Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

◄ Isaiah 55:7 ►

New International Version
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

New Living Translation
Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

English Standard Version
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Berean Standard Bible
Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

King James Bible
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

New King James Version
Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

New American Standard Bible
Let the wicked abandon his way, And the unrighteous person his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

NASB 1995
Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

NASB 1977
Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

Legacy Standard Bible
Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to Yahweh, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

Amplified Bible
Let the wicked leave (behind) his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion (mercy) on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

Christian Standard Bible
Let the wicked one abandon his way and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, so he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will freely forgive.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Let the wicked one abandon his way and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, so He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will freely forgive.”

American Standard Version
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Contemporary English Version
Give up your evil ways and your evil thoughts. Return to the LORD our God. He will be merciful and forgive your sins.

English Revised Version
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Let wicked people abandon their ways. Let evil people abandon their thoughts. Let them return to the LORD, and he will show compassion to them. Let them return to our God, because he will freely forgive them.

Good News Translation
Let the wicked leave their way of life and change their way of thinking. Let them turn to the LORD, our God; he is merciful and quick to forgive.

International Standard Version
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous person his thoughts. Let him return to the LORD, So he'll have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he'll pardon abundantly.

Majority Standard Bible
Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

NET Bible
The wicked need to abandon their lifestyle and sinful people their plans. They should return to the LORD, and he will show mercy to them, and to their God, for he will freely forgive them.

New Heart English Bible
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Webster's Bible Translation
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

World English Bible
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to Yahweh, and he will have mercy on him, to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Let the wicked forsake his way, "" And the man of iniquity his thoughts, "" And he returns to YHWH, "" And He pities him, "" And to our God, "" For He multiplies to pardon.

Young's Literal Translation
Forsake doth the wicked his way, And the man of iniquity his thoughts, And he returneth to Jehovah, and He pitieth him, And unto our God for He multiplieth to pardon.

Smith's Literal Translation
The unjust one shall forsake his way, and the man of vanity his purposes, and turn back to Jehovah, and he will pity him, and to our God, for he will multiply to forgive.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unjust man his thoughts, and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God: for he is bountiful to forgive.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Let the impious one abandon his way, and the iniquitous man his thoughts, and let him return to the Lord, and he will take pity on him, and to our God, for he is great in forgiveness.

New American Bible
Let the wicked forsake their way, and sinners their thoughts; Let them turn to the LORD to find mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.

New Revised Standard Version
let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Let the sinner forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And whenever he comes near, the sinner shall forsake his way, and an evil man his thoughts, and he shall return to me and I shall show love upon him, and to our God, for he is abundant with forgiving

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Let the wicked forsake his way, And the man of iniquity his thoughts; And let him return unto the LORD, and He will have compassion upon him, And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon

Brenton Septuagint Translation
let the ungodly leave his ways, and the transgressor his counsels: and let him return to the Lord, and he shall find mercy; for he shall abundantly pardon your sins.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Invitation to the Needy
…6Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. 7Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. 8“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Ezekiel 18:21-23
But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. / None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. Because of the righteousness he has practiced, he will live. / Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?

Joel 2:12-13
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Jeremiah 3:12-14
Go, proclaim this message toward the north: ‘Return, O faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will no longer look on you with anger, for I am merciful,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will not be angry forever. / Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the LORD your God. You have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every green tree and have not obeyed My voice,’” declares the LORD. / “Return, O faithless children,” declares the LORD, “for I am your master, and I will take you—one from a city and two from a family—and bring you to Zion.

Psalm 32:5
Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

Psalm 51:1-3
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. / Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. / For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

Hosea 14:1-2
Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity. / Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.

Micah 7:18-19
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? / He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.

2 Chronicles 7:14
and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Jeremiah 29:12-14
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. / You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. / I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore you from captivity and gather you from all the nations and places to which I have banished you, declares the LORD. I will restore you to the place from which I sent you into exile.”

Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Matthew 3:2
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Luke 15:7
I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.

Luke 15:18-20
I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ / So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

Treasury of Scripture

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

the wicked

Isaiah 1:16-18
Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; …

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Proverbs 28:13
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

unrighteous man.

Genesis 6:5
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Psalm 66:18
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Jeremiah 4:14
O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

for

Isaiah 43:25
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Isaiah 44:22
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

Exodus 34:6,7
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, …

abundantly.

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Isaiah 55

1. The prophet, with the promises of Christ, calls to faith
6. And to repentance
8. The happy success of those who believe

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

Let the wicked man forsake his way
This phrase calls for a complete turning away from sinful behavior. In biblical context, "wicked" refers to those who live in opposition to God's laws. The call to forsake one's way is a common theme in the prophetic books, urging repentance and a change of lifestyle. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative of repentance, as seen in the story of Nineveh in Jonah 3:10, where the people turned from their evil ways and God relented from sending disaster.

and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Here, the focus shifts from actions to thoughts, emphasizing that true repentance involves a transformation of the mind. This echoes the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, where He highlights the importance of inner purity (Matthew 5:28). The Hebrew understanding of "thoughts" includes intentions and desires, indicating that God desires a holistic change in individuals.

let him return to the LORD,
The concept of returning to the LORD is central to the message of the prophets. It implies a restoration of the covenant relationship between God and His people. This return is not just physical but spiritual, involving a heartfelt commitment to follow God's ways. The call to return is reminiscent of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32, where the son returns to his father, symbolizing repentance and reconciliation.

that He may have compassion,
God's compassion is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, highlighting His mercy and willingness to forgive. This compassion is not earned but is a part of God's character, as seen in Exodus 34:6, where God describes Himself as "compassionate and gracious." The assurance of God's compassion provides hope for those who repent.

and to our God,
The phrase "our God" emphasizes the personal relationship between God and His people. It reflects the covenantal bond established with Israel, as seen in Deuteronomy 29:12-13. This relationship is not exclusive to Israel but extends to all who seek God, as indicated in the New Testament (Romans 10:12).

for He will freely pardon.
The promise of free pardon underscores the grace of God. Unlike human forgiveness, which may come with conditions, God's pardon is given freely to those who repent. This is a precursor to the New Testament message of salvation through grace, as articulated in Ephesians 2:8-9. The assurance of pardon is a cornerstone of Christian faith, offering peace and reconciliation with God.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Wicked Man
Represents those who live in sin and rebellion against God's ways.

2. The Unrighteous Man
Refers to individuals whose thoughts and intentions are not aligned with God's righteousness.

3. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is merciful and willing to forgive.

4. Return to the LORD
An invitation for repentance and turning back to God.

5. Compassion and Pardon
God's promise of mercy and forgiveness to those who repent.

Teaching Points

Call to Repentance
God calls everyone to forsake their sinful ways and thoughts. This requires a conscious decision to turn away from sin and towards God.

God's Compassion
The Hebrew word for compassion, "racham," implies a deep, tender mercy. God is not only willing to forgive but does so with a loving heart.

Assurance of Pardon
God's promise to "freely pardon" is unconditional for those who genuinely repent. This is a testament to His grace and mercy.

Transformation of Mind and Heart
True repentance involves a change in both actions and thoughts. Aligning our thoughts with God's righteousness is crucial.

Invitation to All
The invitation to return to God is open to everyone, regardless of past sins. God's grace is sufficient for all who seek Him.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. - Let the wicked forsake his way; i.e. his mode of life. A general promise of forgiveness of sin upon repentance and amendment of life was first given to Israel through Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:14). The doctrine is largely preached by the prophets; but is nowhere more distinctly and emphatically laid down than in this place. God's will is to "multiply pardon," if man will only turn to him.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Let the wicked man
רָשָׁע֙ (rā·šā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

forsake
יַעֲזֹ֤ב (ya·‘ă·zōḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

his own way
דַּרְכּ֔וֹ (dar·kōw)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

and the unrighteous
אָ֖וֶן (’ā·wen)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 205: Strictly nothingness, trouble, vanity, wickedness, an idol

man
וְאִ֥ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

his own thoughts;
מַחְשְׁבֹתָ֑יו (maḥ·šə·ḇō·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan

let him return
וְיָשֹׁ֤ב (wə·yā·šōḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the LORD,
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

that He may have compassion,
וִֽירַחֲמֵ֔הוּ (wî·ra·ḥă·mê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7355: To fondle, to love, to compassionate

and to
וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

our God,
אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

He will freely
יַרְבֶּ֥ה (yar·beh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

pardon.
לִסְלֽוֹחַ׃ (lis·lō·w·aḥ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5545: To forgive, pardon

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OT Prophets: Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way (Isa Isi Is)