Verses 12-16 contain sayings that mostly repeat ideas from earlier chapters, many of them as direct quotations. They have a number of images that heighten the promise of abundant prosperity for Jerusalem.

For thus says the LORD introduces Yahweh as the speaker for this new group of sayings (see the comments on 7.7). For languages that prefer indirect speech in verses 12-16, translators will need to change the first person pronouns referring to God to third person. The Hebrew particle ki rendered For is a logical connector here. It introduces the reasons why the people should rejoice concerning Jerusalem.

Behold, I will extend prosperity to her like a river: Yahweh’s promise here is similar to that in 48.18. The word Behold draws attention to what he is going to say. Most versions omit this word, but New Jerusalem Bible has “Look.” The Hebrew noun for prosperity (shalom) is usually rendered “peace,” but in this context it refers to material blessings. The verb extend pictures God offering riches with an outstretched hand. The pronoun her refers to Jerusalem, which Bible en français courant makes explicit by rendering this line as “I will direct toward Jerusalem a river of benefits.” The material blessings are compared to a river, which suggests they will be constant and abundant (compare 41.18; 43.19-20). For this line Revised English Bible has “I shall make prosperity flow over her like a river.”

And the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream includes in the promise of future prosperity that goods will come from the surrounding nations. The wealth of the nations is literally “the glory of the nations” (compare 60.5, 11; 61.6), referring to the riches of these nations. Like an overflowing stream is synonymous with like a river, referring to the permanence and abundance of the riches. The Hebrew expression for an overflowing stream refers to a desert wadi that is flooded by a rainstorm (see the comments on 30.28). New International Version says “a flooding stream,” and Bible en français courant has “a torrent that overflows.” Good News Translation changes the imagery slightly by saying “a river that never goes dry.”

In the following lines the imagery changes back to that of the close relationship between a mother and her child.

And you shall suck follows the Hebrew text of Masoretic Text. The Septuagint reads “their children,” but the majority of commentators prefer to emend Masoretic Text to read “her sucklings” (similarly Revised English Bible “her babes”). This provides a subject for the next two verbs. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project prefers Masoretic Text here, but de~Waard allows for either reading. Translators may follow the emended text as Revised English Bible does, or retain Masoretic Text as in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. Like Good News Translation, Bible en français courant changes the metaphor here into a simile, saying “I will take care of you like a mother does for the child that she nurses.” Other languages may find this helpful.

You shall be carried upon her hip: This pictures a mother carrying her child comfortably on her side. See the comments on 60.4, where the Hebrew expression for upon her hip is translated “in the arms.” Upon her hip (similarly New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant) is probably correct, rather than “in her arms” (Good News Translation), even though this latter expression is used in most English versions. In many cultures carrying a baby upon her hip would be equivalent to carrying it “on her back.” However, rather than introducing a custom that could be foreign to the biblical culture, it may be better to translate this clause with a general expression, such as “you will be carried the way a mother carries her child.”

And dandled upon her knees means their mother will play with them on her knees. The Hebrew verb rendered dandled refers to taking delight in something. If no verb in the sense of the English word “dandle” is available, translators may render this line as “and you will be held [or, played with] joyfully.” Good News Translation says “and treated with love,” but this is not specific enough.

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• Because this is what Yahweh says:
“Look, I will send blessings upon her [or, Jerusalem] like a river;
the wealth of nations will come to her like an overflowing torrent.
Her children will be carried on her hip,
and dandled upon her knees.

• For this is what Yahweh promises:
“See, I will make material blessings [or, good things] flow over her like a river;
goods from the nations will pour into her like a raging stream.
You will suck from her [or, She will feed you],
she will carry you on her hip,
and dandle [or, play with] you on her knees.

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 .