OET interlinear ISA 29:21

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

בְּ⁠דָבָ֔ר

with,a_word

Here, a word represents “a false accusation.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [with a false accusation]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וְ⁠לַ⁠מּוֹכִ֥יחַ בַּ⁠שַּׁ֖עַר יְקֹשׁ֑וּ⁠ן

and,for,who]_adjudicates in,gate they,lay_a_trap

Isaiah is speaking as if the corrupt people were using legal proceedings like a hunter who set a trap for the person who upholds justice at the city gate. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and they try to silence the one reproving at the gate]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

בַּ⁠שַּׁ֖עַר

in,gate

Isaiah assumes that his readers will understand that the gate is the entrance to the city where elders would sit to hear legal cases and make judicial decisions. If your readers would not be familiar with this practice, you could use a more general term or explain it briefly. Alternate translation: [at the place where legal cases were decided]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

צַדִּֽיק

law-abiding/just

Isaiah is using the adjective righteous as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: [the righteous person]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

בַ⁠תֹּ֖הוּ

with,emptiness

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of emptiness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [with worthless arguments]