Yahweh condemns the people for their inappropriate response. Some languages may prefer to use an indirect quote for Yahweh’s words (see the first example below).
The LORD of hosts has revealed himself in my ears is literally “Yahweh of hosts has uncovered my ears.” He has made known to the prophet what he will do. Here he reveals his message through speech, not through a vision as in the beginning of the oracle. However, we know from 2.1 and 21.2 that a vision and hearing a message are closely linked. This clause may be rendered “Yahweh of hosts has informed/told me.” Good News Translation has “The Sovereign LORD Almighty spoke to me and said.”
Surely this iniquity will not be forgiven you till you die is a strong affirmation that Yahweh will not forgive the people’s actions. Translators can express this by using an adverb like “assuredly” or a strong negative such as “never.” This iniquity refers back to the sinful response of the people, who celebrated instead of mourning. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “This guilt,” which is very appropriate. The Hebrew verb rendered forgiven comes from a root meaning “to cover.” This verb may have been chosen to create a literary balance with the “uncovering” of the prophet’s ears. The passive verb be forgiven can be made active by identifying Yahweh as the agent (see the second example below). Till you die picks up the theme of death from the previous verse (“for tomorrow we die”). The people’s guilt will never be removed, except by death. “Till your dying day” in New International Version is a good idiomatic rendering in English. Good News Translation is also helpful with “as long as they live.”
Says the Lord GOD of hosts closes the oracle in a traditional manner; see 3.15.
Translation examples for this verse are:
• Yahweh of hosts has informed me that this guilt/sin/misdeed of yours will never be removed/forgiven, not until you are dead! This is what my Master, Yahweh of hosts, has said.
• Here is what Yahweh of hosts has revealed to me:
“There is no way that I will remove this guilt from you as long as you live!”
My Master, Yahweh of hosts, has spoken.
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 .