14 Or “look among the nations and observe.” The imperatival forms in v. 5 are plural, indicating that the Lord’s message is for the whole nation, not just the prophet.
15 The Hebrew text combines the Hitpael and Qal imperatival forms of the verb תָּמַה (tamah, “be amazed”). A literal translation might read, “Shock yourselves and be shocked!” The repetition of sounds draws attention to the statement. The imperatives here have the force of an emphatic assertion. On this use of the imperative in Hebrew, see §110.c and §34.4c.
16 Heb “for a work working in your days.” Following the reading, some supply a first person singular pronoun with the participle פֹּעֵל (po’el). Ellipsis of a first singular pronoun before participles is relatively rare (see §116.s); perhaps an original אֲנֹכִי (’anoki; or אֲנִי, ’aniy) followed the initial כִּי (ki) and was omitted by homoioteleuton.
17 Heb “you will not believe when it is told.” In this context the force of כִּי (ki) may be “when,” “if,” or “even though.”

In other versions

“Look among the nations, and see;

wonder and be astounded.

For I am doing a work in your days

that you would not believe if told.

“Look at the nations and watch—

and be utterly amazed.

For I am going to do something in your days

that you would not believe,

even if you were told.

Look at the nations and observe—

be utterly astounded!

For I am doing something in your days

that you will not believe

when you hear about it.

The Lord replied,

“Look around at the nations;

look and be amazed!

For I am doing something in your own day,

something you wouldn’t believe

even if someone told you about it.

“Look among the nations and see;

be astonished and astounded.

For a work is about to be done in your days

that you will not believe if it is told.

Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously:

For I will work a work in your days,

Which ye will not believe, though it be told you.

Public Domain