OET interlinear ISA 49:4

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-pronouns

וַ⁠אֲנִ֤י אָמַ֨רְתִּי֙

and,I said

The pronoun I refers to the servant, who is the one speaking in this passage. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [But I, the servant, said]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

לְ⁠רִ֣יק

to,emptiness

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of worthlessness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [for nothing worthwhile]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

לְ⁠תֹ֥הוּ וְ⁠הֶ֖בֶל

to,nothingness and=Abel

The terms nothingness and vapor mean similar things. Isaiah is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [for absolutely nothing]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

לְ⁠תֹ֥הוּ

to,nothingness

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

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

אֱלֹהָֽ⁠י

God_of,my

The servant is not using this possessive form my God to indicate that he possesses or controls Yahweh. Rather he is using these words to indicate that Yahweh is the God whom he worships. Alternate translation: [my God, the one I worship]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

אָכֵן֙ מִשְׁפָּטִ֣⁠י אֶת־יְהוָ֔ה

surely justice_of,my DOM YHWH

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of justice, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [Yet what is due to me is in the Lord’s control]