3:5

There are two ways to interpret the clauses in this verse:

(1) They describe things that should or must be done. For example:

Every valley must be filled up (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (1996))

(2) They describe things that will be done. For example:

Every valley will be filled (God’s Word)

(New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004))

English versions that use “shall” are ambiguous (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, King James Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, English Standard Version).

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It fits the context of John’s preaching that the people should repent and that their lives must show their repentance.

3:5a

In this verse, Isaiah continued to use the metaphor about preparing the Lord’s way. In the metaphor, the valleys must be filled in so that the road would be level. There are several possible interpretations of this metaphor, so it is good to not be too specific about the meaning here.

Every valley shall be filled in: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as shall be filled in is passive. In some languages it may be more natural to translate this clause without using a passive verb. For example:

Every valley must become full
-or-
All the valleys must no longer be deep

In some languages it may be necessary to say who must or will fill up the valleys. Scholars have two main views about this:

(1) People must fill up the valleys. For example:

⌊People/You⌋ must fill every valley
-or-
Fill up every valley (Contemporary English Version)

(2) God will fill up the valleys. For example:

⌊God⌋ will fill every valley

In a sense, both interpretations are true. However, if you must choose, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The context focuses on the people’s actions that prepare for the Lord and show their repentance.

valley: A valley refers to a low area of land between hills or mountains. In this context it is a low place that contrasts with the hills and mountains.

filled in: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as filled in indicates that the valleys should be made level by filling them with dirt and stones.

3:5b

In this part of the verse Isaiah continued to use metaphors about preparing the road. He indicated that the mountains and hills on the path/road should be made low. The mountains should be lowered and the valleys be filled so that the road would be level. Translate this part of the verse in a way that fits well with 3:5a.

and every mountain and hill made low: In this clause some words are implied before the phrase made low. For example:

and every mountain and hill should be made flat. (New Century Version)

This clause refers to taking soil from a hill or mountain and putting it in a lower place so that the road will be level. Another way to say this are:

and every mountain and hill must be leveled.

As in 3:5a, it may be more natural in some languages to translate this without using a passive verb. For example:

Every mountain and hill must become level/flat.
-or-
and level the mountains and hills! (New Living Translation (1996))

made low: In this context the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as made low refers to making something level or flat. In other contexts this word can also refer to proud people being made humble or humbling themselves. If your language has a verb that can be used in both of these contexts, you may be able to use it here. In some languages it may be possible to express this idea figuratively. For example:

Every ⌊proud⌋ hill and mountain must be flattened/humbled.

3:5c

This part of the verse continues to use the metaphor of preparing a road to symbolize how people repent to prepare for the Lord. Isaiah mentioned other things that must be done to the road. You should connect 3:5c and 3:5b in a way that is natural in your language.

The crooked ways shall be made straight: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The crooked ways shall be made straight is literally “and the crooked will be into straight.” The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word ways. Other words such as “paths” or “roads” would also fit here. For example:

Winding paths must be made straight
-or-
The crooked roads should become straight
-or-
Straighten the curves (New Living Translation (1996))

crooked…straight: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as crooked means “twisted, bent, curved.” The word that it translates as straight means “being in a direct line, not bent or curved.”

Both of these words can be used in a figurative way. The word crooked can refer to being morally bent or twisted, that is, dishonest, unrighteous, or unjust. The word straight can refer to being righteous and honest. If your language has words or idioms that could be used in either sense, you may be able to use them here.

3:5d

This part of the verse continues to use the metaphor of preparing a road to symbolize how people repent to prepare for the Lord. Translate it in a way that fits this metaphor and connects in a natural way with 3:5c.

and the rough ways smooth: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the rough ways smooth is more literally “and the rough into smooth roads.” This is an ellipsis. The full meaning is “and the rough ⌊roads⌋ ⌊should be made⌋ into smooth roads.” It indicates that the rough, uneven paths must be made flat and smooth.

Some other ways to say this are:

and rough roads should be made smooth (New Century Version)
-or-
and smooth out the rough roads (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
remove the uneven places from the roads to make them easy ⌊to travel on⌋

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