The connector Therefore provides a link with the previous section. Because of what will happen to the leaders in Samaria, the leaders in Jerusalem must pay attention to the LORD’s words.

Hear the word of the LORD is a command. As elsewhere, Good News Translation avoids the abstract phrase the word of the LORD by saying “what the LORD is saying” (see 1.10).

You scoffers, who rule this people in Jerusalem!: A scoffer is someone who despises and mocks a person and his message. The leaders in Jerusalem directly mock the prophet and his message, but they also mock Yahweh indirectly since the prophet speaks on behalf of him. For this people, see verse 11.

Translation examples for this verse are:

• So now listen closely to what Yahweh says, you who mock me, who are rulers of this people in Jerusalem!

• Therefore, you who scorn me, who have authority over this people in Jerusalem, listen to Yahweh’s word!

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 .