Who confirms the word of his servant means God ensures that the predictions of his servant come true. This contrasts with what he does for those who think they are wise in the previous verse. He fulfills what his servant predicts since this person speaks on his behalf. The verb confirms may be rendered “fulfills.” His servant refers specifically to Cyrus. New International Version, Revised English Bible, and New American Bible emend the Hebrew text to read “servants” instead of servant. They do this so that it provides a better parallel with the plural “messengers” in the next line. But there is insufficient textual support for this reading, so we recommend that translators use the singular (so Hebrew Old Testament Text Project). For this whole line Bible en français courant has “but I carry out what my servant has said.” Bible en français courant changes his servant to “my servant” (also Good News Translation) since God is speaking. Other languages may find this adjustment helpful.

And performs the counsel of his messengers is parallel to the previous line. God also fulfills the advice of his messengers since they speak on his behalf. Performs is rendered “fulfills” in New International Version and “bring about” in Revised English Bible. Good News Translation combines this verb with the parallel verb confirms, saying “make … come true.” Counsel is translated “plans” in Good News Translation, Revised English Bible and Bible en français courant, and “prediction[s]” in New Revised Standard Version and New International Version. All these are valid models. Some languages may prefer to render his messengers as “my messengers” (Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant) since God is speaking.

Who says of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be inhabited’: This line provides the first detail of Yahweh’s plans. Jerusalem was left in ruins after the Babylonian victory, but the LORD assures his people in exile that they will live in Jerusalem again. The Hebrew verb rendered who says occurs two more times in this section (verses 27 and 28). It underlines that the promises here come from God. Who says of Jerusalem may also be rendered “who says to Jerusalem” (so Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible), but this is less likely since Jerusalem is referred to in the third person in the following quote. She shall be inhabited means people will live in Jerusalem again. The pronoun She refers to Jerusalem. In Hebrew a city is grammatically feminine.

And of the cities of Judah, ‘They shall be built, and I will raise up their ruins’: Not only will the city of Jerusalem be reestablished, but all the other towns in Judah that were destroyed by the Babylonians will be rebuilt. God will restore the whole southern kingdom (compare 49.19). Similar to the previous line, New Jerusalem Bible renders and of the cities of Judah as “and to the towns of Judah” (similarly Good News Translation), which is less valid since the towns of Judah are referred to in the third person in the following quote. In this context built is better rendered “rebuilt” (Good News Translation) or “built again.”

And I will raise up their ruins means God will ensure that the ruined cities of Judah are rebuilt. This clause is literally “and her ruins I will raise them up,” so it may refer only to the ruins of Jerusalem. The Hebrew verb rendered raise up is the same one translated confirms in the first line, so it forms an inclusio for this verse.

There are two embedded quotes within the LORD’s speech in the last three lines of this verse. Good News Translation uses indirect speech for them, which other languages may find helpful (see also the last two examples below).

Translation examples for this verse are:

• I confirm what my servant says,
and carry out the words of my messengers.
I say concerning Jerusalem, ‘It will be inhabited again,’
and concerning the towns of Judah, ‘They will be rebuilt,
their ruins I will repair.’

• I make what my servant says come true,
and I fulfill what my messengers predict.
I ensure that Jerusalem will be inhabited again,
that the towns of Judah will be rebuilt
and their ruins repaired.

• I accomplish what my servant says,
and carry out the predictions of my messengers.
I say the people will live in Jerusalem again,
rebuilding the towns throughout Judah
and restoring their ruins.

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 .