The connector Or indicates that this verse expresses an alternative to the previous two lines about attacking the briers and thorns. The alternative is for Israel’s enemies to turn to Yahweh for protection and make peace with him. For the contrast here Good News Translation begins with “But” while Revised English Bible and Bible en français courant use “unless.” New Revised Standard Version has “Or else,” which fits the context of an alternative action better than Or.

Let them lay hold of my protection is literally “let him grab on to my place of refuge.” Yahweh invites these enemies to accept his protection. The pronoun them throughout this verse is masculine singular in Hebrew. It clearly refers to Israel’s enemies here, so them is a good rendering. For the Hebrew word rendered protection, see the comments on 25.4, where it is translated “stronghold.”

Let them make peace with me, let them make peace with me: Yahweh also invites them to make peace with him. He expresses this wish twice for emphasis. Revised English Bible and Bible en français courant begin with the connector “and” to show the implied connection between these lines and the previous one.

Our suggestions for the translation of this verse are:

• Otherwise let them turn to me for protection;
let them make peace with me,
let them make their peace with me.”

• Or else let them accept my protection,
and make their peace with me;
let them make peace with me.”

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 .