Isaiah 53 (NLT)

12 verses · New Living Translation · Dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought)

The NLT renders the original texts into clear, natural English, prioritizing meaning over word-for-word correspondence. It is excellent for devotional reading and for those new to the Bible, making ancient truths immediately understandable.

Isaiah Chapter 53 contains 12 verses and is presented here in the New Living Translation (NLT), which uses a dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) approach. Read the full text below, compare with other translations, or navigate to any of the 66 chapters in Isaiah.

NIVKJVESVMSGNASB
Chapter 52Chapter 54

1Who has believed our message?To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm?

2My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot,like a root in dry ground.There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,nothing to attract us to him.

3He was despised and rejected —a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.He was despised, and we did not care.

4Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;it was our sorrows that weighed him down.And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,a punishment for his own sins!

5But he was pierced for our rebellion,crushed for our sins.He was beaten so we could be whole.He was whipped so we could be healed.

6All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.We have left God’s paths to follow our own.Yet the LORD laid on himthe sins of us all.

7He was oppressed and treated harshly,yet he never said a word.He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,he did not open his mouth.

8Unjustly condemned,he was led away.No one cared that he died without descendants,that his life was cut short in midstream.But he was struck downfor the rebellion of my people.

9He had done no wrongand had never deceived anyone.But he was buried like a criminal;he was put in a rich man’s grave.

10But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush himand cause him grief.Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,he will have many descendants.He will enjoy a long life,and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands.

11When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,he will be satisfied.And because of his experience,my righteous servant will make it possiblefor many to be counted righteous,for he will bear all their sins.

12I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,because he exposed himself to death.He was counted among the rebels.He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.

Chapter 52Read in NIVChapter 54

About This Translation

What is Isaiah 53 in the NLT?

Isaiah 53 in the New Living Translation (NLT) contains 12 verses. The NLT uses a dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) approach, first published in 1996 (rev. 2015).

How does the NLT translate Isaiah 53 differently?

The New Living Translation uses dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought), balancing accuracy with modern readability. Compare this with the NIV (dynamic equivalence) version of Isaiah 53 for a different perspective.

How many verses are in Isaiah 53 (NLT)?

Isaiah Chapter 53 contains 12 verses in the New Living Translation. The book of Isaiah has 66 chapters total.

Isaiah (NLT) — All 66 Chapters