Translations
F.O.G.MPrimary
F.O.G MessageI did not speak in secret, from some dark corner of the earth; I never told the children of Jacob, 'Seek Me and find nothing!' I, Yahweh, speak what is right and declare what is true and just.
F.O.GSecondary
The F.O.GI did not speak in secret, in some dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Ya'akov, 'Seek Me in vain!' I am YHWH, who speaks righteousness, who declares what is straight.
KJV
King James VersionI have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
BSB
Berean Standard BibleI have not spoken in secret, from a place in a land of darkness. I did not say to the descendants of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in a wasteland.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I say what is right.
Footnotes
The word *tohu* appears here a second time in this chapter — forming a deliberate literary bracket. The earth was not created *tohu* (v. 18); YHWH does not speak *tohu* (v. 19). Both usages reject meaninglessness and void as categories that could apply to YHWH's works or words. The oracle tradition of surrounding nations often involved cryptic, secret revelations at hidden shrine sites or through mysterious oracles. YHWH's self-distinction is radical: His word is public, purposeful, and clear. *Meisharim* ("what is straight, level, upright") shares the root *yashar* with the road-levelling of v. 2, giving the chapter quiet structural unity.
