wicked forsake his wayes, and the vnrighteous his owne imaginations, and returne vnto the Lord, and he wil haue mercy vpon him: and to our God, for hee is very ready to forgiue.

George Lamsa Translation
Let the sinner forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Let the lawless forsake his way, And the man of iniquity, his thoughts, - And let him return unto Yahweh That he may have compassion upon him, And unto our God, For he will abundantly pardon.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unjust man his thoughts, and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God: for he is bountiful to forgive.

Revised Standard Version
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Let the vngodly man forsake his owne wayes, and the vnrighteous his owne imaginations, and turne agayne vnto the Lorde, so shall he be mercifull vnto hym: and to our God, for he is very redy to forgeue.

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
let the ungodly leave his ways, and the transgressor his counsels: and let him return to the Lord, and he shall find mercy; for he shall abundantly pardon your sins.

Good News Translation
Let the wicked leave their way of life and change their way of thinking. Let them turn to the Lord , our God; he is merciful and quick to forgive.

Christian Standard Bible®
Let the wicked one abandon his wayand the sinful one his thoughts;let him return to the Lord,so he may have compassion on him,and to our God, for he will freely forgive.

Hebrew Names Version
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

King James Version
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord , and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Lexham English Bible
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the man of sin his thoughts. And let him return to Yahweh, that he may take pity on him, and to our God, for he will forgive manifold.

Literal Translation
Let the wicked forsake his way and the man of vanity his thoughts, and let him return to Jehovah, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

Young's Literal Translation
Forsake doth the wicked his way, And the man of iniquity his thoughts, And he returneth to Jehovah, and He pitieth him, And unto our God for He multiplieth to pardon.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Let the vngodly man forsake his wayes, ad the vnrightuous his ymaginacios, & turne agayne vnto the LORDE, so shal he be merciful vnto him: and to oure God, for he is redy to forgeue.

New American Standard Bible
Let the wicked abandon his way, And the unrighteous person his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

New King James Version
Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

Legacy Standard Bible
Let the wicked forsake his wayAnd the unrighteous man his thoughts;And let him return to Yahweh,And He will have compassion on him,And to our God,For He will abundantly pardon.

Contextual Overview

⁶ Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. ⁷ Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. ⁸ "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord . "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. ⁹ For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. ¹⁰ "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. ¹¹ It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. ¹² You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! ¹³ Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the Lord 's name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the wicked: Isaiah 1:16-18, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Proverbs 28:13, Jeremiah 3:3, Jeremiah 8:4-6, Ezekiel 3:18, Ezekiel 3:19, Ezekiel 18:21-23, Ezekiel 18:27-32, Ezekiel 33:11, Ezekiel 33:14-16, Hosea 14:1, Hosea 14:2, Jonah 3:10, Matthew 9:13, Luke 15:10, Luke 15:24, Acts 3:19, Acts 26:20, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, James 4:8-10

unrighteous man: Heb. man of iniquity

his thoughts: Genesis 6:5, Psalms 66:18, Jeremiah 4:14, Zechariah 8:17, Matthew 15:18, Matthew 15:19, Matthew 23:25, Matthew 23:26, Mark 7:21, Mark 7:23, Luke 11:39, Luke 11:40, Acts 8:21, Acts 8:22, James 1:15

for: Isaiah 43:25, Isaiah 44:22, Exodus 34:6, Exodus 34:7, Numbers 14:18, Numbers 14:19, Psalms 51:1, Psalms 130:7, Jeremiah 3:12, Jeremiah 3:13, Luke 7:47, Romans 5:16-21, Ephesians 1:6-8, 1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Timothy 1:16

abundantly: Heb. multiply to

Reciprocal: Exodus 33:7 - sought Deuteronomy 4:29 - But if Deuteronomy 30:2 - return unto 1 Samuel 7:3 - return 2 Samuel 24:14 - for his 1 Kings 8:48 - And so return 2 Kings 17:13 - Turn ye 1 Chronicles 16:10 - let the heart 1 Chronicles 21:13 - great 1 Chronicles 28:9 - if thou seek 2 Chronicles 12:14 - to seek 2 Chronicles 14:4 - seek 2 Chronicles 15:2 - if ye seek him 2 Chronicles 30:6 - turn again 2 Chronicles 30:9 - will not Ezra 10:2 - yet now there is hope Nehemiah 9:17 - gracious Nehemiah 13:22 - greatness Job 8:5 - thou wouldest Job 22:23 - return Job 23:3 - where Job 36:10 - commandeth Psalms 5:7 - in the Psalms 7:12 - If Psalms 9:10 - hast Psalms 25:6 - thy tender mercies Psalms 27:8 - Seek Psalms 36:5 - mercy Psalms 50:16 - wicked Psalms 68:18 - rebellious Psalms 69:32 - your heart Psalms 86:5 - ready Psalms 103:8 - merciful Psalms 105:3 - let the heart Psalms 119:101 - refrained Psalms 119:113 - hate Psalms 119:156 - are thy Psalms 130:4 - But there Proverbs 1:23 - Turn Proverbs 10:5 - gathereth Proverbs 12:5 - thoughts Proverbs 24:9 - thought Song of Solomon 3:4 - but Isaiah 1:19 - General Isaiah 7:3 - Shearjashub Isaiah 10:21 - return Isaiah 19:22 - they shall Isaiah 21:12 - if Isaiah 31:6 - Turn Isaiah 45:19 - Seek Isaiah 53:6 - his own Isaiah 56:1 - Keep Isaiah 63:7 - according to his Isaiah 65:2 - after Jeremiah 7:3 - Amend Jeremiah 18:11 - return Jeremiah 24:7 - for they Jeremiah 25:5 - Turn Jeremiah 26:13 - amend Jeremiah 29:13 - ye shall Jeremiah 31:20 - I will Jeremiah 33:3 - Call Jeremiah 33:6 - and will Jeremiah 36:3 - they may Lamentations 3:40 - turn Ezekiel 14:6 - Repent Ezekiel 18:31 - Cast Ezekiel 36:37 - I will yet Daniel 4:27 - break Daniel 9:9 - To the Lord Hosea 6:1 - and let Hosea 12:6 - turn Joel 2:12 - turn Amos 5:4 - Seek Jonah 3:8 - let Micah 7:18 - that Zephaniah 2:3 - Seek ye Zechariah 1:3 - Turn Zechariah 7:7 - Should ye not hear the words Malachi 3:7 - Return unto me Matthew 5:25 - whiles Matthew 6:5 - when Matthew 7:7 - and it Matthew 7:13 - at Matthew 12:31 - All Matthew 18:22 - but Matthew 21:29 - he repented Matthew 22:9 - General Matthew 25:9 - but Mark 2:8 - Why Mark 2:17 - I came Luke 3:13 - Exact Luke 5:32 - General Luke 11:9 - seek John 6:37 - I will Acts 9:11 - for Acts 15:19 - turned Romans 5:15 - hath Romans 6:13 - unrighteousness 2 Corinthians 5:20 - as 2 Corinthians 7:1 - filthiness 2 Corinthians 10:5 - every thought Ephesians 1:7 - the forgiveness Ephesians 3:20 - exceeding Colossians 2:13 - having 2 Thessalonians 1:11 - our God 1 Timothy 1:14 - exceeding Titus 2:12 - denying Hebrews 4:16 - obtain Hebrews 6:1 - repentance Hebrews 6:17 - more James 1:5 - let James 5:11 - the Lord is 1 Peter 1:2 - be 1 John 3:22 - whatsoever

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Let the wicked forsake his way,.... His evil way, as the Targum paraphrases it, his wicked course of life; and which is his own way, of his own choosing, and in which he delights, and a very dangerous one it is; and yet he is bent upon it, and nothing can turn him from it but efficacious grace; nor will he ever forsake it till he sees the evil, danger, and loathsomeness of it; and when he does forsake it, it is so as not to make sin the course of his life, though he does not and cannot live without sin. The word for "wicked" signifies restless, troublesome, and ungodly, and is expressive of the pollution and guilt of sin all are under. Some are notoriously wicked, and all men are wicked in the account of God, though they may think otherwise themselves; and they become so their own apprehensions, when they are thoroughly awakened and convinced of sin, and of the evil of their ways, and are enabled to forsake them: though this may also be understood of "his own way" of saving himself, which is by works of righteousness he has done, in opposition to God's way of saving men by Jesus Christ; which way of his own must be relinquished, and Christ alone must be applied unto, and laid hold on, for salvation:

and the unrighteous man his thoughts: not his natural thoughts, but his sinful ones, his wrong thoughts of religion, righteousness, and salvation; particularly his thoughts of being justified by his own righteousness; which thoughts are to be forsaken, as being contrary to God's way of justifying sinners; and as all men are unrighteous, are destitute of righteousness, and full of unrighteousness, so is the self-righteous person; and he must be divested of all thoughts of his own righteousness, and acknowledge himself an unrighteous man, ere he receives mercy, forgiveness, righteousness and salvation, at the hands of the Lord:

and let him return unto the Lord; from whom he has departed, against whom he has sinned, and who only can save him; and this he does when he comes and acknowledges his sin before the Lord, implores his grace and mercy, and attends his word and worship; all which is the fruit and effect of powerful and efficacious grace, in turning and drawing. The Targum is,

"and let him turn to the worship of the Lord:''

and he will have mercy upon him; which shows that the returning of the sinner to God is not meritorious, it is mercy still to receive him; and which is here mentioned as the motive to return; there is an abundance of it with the Lord, and he has resolved and promised to show it, and he takes delight in it, and many are the instances of it:

and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon; God is to be applied unto, not as an absolute God, or out of Christ; but as our God in Christ, in whom he has proclaimed his name, a God gracious and merciful, and so he does abundantly pardon. The promise of pardon is absolute and unconditional, and is here observed as the motive to forsake sin, and not that as the condition of pardon; the design is to comfort those that are distressed with sin; God does and will pardon, and none but he can, and he has declared that he will; forgiveness is with him, and it is published in the Gospel, and there have been many instances of it.

The Lord does abundantly pardon, or "multiply to pardon" m; he pardons all sorts of sinners, and all sorts of sins; original sin, actual sins and transgressions; all backslidings and revoltings; all but the sin against the Holy Ghost.

m ירבה לסלוח "multiplicabit ad parcendum vel ut parcat", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; "multiplicabit condonare", Cocceius; "multus erit ut proritietur": Munster.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Let the wicked ... - In this verse we are told what is necessary in order to seek God and to return to him, and the encouragement which we have to do it. The first step is for the sinner to forsake his way. He must come to a solemn pause, and resolve to abandon all his transgressions. His evil course; his vices; his corrupt practices; and his dissipated companions, must be forsaken.

And the unrighteous man - Margin, “Man of iniquity.” This is a literal translation. The address is made to all people, for all are such.

His thoughts - The Hebrew word denotes all that is the object of thought; and the idea is, that the man must abandon his plans and purposes of life. The thoughts, in the sight of a holy God, are not less important than the external deportment; and no man can obtain his favor who is not ready to abandon his erroneous opinions, his pride and vanity, his plans of evil, and his purposes of life that are opposed to God.

And let him return unto the Lord - Man, in the Scriptures, is everywhere described as having wandered away from the true God. Religion consists in returning to him for pardon, for consolation, for protection, for support. The true penitent is desirous of returning to him, as the prodigal son returned to his father’s house; the man who loves sin chooses to remain at a distance from God.

And to our God - The God of his people; the God of the speaker here. It is the language of those who have found mercy. The idea is, that he who has bestowed mercy on us, will be ready to bestow it on others. ‘We have returned to God. We have had experience of his compassion, and we have such a conviction of his overflowing mercy, that we can assure all others that if they will return to our God, he will abundantly pardon them.’ The doctrine is, that they who have found favor have a deep conviction of the abounding compassion of God, and such a sense of the fullness of his mercy, that they are disposed to offer the assurance to all others, that they may also obtain full forgiveness. Compare Revelation 22:17 - ‘And let him that heareth say, Come.’

For he will abundantly pardon - Margin, as Hebrew, ‘Multiply to pardon.’ He abounds in forgiveness. This is the conviction of those who are pardoned; this is the promise of inestimable worth which is made to all who are willing to return to God. On the ground of this promise all may come to him, and none who come shall be sent empty away.