Zion shall be redeemed by justice: The promise here is given to Zion, which refers to the city of Jerusalem and its people (see verse 8). They shall be redeemed, that is, they will be rescued or saved, presumably by the LORD (see Good News Translation). This rescue will be accomplished by justice—but whose justice? The context seems to indicate that it is the people’s own just living. If they restore justice by following the commands of verse 17, then they will be rescued. This interpretation is in contrast with the understanding in Good News Translation, which says “the LORD is righteous” (justice and righteousness are combined in Good News Translation). Contemporary English Version translates this line according to the view that Jerusalem will be redeemed through its own justice: “Jerusalem, you will be saved by showing justice.” However, Contemporary English Version adds the following footnote: “by showing justice: Or ‘by my saving power.’” Both interpretations are possible, but the first one is the more likely. Bible en français courant has “Deliverance will come for Zion when she will respect justice.”
The Hebrew verb translated redeemed means “pay a ransom” or “buy someone’s freedom [from death or slavery]”; it is not the usual verb for “save,” although it is possible to translate it that way, as Good News Translation has done. In the present context we may ask: “redeemed from what?” The answer lies back in verses 7-8, where the prophet says the nation of Judah is destroyed by enemies. This situation will change if its people learn once again to practice justice in all they do. In languages where the verb redeemed needs to be expressed more fully, translators may say “saved from their enemies,” “… from punishment,” or even “… from [the power of] evil.” They should avoid “saved from sin/guilt,” which would probably show the influence of New Testament theology.
And those in her who repent, by righteousness: In this line there is no verb since redeemed is implied from the first line. Those in her who repent describes the people of Jerusalem who have had a change of heart. They will be redeemed because of their newly found righteousness. This line supports the view that the first line refers to the justice of the people.
Repent renders the same Hebrew verb that begins verses 25 and 26. However, here it occurs in a different form with a slightly different meaning. Here the “[re]turning” refers to a change of heart in the people themselves, rather than to an action by Yahweh. This subtle use of different senses of the same Hebrew verb root is not easy to convey in many translations. But translators should be aware of the masterful use of language found in this book. Those in her who repent may be rendered “those who return [to God].” (Revised English Bible has “her returning people,” and New Jerusalem Bible says “those who return.” These renderings imply a reference to the people returning from exile. According to this view, which is not shared by all commentators, verses 27-31 are a late addition to the remainder of chapter 1.)
By righteousness gives the righteousness of the people as the reason for their being rescued. This is the most likely interpretation. It is parallel to by justice. The Hebrew word translated righteousness has a slightly different form from that used in the previous verse. It is a feminine form and often means “salvation” or “rescue” (New Jerusalem Bible “saving justice”). It indicates the close relationship between righteousness and salvation. There are several examples of this relationship throughout the book.
Translation examples for this verse are:
• The people of Zion will be rescued by their return to justice,
those there who repent, by their return to righteousness.
• Zion will be saved through living justly,
those in her who repent will be saved by their righteousness.
• Justice will save Zion,
and righteousness will save those in her who repent.
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 .