Chiastic Structures
The Old Testament
Chiastic Parallels
Remove Text Formatting Display Text Formatting
Printable Webpage

A

8 Let go the people who are blind, yet have eyes,
who are deaf, yet have ears. 9 When all nations unitedly assembled,
when the peoples were gathered together, who among them foretold these things,
or predicted events that have come to pass? Let them bring their witnesses
and justify themselves, that those within hearing may say, It is true.
10 But you are my witnesses, says Jehovah,
my servant whom I have chosen, to the end that you may recognize it and believe me,
and perceive that I was the one who foretold them—

B

before me no god was formed,
nor shall one exist after me. 11 I myself am Jehovah;
apart from me there is no savior. 12 It is I who foretold and wrought salvation,
making it known when there was no strange god among you. You are my witnesses, says Jehovah,
that I am divine, 13 that from the first I have been present—
from my hand none can deliver; when I work, who can thwart it?

C

14 Thus says Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel,
your Redeemer: For your sake I launch an attack on Babylon
and bring down as fugitives all the Chaldeans, they who sing the praises of shipping.

D

15 I Jehovah, your Holy One,
Creator of Israel, am your King.

E

16 Thus says Jehovah—
who provides a way in the Sea, a path through the mighty waters, 17 who dispatches chariots and horses,
armies of men in full strength; they lie down as one, to rise no more,
they flicker and die, snuffed out like a wick— 18 Never mind the prophecies of bygone events;
do not dwell on things of the past. 19 See, I do a new thing; it is now springing up.
Surely, you are aware of it: I am making roads through the desert,
streams in the wasteland. 20 The wild beasts do me honor,
the jackals and birds of prey, for bringing water to the wilderness,
streams to the dry land, that I may give drink to my chosen people,

F

21 the people I formed for myself to speak out in praise of me.

G

22 But you do not call upon me, O Jacob;
you have grown weary of me, O Israel.

H

23 Yet I required not that you bring me
offerings from your flocks or pay me homage by sacrificial slaughter; I have not burdened you with oblations
or wearied you with burning incense. 24 Nor have I burdened you to buy me
the fragrant calamus or sate me with the fat of immolations. Yet you have burdened me with your sins,
wearied me with your iniquities.

I

25 But it is I myself, and for my own sake,
who blot out your offenses, remembering your sins no more.

H'

26 Recount for me the past;
let us plead each our case. Speak up and vindicate yourself. 27 Your first father transgressed;
your spokesmen sinned against me.

G'

28 Therefore I let the holy cities be profaned;
I gave Jacob to be ostracized, Israel to execration. 1 Hear now, Jacob my servant,
and Israel whom I have chosen.

F'

2 Thus says Jehovah, your Maker,
who formed you from the womb and succored you:

E'

Be not afraid, O Jacob, my servant,
and Jeshurun whom I have chosen. 3 I will pour water on the thirsty soil,
showers upon the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
my blessing upon your posterity. 4 They shall shoot up like grass
among streams of water, like willows by running brooks.

D'

5 One will say, I am Jehovah’s,
and another name himself Jacob. Yet others will inscribe on their arm, To Jehovah,
and adopt the name Israel. 6 Thus says Jehovah, the King of Israel,

C'

Jehovah of Hosts, their Redeemer:

B'

I was at the first and I am at the last;
apart from me there is no God.

A'

7 Who predicts what happens as do I,
and is the equal of me in appointing a people from of old as types,
foretelling things to come? 8 Be not perturbed or shaken.
Have I not made it known to you from of old? Did I not foretell it, you being my witnesses?
Is there a God, then, apart from me? There is no Rock unknown to me.