This verse emphasizes the fate of the wicked. They will never know the peace of God’s indwelling presence.

There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked: See the comments on 48.22, which is almost identical. The word peace forms an inclusio with verse 19, and so does the wicked with verse 20. My God (“the LORD” in 48.22) expresses the prophet’s close and intimate relationship with God. In languages where my God would indicate ownership in a literal sense, translators may say simply “God.” Good News Translation renders this verse in exactly the same way as 48.22, but it should differ a little since this verse uses my God instead of “the LORD.”

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• Wicked people will never be at peace,” says my God.

• God says that the wicked ones will never have peace.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .