^8:20Then you must recall the Lord’s instructions and the prophetic testimony of what would happen.³⁸ Certainly they say such things because their minds are spiritually darkened.³⁹

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Footnotes

38 Heb “to [the] instruction and to [the] testimony.” The words “then you must recall” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons. In the Hebrew text vv. 19–20a are one long sentence, reading literally, “When they say to you …, to the instruction and to the testimony.” On the identity of the “instruction” and “testimony” see the notes at v. .
39 Heb “If they do not speak according to this word, [it is] because it has no light of dawn.” The literal translation suggests that “this word” refers to the instruction/testimony. However, it is likely that אִם־לֹא (’im-lo’) is asseverative here, as in 5:9. In this case “this word” refers to the quotation recorded in v. 19. For a discussion of the problem see J. N. Oswalt, Isaiah (), , n. 9. The singular pronoun in the second half of the verse is collective, referring back to the nation (see v. 19b).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Go to God’s instruction and testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there will be no dawn for them.

NLTNew Living Translation

Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

for teaching and for testimony?” surely they who speak like this have no dawn.

KJV 1900King James Version

To the law and to the testimony:

If they speak not according to this word,

It is because there is no light in them.

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