41 Since God is speaking throughout this context, perhaps we should emend the text to “and I say.” However, divine speech is introduced in v. 15.
42 Heb “the one who dwells forever.” שֹׁכֵן עַד (shokhen ’ad) is sometimes translated “the one who lives forever,” and understood as a reference to God’s eternal existence. However, the immediately preceding and following descriptions (“high and exalted” and “holy”) emphasize his sovereign rule. In the next line, he declares, “I dwell in an exalted and holy [place],” which refers to the place from which he rules. Therefore it is more likely that שֹׁכֵן עַד (shokhen ’ad) means “I dwell [in my lofty palace] forever” and refers to God’s eternal kingship.
43 Heb “and also with the crushed and lowly of spirit.” This may refer to the repentant who have humbled themselves (see 66:2) or more generally to the exiles who have experienced discouragement and humiliation.
44 Heb “to restore the lowly of spirit and to restore the heart of the crushed.”
45 Or perhaps, “argue,” or “accuse” (so , , ).
46 Heb “for a spirit from before me would be faint.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

And it shall be said,

“Build up, build up, prepare the way,

remove every obstruction from my people’s way.”

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,

who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

“I dwell in the high and holy place,

and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,

to revive the spirit of the lowly,

and to revive the heart of the contrite.

For I will not contend forever,

nor will I always be angry;

for the spirit would grow faint before me,

and the breath of life that I made.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

And it will be said:

“Build up, build up, prepare the road!

Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”

For this is what the high and exalted One says—

he who lives forever, whose name is holy:

“I live in a high and holy place,

but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,

to revive the spirit of the lowly

and to revive the heart of the contrite.

I will not accuse them forever,

nor will I always be angry,

for then they would faint away because of me—

the very people I have created.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

He said,

“Build it up, build it up, prepare the way,

remove every obstacle from my people’s way.”

For the High and Exalted One,

who lives forever, whose name is holy, says this:

“I live in a high and holy place,

and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit,

to revive the spirit of the lowly

and revive the heart of the oppressed.

For I will not accuse you forever,

and I will not always be angry;

for then the spirit would grow weak before me,

even the breath, which I have made.

NLTNew Living Translation

God says, “Rebuild the road!

Clear away the rocks and stones

so my people can return from captivity.”

The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,

the Holy One, says this:

“I live in the high and holy place

with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.

I restore the crushed spirit of the humble

and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.

For I will not fight against you forever;

I will not always be angry.

If I were, all people would pass away—

all the souls I have made.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And one shall say, “Build up, build up! Clear the way!

Remove the obstacles from the way of my people!”

For thus says the high and lofty one who resides forever, and whose name is holy:

“I reside in a high and holy place,

and with the contrite and humble of spirit,

to revive the spirit of the humble,

and to revive the heart of the contrite.

For I will not attack forever,

and I will not be angry forever,

for the spirit will grow faint before me,

and the breaths that I myself I have made.

KJV 1900King James Version

And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way,

Take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.

For thus saith the high and lofty One

That inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy;

I dwell in the high and holy place,

With him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,

To revive the spirit of the humble,

And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

For I will not contend for ever,

Neither will I be always wroth:

For the spirit should fail before me,

And the souls which I have made.

Public Domain