Tell the righteous: Although the imperative verb Tell generally fits the context well, there are some English translations that make a minor change to the Hebrew text and begin with “Happy [are]” (Revised English Bible, New American Bible; similarly Good News Translation). Such a change makes a contrast with “Woe” in verses 9 and 11. However, since there is no textual evidence for this change, we caution against making it. Most modern versions accept Masoretic Text, which is the choice recommended by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project. De~Waard makes an interesting interpretation of Tell. He suggests that it expresses reflection or thought, so possible renderings are “Think” and “Take into consideration.”
The righteous refers to those who obey God’s laws. New Revised Standard Version says “the innocent,” meaning those innocent of the accusations mentioned earlier. They are innocent because they have been doing the right things.
That it shall be well with them: That introduces the content of what should be said. It does not mean “because,” although the translations that begin the verse with “Happy [are]” translate it in that sense. The clause it shall be well with them renders the single Hebrew word for “good.” It states that only good things will happen to them, or that they will avoid the disasters that will come to sinners (verse 9). Good News Translation has “things will go well for them.” A modern-day idiomatic English expression for this is “they’ll be OK!”
For they shall eat the fruit of their deeds: For introduces the reason that everything goes well for the righteous. The metaphor eat the fruit refers to enjoying the benefits of or receiving the rewards for something, in this case, their deeds. The implication is that their deeds are good or righteous deeds. The innocent will enjoy the benefits of living justly.
Some languages may prefer using direct speech in this verse. In such a case Contemporary English Version provides a good model: “Tell those who obey God, ‘You’re very fortunate—you will be rewarded for what you have done.’” This model also expresses eat the fruit nonfiguratively.
Translation examples for this verse are:
• Think how fortunate the innocent [ones] are,
they will enjoy the benefits of their labor.
• Announce to the righteous ones
that everything will be fine [for them],
because they will enjoy the outcome of their good deeds.
• Tell the righteous,
“Everything will go well for you,
because you will enjoy the benefits of your good acts.”
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 .