Isaiah 40: Comfort, Comfort My People

God said, Comfort, comfort my people. Jerusalem's hard service was over and her sin was pardoned. A voice called out, Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness! Every valley would be raised and every mountain made low, and Yahweh's glory would be revealed. All people are like grass that withers, but the word of our God stands forever. The messenger was to say to Judah's cities, Behold, your God! God would feed his flock like a shepherd and carry the lambs in his arm. No one can compare with God, who measured the waters in his hand and calls each star by name. The everlasting God does not grow weary. He gives power to the weak, and those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength and mount up with wings like eagles.

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Read Isaiah 40

World English Bible · 31 verses

¹ “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² “Speak comfortably to Jerusalem, and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of Yahweh’s hand double for all her sins.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ The voice of one who calls out, “Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ Yahweh’s glory shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ The voice of one saying, “Cry out!” One said, “What shall I cry?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of the field.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ The grass withers, the flower fades, because Yahweh’s breath blows on it. Surely the people are like grass.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength! Lift it up! Don’t be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold, your God!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ Behold, the Lord Yahweh will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him. Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and marked off the sky with his span, and calculated the dust of the earth in a measuring basket, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ Who has directed Yahweh’s Spirit, or has taught him as his counselor?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ Who did he take counsel with, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ Behold, the nations are like a drop in a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on a balance. Behold, he lifts up the islands like a very little thing.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor its animals sufficient for a burnt offering.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ All the nations are like nothing before him. They are regarded by him as less than nothing, and vanity.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to him?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ A workman has cast an image, and the goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts silver chains for it.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ He who is too impoverished for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot. He seeks a skillful workman to set up a carved image for him that will not be moved.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? Haven’t you been told from the beginning? Haven’t you understood from the foundations of the earth?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ who brings princes to nothing, who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ They are planted scarcely. They are sown scarcely. Their stock has scarcely taken root in the ground. He merely blows on them, and they wither, and the whirlwind takes them away as stubble.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ “To whom then will you liken me? Who is my equal?” says the Holy One.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these, who brings out their army by number. He calls them all by name. By the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, not one is lacking.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ Why do you say, Jacob, and speak, Israel, “My way is hidden from Yahweh, and the justice due me is disregarded by my God”?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, Yahweh, the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint. He isn’t weary. His understanding is unsearchable.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young men utterly fall;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Isaiah 40 · Preschool

Like a Shepherd

Name Date

Color the shepherd carrying a little lamb. God carries us close.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young.”

Isaiah 40:11 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: A good shepherd carries little lambs in his arms. God takes care of us like that. In the New Testament, Jesus calls Himself the good shepherd (John 10:11). Let's practice saying: God carries me.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Isaiah 40 · Grade 4

Prepare the Way

Name Date

Read and Think

Isaiah 40 begins the second great part of the book with comfort. "Comfort, comfort my people," says your God. Jerusalem's "iniquity is pardoned." A voice calls, "Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God." In the New Testament, all four Gospels say John the Baptist was this voice, preparing the way for Jesus (Matthew 3:3, John 1:23).

People are like grass. "The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever." The messenger shouts to Judah's cities, "Behold, your God!" Though God is mighty, he is gentle: "He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom."

Who can compare with God? He "has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand." He brings out the stars and "calls them all by name." "The everlasting God, Yahweh, the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn't faint. He isn't weary." "He gives power to the weak." "Those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles."

Show What You Know

How does the second part of Isaiah begin?
Who was the voice preparing the way, according to the Gospels?
How is God both mighty and gentle?
What happens to those who wait for Yahweh?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

comfortgrassGod

Isaiah 40 begins the second great part of the book with .
People are like .
Who can compare with ?

Think About It

God doesn't faint. He isn't weary. When you feel tired or discouraged, how can you lean on God's strength?
God calls every star by name. How does this help you believe He knows and cares for you?

Memory Verse

The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever.”

Isaiah 40:8 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for renewing my strength. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

Isaiah said people are like grass that withers. How should knowing life is short shape how you spend your days?
God never grows tired. When do you need God's help most?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Isaiah 40 · Grade 5

The Everlasting God

Name Date

Read and Think

Isaiah 40 opens the second major section of the book (chapters 40-66), addressed to God's people facing exile in Babylon. After the warning of chapter 39, God's first word is double comfort: "Comfort, comfort my people," says your God. "Speak comfortably to Jerusalem," for "her warfare is accomplished" and "her iniquity is pardoned." A herald cries, "Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness!" like workers building a royal road. In the New Testament, Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4-6, and John 1:23 identify John the Baptist as this voice, preparing the way for Jesus.

Human strength is like grass, but "the word of our God stands forever." In the New Testament, 1 Peter 1:24-25 quotes this to describe the gospel. Zion becomes a herald of good news: "Behold, your God!" The Lord comes with power, yet "He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm." In the New Testament, Jesus calls himself the good shepherd (John 10:11).

The rest of the chapter answers the exiles' despair with a series of questions. Who "has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand"? Nations are "like a drop in a bucket." Idols must be fastened so they won't fall over. "To whom then will you liken God?" He "calls them all by name" to the stars, and "not one is lacking." Israel complained, "My way is hidden from Yahweh," but "The everlasting God, Yahweh, the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn't faint. He isn't weary. His understanding is unsearchable." The promise follows: "those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint."

Show What You Know

To whom are chapters 40-66 addressed?
Which New Testament passages identify the voice in the wilderness?
Where is The word of our God stands forever quoted in the New Testament?
What did Israel complain, and how did God answer?

Crossword

Across

And all its glory is like the ____ of the field.
He will feed his flock like a ____.

Down

He will gather the ____ in his arm.
Surely the people are like ____.
But the ____ of our God stands forever.

Think About It

Israel felt that their way was hidden from Yahweh. When have you felt unseen by God, and how does this chapter answer that feeling?
Waiting for Yahweh renews strength. What does it look like to wait on God in a busy, hurried world?

Memory Verse

“Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, Yahweh, the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint. He isn’t weary. His understanding is unsearchable.”

Isaiah 40:28 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for renewing my strength. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

Where is this chapter quoted in 1 Peter?
How can you rely on God when you feel worn out?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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Isaiah 40: Comfort, Comfort My People

Read Isaiah 40

Worksheets

Like a Shepherd

Prayer

Take It Home

God's Word Stands

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Wings Like Eagles

Trace the Words

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Wings Like Eagles

Prayer

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Comfort My People

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Behold, Your God!

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Wings Like Eagles

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Prepare the Way

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

The Everlasting God

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

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Prayer

Take It Home

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