Isaiah 4

¹Seven women will take hold of one man[#: deportation (cf. note on 3:1–12) would result in a disproportion of the sexes and leave the female population without enough male partners. The women are willing to marry, not for support, but to avoid disgrace.]

on that day, saying:

“We will eat our own food

and wear our own clothing;

Only let your name be given us,

put an end to our disgrace!”

²On that day,[#Usually judged a later addition to the oracles of Isaiah. It relieves the threatening tone of the surrounding chaps. 3 and 5.]

The branch of the Lord will be beauty and glory,

and the fruit of the land will be honor and splendor

for the survivors of Israel.

³Everyone who remains in Zion,

everyone left in Jerusalem

Will be called holy:

everyone inscribed for life in Jerusalem.

⁴When the Lord washes away

the filth of the daughters of Zion,

And purges Jerusalem’s blood from her midst

with a blast of judgment, a searing blast,

⁵Then will the Lord create,

over the whole site of Mount Zion

and over her place of assembly,

A smoking cloud by day

and a light of flaming fire by night.

⁶For over all, his glory will be shelter and protection:

shade from the parching heat of day,

refuge and cover from storm and rain.