The first two lines of this verse have two more negated verbs, but the last line is a positive statement about Yahweh’s servant.

A bruised reed he will not break is a figure of speech referring to the gentleness and compassion of the servant. He will not be like someone who breaks off a damaged plant. He will care for people who are weak and suffering. Bruised reed is literally “crushed reed” (New Jerusalem Bible). For the Hebrew expression here, see the comments on 36.6, where the same one is translated “broken reed.” In this context it is a metaphor for someone who is in trouble. Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version say “bent reed.” If a reed is not known in the receptor language, this line may be rendered “He will not break off a damaged plant.”

And a dimly burning wick he will not quench is another image for the kindness of the servant toward those in need. He also will not be like someone who blows out the dying flame of a lamp. A dimly burning wick refers to a burning wick of an oil lamp that is flickering and about to go out. Here it is another metaphor for someone in trouble. Instead of quench, Good News Translation says “put out,” while New International Version, Revised English Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible use “snuff [out].” For cultures that do not use oil lamps, an alternative model for this line is “nor will he extinguish a flickering candle.”

He will faithfully bring forth justice is a positive statement that summarizes the servant’s mission. He will ensure that justice is done. This line is similar to the last line of verse 1 to emphasize a point. The adverb faithfully is literally “for truth,” which means “truly/certainly” in this context. For this whole line Revised English Bible has “unfailingly he will establish justice.” Contemporary English Version is similar with “but he will make sure that justice is done.” Some commentators believe this line means he will make justice known as truth, but this sense is less likely.

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• A crushed stalk he will not break off,
nor a faltering wick will he snuff out.
He will make sure fair judgment is rendered.

• He will not break a bent reed,
and he will not extinguish a flickering candle,
but he will faithfully execute justice.

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 .