76 The Hebrew text (and the Qumran scroll 1QIsaa) has the third person here, though a few Hebrew (and Targums) read the second person, which is certainly more consistent with the following context. The third person form is the more difficult reading and probably original. This disagreement in person has caused some to emend the first verb (3rd plural) to a 2nd plural form (followed by most English translations). The textual apparatus suggests that the 2nd plural form be read even though there is only sparse textual evidence. , , and the change all the 2nd person verbs in 1:29–31 to 3rd person verbs. It is likely that the change to a 2nd person form represents an attempt at syntactical harmonization (J. de Waard, Isaiah, 10). The abrupt change from 3rd person to 2nd person may have been intentional for rhetorical impact ( §144.p). The rapid change from exclamation (they did!) to reproach (you desired!) might be regarded as a rhetorical figure focusing attention on the addressees and their conditions (de Waard, 10; E. König, Stilistik, Rhetorik, Poetik, 239). This use of the 3rd person could also be understood as an impersonal third person: “one will be ashamed” (de Waard, 10). In v. 29 the prophet continues his description of the sinners (v. 28), but then suddenly makes a transition to direct address (switching from 3rd to 2nd person) in the middle of his sentence.
77 The second person pronouns in vv. 29–30 are masculine plural, indicating that the rebellious sinners (v. 28) are addressed.
78 Or “gardens” (so , , , ); “groves.”
79 Or “a garden” (so , , , , ).
80 Heb “will become” (so , ).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

For they shall be ashamed of the oaks

that you desired;

and you shall blush for the gardens

that you have chosen.

For you shall be like an oak

whose leaf withers,

and like a garden without water.

And the strong shall become tinder,

and his work a spark,

and both of them shall burn together,

with none to quench them.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks

in which you have delighted;

you will be disgraced because of the gardens

that you have chosen.

You will be like an oak with fading leaves,

like a garden without water.

The mighty man will become tinder

and his work a spark;

both will burn together,

with no one to quench the fire.”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Indeed, they will be ashamed of the sacred trees

you desired,

and you will be embarrassed because of the garden shrines

you have chosen.

For you will become like an oak

whose leaves are withered,

and like a garden without water.

The strong one will become tinder,

and his work a spark;

both will burn together,

with no one to extinguish the flames.

NLTNew Living Translation

You will be ashamed of your idol worship

in groves of sacred oaks.

You will blush because you worshiped

in gardens dedicated to idols.

You will be like a great tree with withered leaves,

like a garden without water.

The strongest among you will disappear like straw;

their evil deeds will be the spark that sets it on fire.

They and their evil works will burn up together,

and no one will be able to put out the fire.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

For you will be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted,

and you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen.

For you shall be like an oak withering its leaves,

and like a garden where there is no water for her.

And the strong man shall become like tinder,

and his work like a spark.

And both of them shall burn together,

and there is not one to quench them.”

KJV 1900King James Version

For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired,

And ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.

For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth,

And as a garden that hath no water.

And the strong shall be as tow,

And the maker of it as a spark,

And they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

Public Domain