Compare Isaiah 41:12-13 in Four Translations

“You will search for your enemies,
but you will not find them.
Those who are at war with you
will be reduced to nothing and no longer exist.
I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand
and say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid; I will help you.’ ”
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
Meaning-for-Meaning (Closest Natural Equivalence)

“When you will look for your opponents, you will not find them;
your enemies will be reduced to absolutely nothing.
For I am the LORD your God,
the one who takes hold of your right hand,
who says to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, I am helping you.’ ”
New English Translation (NET)
Word-for-Word (Formal Equivalence)

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“You will look for your enemies,
but you will not find them.
Those who fought against you
will vanish completely.
I am the LORD your God,
who holds your right hand,
and I tell you, ‘Don’t be afraid.
I will help you.’ ”
New Century Version (NCV)
Thought-for-Thought (Functional Equivalence)

You will look around
for those brutal enemies,
but you won't find them—
they will be gone.

I am the LORD your God.
I am holding your hand,
so don't be afraid.
I am here to help you.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Paraphrase (Retelling)

Visit our Bible Translation Guide for more information about the major differences between the clear, natural English of God’s Word and other translations.