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20 But if you refuse and rebel,
you will be devoured[a] by the sword.”
Know for certain that the Lord has spoken.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 1:20 sn The wordplay in the Hebrew draws attention to the options. The people can obey, in which case they will “eat” v. 19 (תֹּאכֵלוּ [toʾkhelu], Qal active participle of אָכַל) God’s blessing, or they can disobey, in which case they will be devoured (Heb “eaten,” תְּאֻכְּלוּ, [teʾukkelu], Qal passive/Pual of אָכַל) by God’s judgment.
  2. Isaiah 1:20 tn Heb “for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” The introductory כִּי (ki) may be asseverative (as reflected in the translation) or causal/explanatory, explaining why the option chosen by the people will become reality (it is guaranteed by the divine word).

20 but if you resist and rebel,(A)
    you will be devoured by the sword.”(B)
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.(C)

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