Isaiah 55:11 so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

◄ Isaiah 55:11 ►

New International Version
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

New Living Translation
It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

English Standard Version
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Berean Standard Bible
so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

King James Bible
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

New King James Version
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

New American Standard Bible
So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.

NASB 1995
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

NASB 1977
So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Legacy Standard Bible
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what pleases Me, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Amplified Bible
So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Christian Standard Bible
so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
so My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.”

American Standard Version
so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Contemporary English Version
That's how it is with my words. They don't return to me without doing everything I send them to do."

English Revised Version
so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
My word, which comes from my mouth, is like the rain and snow. It will not come back to me without results. It will accomplish whatever I want and achieve whatever I send it to do."

Good News Translation
So also will be the word that I speak--it will not fail to do what I plan for it; it will do everything I send it to do.

International Standard Version
so will my message be that goes out of my mouth— it won't return to me empty. Instead, it will accomplish what I desire, and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Majority Standard Bible
so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

NET Bible
In the same way, the promise that I make does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend."

New Heart English Bible
so shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing I sent it to do.

Webster's Bible Translation
So shall my word be that proceedeth from my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

World English Bible
so is my word that goes out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
So is My word that goes out of My mouth, "" It does not return to Me empty, "" But has done that which I desired, "" And prosperously effected that [for] which I sent it.

Young's Literal Translation
So is My word that goeth out of My mouth, It turneth not back unto Me empty, But hath done that which I desired, And prosperously effected that for which I sent it.

Smith's Literal Translation
So shall be my word which went forth out of my mouth: it shall not turn back to me empty, but doing what I delighted in, and it shall prosper for what I send it.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
So shall my word be, which shall go forth from my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall do whatsoever I please, and shall prosper in the things for which I sent it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
so also will my word be, which will go forth from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish whatever I will, and it will prosper in the tasks for which I sent it.

New American Bible
So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me empty, but shall do what pleases me, achieving the end for which I sent it.

New Revised Standard Version
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but it shall do what I please and it shall accomplish that for which I sent it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Thus my word shall be that proceeds from my mouth, and it shall not return to me empty handed, but surely it does the thing that I please and accomplishes that for which I have sent it

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: It shall not return unto Me void, Except it accomplish that which I please, And make the thing whereto I sent it prosper.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
so shall my word be, whatever shall proceed out of my mouth, it shall by no means turn back, until all the things which I willed shall have been accomplished; and I will make thy ways prosperous, and will effect my commands.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Invitation to the Needy
…10For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, 11so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it. 12You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

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

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Psalm 107:20
He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit.

Jeremiah 1:12
“You have observed correctly,” said the LORD, “for I am watching over My word to accomplish it.”

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

1 Peter 1:23-25
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. / For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, / but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.

Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?

Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Psalm 33:9
For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.

Luke 1:37
For no word from God will ever fail.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Genesis 1:3
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

John 6:63
The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

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

Treasury of Scripture

So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

shall my

Isaiah 54:9
For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.

Deuteronomy 32:2
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

it shall accomplish

Isaiah 44:26-28
That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof: …

Isaiah 45:23
I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Isaiah 46:10
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

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Accomplish Accomplishing Achieve Desire Desired Empty Except Forth Goes Matter Mouth Please Proceedeth Prosper Prosperously Purpose Succeeding Turneth Void Whereto Word

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Accomplish Accomplishing Achieve Desire Desired Empty Except Forth Goes Matter Mouth Please Proceedeth Prosper Prosperously Purpose Succeeding Turneth Void Whereto Word

Isaiah 55

1. The prophet, with the promises of Christ, calls to faith
6. And to repentance
8. The happy success of those who believe

Berean Study Bible

so My word
The phrase "My word" refers to the divine utterance of God, which in Hebrew is "dabar." This term encompasses not only spoken words but also the power and authority behind them. In the biblical context, God's word is not merely informative but performative, meaning it has the power to bring about what it declares. This reflects the creative power of God as seen in Genesis 1, where God speaks creation into existence. Theologically, this underscores the belief in the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture, as God's word is seen as a direct extension of His will and character.

that proceeds from My mouth
This phrase emphasizes the personal and direct nature of God's communication. The imagery of words proceeding from God's mouth suggests intimacy and intentionality. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the spoken word was considered a powerful force, often more binding than written contracts. This highlights the trustworthiness and reliability of God's promises. Theologically, it points to the concept of divine revelation, where God chooses to reveal Himself and His will to humanity through His spoken word, which is later recorded in Scripture.

will not return to Me empty
The word "empty" in Hebrew is "reqam," which means void or without effect. This assurance that God's word will not return empty signifies its effectiveness and purposefulness. In the historical context, this would have been a powerful reassurance to the Israelites, who were often surrounded by uncertainty and the unfulfilled promises of false gods. For Christians, this is a reminder of the certainty of God's promises and the ultimate fulfillment of His plans, as seen in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

but it will accomplish what I please
The word "accomplish" in Hebrew is "asah," meaning to do, make, or carry out. This conveys the idea that God's word is active and dynamic, not passive. It aligns with the biblical narrative that God's purposes are always fulfilled, regardless of human circumstances. The phrase "what I please" underscores God's sovereignty and the alignment of His word with His divine will. This is a comforting truth for believers, affirming that God's plans are good and will ultimately prevail, as echoed in Romans 8:28.

and it will prosper where I send it
The term "prosper" in Hebrew is "tsalach," which means to succeed or thrive. This indicates that God's word not only achieves its intended purpose but does so abundantly. The imagery of sending suggests a mission or task, reinforcing the idea that God's word is purposeful and directed. Historically, this would have been a message of hope and assurance to the exiled Israelites, promising restoration and renewal. For Christians, it is a reminder of the Great Commission and the unstoppable spread of the Gospel, as God's word continues to transform lives and communities worldwide.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) So shall my word be . . .--The point of the comparison is that the predominance of fertility in the natural world, in spite of partial or apparent failures, is the pledge of a like triumph, in the long run, of the purposes of God for man's good over man's resistance. It does not exclude the partial, or even total, failure of many; it asserts that the saved are more than the lost. Comp. Isaiah 53:11.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 11. - So shall my word be. God's word is creative. With the utterance the result is achieved. Hence the sublime passage, which even heathenism could admire (Longin., 'De Sublim.,' § 9), "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light" (Genesis 1:3). Hence, too, the more general statement, "By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth" (Psalm 33:6; comp. Psalm 148:5). But it shall accomplish; rather, unless it has accomplished. There is a mixture of two constructions, "It shall not return void," and "It shall not return unless it has accomplished," etc. It shall prosper. Every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God has a prosperous course. It is endued with life from God, and (as Delitzsch says) "runs like a swift messenger through nature and the world of man, there to melt the ice, as it were, and here to heal and to save; and it does not return from its course till it has given effect to the will of the Sender. "The special "word" which the prophet has here in mind is the promise, so frequently given, of deliverance from Babylon and return in peace and joy to Palestine. But he carries his teaching beyond the immediate occasion, for the benefit of the people of God in all ages.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

so
כֵּ֣ן (kên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

My word
דְבָרִי֙ (ḏə·ḇā·rî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

that
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

proceeds
יֵצֵ֣א (yê·ṣê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

from My mouth
מִפִּ֔י (mip·pî)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

will not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

return
יָשׁ֥וּב (yā·šūḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to Me
אֵלַ֖י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

empty,
רֵיקָ֑ם (rê·qām)
Adverb
Strong's 7387: Emptily, ineffectually, undeservedly

but
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

it will accomplish
עָשָׂה֙ (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

what
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I please,
חָפַ֔צְתִּי (ḥā·p̄aṣ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2654: To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire

and it will prosper
וְהִצְלִ֖יחַ (wə·hiṣ·lî·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6743: To push forward

where
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I send it.
שְׁלַחְתִּֽיו׃ (šə·laḥ·tîw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

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OT Prophets: Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goes (Isa Isi Is)