Isaiah 51:6
New International Version
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.

New Living Translation
Look up to the skies above, and gaze down on the earth below. For the skies will disappear like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing. The people of the earth will die like flies, but my salvation lasts forever. My righteous rule will never end!

English Standard Version
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.

Berean Standard Bible
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail.

King James Bible
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

New King James Version
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, And look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, The earth will grow old like a garment, And those who dwell in it will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not be abolished.

New American Standard Bible
“Raise your eyes to the sky, Then look to the earth beneath; For the sky will vanish like smoke, And the earth will wear out like a garment And its inhabitants will die in the same way. But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not fail.

NASB 1995
“Lift up your eyes to the sky, Then look to the earth beneath; For the sky will vanish like smoke, And the earth will wear out like a garment And its inhabitants will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not wane.

NASB 1977
“Lift up your eyes to the sky, Then look to the earth beneath; For the sky will vanish like smoke, And the earth will wear out like a garment, And its inhabitants will die in like manner, But My salvation shall be forever, And My righteousness shall not wane.

Legacy Standard Bible
Lift up your eyes to the sky, Then look to the earth beneath; For the sky will vanish like smoke, And the earth will wear out like a garment, And its inhabitants will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not be dismayed.

Amplified Bible
“Lift up your eyes to the heavens, Then look to the earth beneath; For the heavens will be torn to pieces and vanish like smoke, And the earth will wear out like a garment And its inhabitants will die in like manner. But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness (justice) [and faithfully fulfilled promise] will not be broken.

Christian Standard Bible
Look up to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its inhabitants will die like gnats. But my salvation will last forever, and my righteousness will never be shattered.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Look up to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its inhabitants will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never be shattered.

American Standard Version
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment; and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Contemporary English Version
Look closely at the sky! Stare at the earth. The sky will vanish like smoke; the earth will wear out like clothes. Everyone on this earth will die like flies. But my victory will last; my saving power never ends.

English Revised Version
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Look at the sky. Look at the earth below. The sky will vanish like smoke. The earth will wear out like clothing, and those who live there will die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, and my righteousness will never fail.

Good News Translation
Look up at the heavens; look at the earth! The heavens will disappear like smoke; the earth will wear out like old clothing, and all its people will die like flies. But the deliverance I bring will last forever; my victory will be final.

International Standard Version
"Lift up your eyes, you heavens and look to the earth beneath; and see who created these. Its inhabitants will die just like this; but my salvation will be forever, and my deliverance will never fail.

Majority Standard Bible
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail.

NET Bible
Look up at the sky! Look at the earth below! For the sky will dissipate like smoke, and the earth will wear out like clothes; its residents will die like gnats. But the deliverance I give is permanent; the vindication I provide will not disappear.

New Heart English Bible
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment; and those who dwell in it shall die in the same way: but my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Webster's Bible Translation
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall become old like a garment, and its inhabitants shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

World English Bible
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish away like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a garment. Its inhabitants will die in the same way, but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will not be abolished.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, "" And look attentively to the earth beneath, "" For the heavens have vanished as smoke, "" And the earth wears out as a garment, "" And its inhabitants die as gnats, "" And My salvation is for all time, "" And My righteousness is not broken.

Young's Literal Translation
Lift ye up to the heavens your eyes, And look attentively unto the earth beneath, For the heavens as smoke have vanished, And the earth as a garment weareth out, And its inhabitants as gnats do die, And My salvation is to the age, And My righteousness is not broken.

Smith's Literal Translation
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look to the earth from beneath: for the heavens as smoke vanished away, and the earth as a garment shall decay, and they inhabiting as thus shall die; and my salvation shall be forever, and my justice shall not be broken.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Lift up your eyes to heaven, and look down to the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish like smoke, and the earth shall be worn away like a garment, and the inhabitants thereof shall perish in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my justice shall not fail.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Lift up your eyes to heaven, and look down to the earth below. For the heavens will vanish like smoke, and the earth will be worn away like a garment, and its inhabitants will pass away in like manner. But my salvation will be forever, and my justice will not fail.

New American Bible
Raise your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth below; Though the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies, My salvation shall remain forever and my victory shall always be firm.

New Revised Standard Version
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and those who live on it will die like gnats; but my salvation will be forever, and my deliverance will never be ended.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look also upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it shall perish in like manner; but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not pass away.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Lift up your eyes to Heaven and gaze also beneath in the earth, because Heaven shall pass away as smoke and Earth shall grow old as clothing, and its inhabitants shall be like it, and my salvation shall be to eternity and my righteousness shall not pass away
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, And look upon the earth beneath; For the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, And the earth shall wax old like a garment, And they that dwell therein shall die in like manner; But My salvation shall be for ever, And My favour shall not be abolished.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Lift up your eyes to the sky, and look on the earth beneath: for the sky was darkened like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and the inhabitants shall die in like manner: but my righteousness shall not fail.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Salvation for Zion
5My righteousness draws near, My salvation is on the way, and My arms will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look for Me and wait in hope for My arm. 6Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail. 7Listen to Me, you who know what is right, you people with My law in your hearts: Do not fear the scorn of men; do not be broken by their insults.…

Cross References
2 Peter 3:10-13
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. / Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness / as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. ...

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

Revelation 21:1
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

Hebrews 1:10-12
And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. / They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. / You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed; but You remain the same, and Your years will never end.”

Psalm 102:25-27
In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. / They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them, and they will be passed on. / But You remain the same, and Your years will never end.

2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Romans 8:20-21
For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Revelation 6:14
The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.

Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Psalm 89:36-37
his offspring shall endure forever, and his throne before Me like the sun, / like the moon, established forever, a faithful witness in the sky.” Selah

Isaiah 34:4
All the stars of heaven will be dissolved. The skies will be rolled up like a scroll, and all their stars will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like foliage from the fig tree.

Luke 21:33
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

Mark 13:31
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

1 John 2:17
The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Isaiah 65:17
For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.


Treasury of Scripture

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

lift up

Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

Deuteronomy 4:19
And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

Psalm 8:3,4
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; …

the heavens

Isaiah 34:4
And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.

Isaiah 50:9
Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

Psalm 102:26
They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

my salvation

Isaiah 51:8
For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.

Isaiah 45:17
But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

Psalm 103:17
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

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Abolished Beneath Die Dwell Earth Eyes Favour Forever Garment Heavens Inhabitants Lift Manner Righteousness Salvation Sky Smoke Therein Vanish Wax
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Isaiah 51
1. An exhortation after the pattern of Abraham, to trust in Christ
3. By reason of his comfortable promises,
4. Of his righteous salvation
7. And man's mortality
9. Christ by his sanctified arm defends his from the fear of man
17. He bewails the afflictions of Jerusalem
21. And promises deliverance














Lift up your eyes to the heavens
This phrase calls the reader to shift their focus from earthly concerns to the divine realm. In the Hebrew context, "heavens" (שָׁמַיִם, shamayim) often signifies not just the physical sky but the dwelling place of God. This is a call to recognize God's sovereignty and eternal nature, contrasting the temporal nature of earthly matters. Historically, the heavens have been seen as a testament to God's creative power, as reflected in Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God."

and look at the earth beneath
Here, the instruction is to observe the earth, which in Hebrew (אֶרֶץ, erets) can mean both the physical ground and the broader concept of the world. This duality reminds believers of the transient nature of the physical world. The earth, while created by God and good, is subject to decay and change, unlike the eternal nature of God Himself.

for the heavens will vanish like smoke
This imagery of the heavens vanishing like smoke emphasizes the temporary nature of the created order. Smoke (עָשָׁן, ashan) in Hebrew is often used to describe something fleeting and insubstantial. This serves as a metaphor for the impermanence of the physical universe, which will one day be replaced by a new creation, as prophesied in Revelation 21:1.

the earth will wear out like a garment
The metaphor of the earth wearing out like a garment (בֶּגֶד, beged) suggests deterioration and obsolescence. In ancient times, garments were valuable but eventually wore out and were replaced. This reflects the biblical theme of the old creation giving way to the new, as seen in 2 Peter 3:10-13, where the current heavens and earth are described as being reserved for fire and renewal.

and its inhabitants will die like gnats
This stark comparison highlights the frailty and brevity of human life. Gnats (כִּנִּים, kinnim) are small, insignificant creatures with short lifespans, underscoring the transient nature of human existence. This serves as a reminder of the need for humility and reliance on God, who alone is eternal.

But My salvation will last forever
In contrast to the temporary nature of the physical world, God's salvation (יְשׁוּעָה, yeshuah) is eternal. This assurance of everlasting salvation is a cornerstone of Christian faith, rooted in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It offers hope and security to believers, affirming that God's promises are unchanging and reliable.

and My righteousness will never fail
God's righteousness (צְדָקָה, tsedaqah) is His moral perfection and justice, which are unassailable and eternal. Unlike human righteousness, which is flawed and temporary, God's righteousness is a foundation that will never falter. This provides believers with confidence in God's just and faithful nature, encouraging them to live in accordance with His will, knowing that His standards are eternal and His judgments are true.

(6) Shall die in like manner--i.e., shall vanish into nothingness. Many commentators, however, render, shall die like gnats; shall live their little day and pass away; thus supplying a third similitude, in addition to the "smoke" and the "garment." We are reminded once again of Psalm 102:26; and we may add, Matthew 24:35; 2Peter 3:10.

Verse 6. - Lift up your eyes to the heavens. Look to that which seems to you most stable and most certain to endure - the vast firmament of the heavens, and the solid earth beneath it, of which God "bears up the pillars" (Psalm l25:3). Both these, and man too, are in their nature perishable, and will (or may) vanish away and cease to be. But God, and his power to save, and his eternal law of right, can never pass away, but must endure for evermore. Let Israel be sure that the righteous purposes of God with respect to their own deliverance from Babylon, and to the conversion of the Gentiles, stand firm, and that they will most certainly be accomplished. The heavens shall vanish away like smoke (comp. Psalm 102:26; Matthew 24:35; 2 Peter 3:10-12). And the earth shall wax old like a garment. So also in Psalm 102:26 and Hebrews 1:11. The new heaven and new earth promised by Isaiah (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22), St. Peter (2 Peter 3:13), and St. John (Revelation 21:1) are created in the last times, because "the first heaven and the first earth have passed away." They that dwell therein shall die in like manner. Dr. Kay observes that the Hebrew text does not say, "in like manner," but "as in like manner." Man is not subject to the same law of perishableness as the external world, but to a different law. External things simply "pass away" and are no more. Man disappears from the earth, but continues to exist somewhere. He has, by God's gift, a life that is to be unceasing.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Lift up
שְׂאוּ֩ (śə·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

your eyes
עֵֽינֵיכֶ֜ם (‘ê·nê·ḵem)
Noun - cdc | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

to the heavens,
לַשָּׁמַ֨יִם (laš·šā·ma·yim)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

and look
וְֽהַבִּ֧יטוּ (wə·hab·bî·ṭū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5027: To scan, look intently at, to regard

at
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the earth
הָאָ֣רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

below;
מִתַּ֗חַת (mit·ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition-m
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the heavens
שָׁמַ֜יִם (šā·ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

will vanish
נִמְלָ֙חוּ֙ (nim·lā·ḥū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 4414: To rub to pieces, pulverize, to disappear as dust, to salt

like smoke,
כֶּעָשָׁ֤ן (ke·‘ā·šān)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6227: Smoke

the earth
וְהָאָ֙רֶץ֙ (wə·hā·’ā·reṣ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

will wear out
תִּבְלֶ֔ה (tiḇ·leh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1086: To fail, to wear out, decay

like a garment,
כַּבֶּ֣גֶד (kab·be·ḡeḏ)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

and its people
וְיֹשְׁבֶ֖יהָ (wə·yō·šə·ḇe·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

will die
יְמוּת֑וּן (yə·mū·ṯūn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

like [gnats].
כְּמוֹ־ (kə·mōw-)
Preposition
Strong's 3644: Like, as, when

But My salvation
וִישֽׁוּעָתִי֙ (wî·šū·‘ā·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3444: Something saved, deliverance, aid, victory, prosperity

will last forever,
תִּֽהְיֶ֔ה (tih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

and My righteousness
וְצִדְקָתִ֖י (wə·ṣiḏ·qā·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively

will never
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

fail.
תֵחָֽת׃ (ṯê·ḥāṯ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2865: To prostrate, to break down, either, by violence, by confusion and fear


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 51:5
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