Yahweh begins to speak here, so Good News Translation makes this clear by beginning with “The LORD says” (also Contemporary English Version, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch; similarly Bible en français courant). Other languages may find this helpful.

Behold draws attention to and emphasizes the LORD’s words that follow. New International Version and New Revised Standard Version render it “See,” but Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, and Bible en français courant omit it. If possible, translators should express it in some way.

My servant shall prosper is the first of four positive statements in this verse. Yahweh’s speech opens with a promise of success and exaltation for his suffering servant. For my servant, see the introductory comments on this section [52.13–53.12]; see also the comments on 20.3 and 41.8. My servant forms an inclusio for this song since it is repeated in 53.11. The Hebrew verb rendered prosper also means “to be wise,” so New International Version has “act wisely.” By being wise a person can expect to enjoy success and prosperity. This is a constant theme in the book of Proverbs (see, for example, 3.1-2). For this verb Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version have “succeed,” and Revised English Bible says “achieve success” (similarly Bible en français courant). The nature of that success is not stated until the close of the song in 53.10-12.

He shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high: The three Hebrew verbs here are roughly synonymous but appear to increase in intensity, making this a very forceful message. The verbs indicate that the servant will be praised and honored (so Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible). In Good News Translation some of the emphasis is lost since it combines the three verbs into one, saying “he will be highly honored” (similarly Bible en français courant). Some languages can keep the emphasis by adding adverbs or ideophones. For languages that prefer the active voice for the passive verbs be exalted and lifted up, translators may specify Yahweh as the agent (see the third example below).

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• See, my servant will be successful,
he will be honored, raised up, and held high.

• Look, my servant will be full of wisdom;
he will be greatly and highly honored.

• See, my servant will be successful;
I will honor him, raising him up to great heights.

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 .