2 At that time the Lord’s plant[a] will be very beautiful and glorious. The people in Israel who survived will be very proud of what the land grows. 3 And all those who are left in Zion and Jerusalem will be called holy. Their names were on the list of people in Jerusalem who were allowed to live.
4 The Lord will wash away the filth[b] from the daughters of Zion.[c] He will wash away the blood from Jerusalem. With a spirit of judgment that burns like fire, he will make everything pure. 5 Then the Lord will create a cloud of smoke in the day and a bright flame of fire[d] at night over every building and over every meeting of the people on the mountain of Zion. And there will be a covering over everyone[e] for protection. 6 It will be a shelter to protect the people from the heat of the sun and from all kinds of storms and rain.
Footnotes
- Isaiah 4:2 the Lord’s plant This might refer to the country of Judah or to the future king or Messiah. See Isa. 5:7.
- Isaiah 4:4 wash away the filth This is like a special ceremony for washing away the blood after a menstrual period. After this a man and wife could have sexual relations.
- Isaiah 4:4 daughters of Zion This can refer either to the small towns around Jerusalem or to the women living there.
- Isaiah 4:5 cloud of smoke … fire The signs God used to show that he was with his people.
- Isaiah 4:5 everyone Literally, “glory,” but this can also mean “soul” or “person.” See Ps. 16:9.