In Hebrew the second verb in this verse is a masculine plural imperative, but the others are feminine singular imperatives. This makes it difficult to determine the addressee here. However, in the context it is best to understand these commands as an appeal for help by the king of Moab and his people, to the king of Judah and his people. Good News Translation adds the introductory words, “They say to the people of Judah,” to make this explicit. Good News Translation also adds the pronouns “us” and “We” to give a personal touch to this request. Both these additions are valid, but as we noted in our comments on the previous verse, it is better to place the quotation frame there.

Give counsel is a request for advice. “Please give us your advice” or “Please tell us what to do” expresses the sense well.

Grant justice is literally “do a judgment.” In the present context this brief command seems to plead for fair treatment. New International Version has “render a decision,” and Revised English Bible says “intervene for us.” Both of these imply fair and favorable treatment.

Make your shade like night at the height of noon is a poetic expression asking for protection. Shade is used here to speak of protection (compare 4.6; Lam 4.20). The Moabites ask the people of Judah to protect them like night at the height of noon. By contrasting day with night, they ask for more than ordinary shade (protection); they want a shade that is so effective that it seems like being in the dark. The shade must provide full protection. If translators fear the images of the source text may not be well understood, Good News Translation provides a model that explains the deeper meaning, though perhaps a little too freely. A better model is “Protect us as if we were in a cool [dark] shadow in the heat of noon” or “Protect [or, Cover] us like a cool….”

Hide the outcasts asks for protection for those who have been driven out of their towns and villages; they do not want the enemy to find them. In this context the Hebrew word for outcasts refers to refugees who have been driven out of their homes (compare the comments at 11.12). Outcasts is not the best word to use here in English since it has a negative connotation of rejection and exclusion from one’s social group. For this line Revised English Bible says “Give the exiles shelter.” Many versions have “hide the/our refugees,” which can be spelled out more clearly as “hide those who are fleeing/running away from the enemy.”

Betray not the fugitive is literally “do not uncover the fugitive,” which is parallel to the previous line, but in a negative form. For natural style translators may choose to combine these last two lines, as in Good News Translation.

Consider the following translation examples for this verse:

• Please tell us what to do and be fair to us; may your protection be complete like full shade at noon; hide those of us who are cast out, do not betray us fugitives.

• Advise us please, be fair to us; let your shadow protect us completely just like noonday turning to night; hide our fugitives, do not betray those who have fled.

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 .