Verses 10-11 describe activities of the incomparable Yahweh. The Hebrew participles rendered declaring, saying, and calling introduce three of his activities.

Declaring the end from the beginning means that Yahweh predicts events before they happen (see the comments on 41.26-27). The end refers to the occurrence of some event, while the beginning refers to the time before it happens. One event referred to in verse 11 that Yahweh predicted was Cyrus’ rise to power. For this line New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “I foretell the end from the beginning.” Bible en français courant says “From the beginning I have announced my goal,” which fits the context of the last two lines well.

And from ancient times things not yet done is parallel to the previous line. The verb declaring is implied here. From ancient times is literally “from before.” Revised Standard Version renders this same phrase as “long ago” in 45.21. Here Good News Translation has “long ago,” and Bible en français courant says “Long in advance.” In this context the phrase could simply mean “in the past,” without referring to the distant past, so it may be rendered “in advance” (New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “beforehand.” The things not yet done uses the key verb “do.” This passive expression may be rendered in an active form by saying “what has not yet occurred” (New Jerusalem Bible), “what is still to come” (New International Version), or “what I will do.”

Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose’: These two parallel lines describe another activity of Yahweh. He accomplishes what he plans to do. My counsel refers to the plans the LORD makes. The Hebrew word for counsel has the sense of “plan” (Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “purpose” (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible) here, as in 5.19 and 44.26 (see the comments there). Shall stand is literally “will be established,” which means Yahweh’s plans will take place (see the comments on 8.10 and 14.24).

For I will accomplish all my purpose, see the comments on 44.28. Accomplish renders the same Hebrew verb as the one for done in the second line. For this line New Jerusalem Bible says “I shall do whatever I please,” and Bible en français courant has “All that I want to do, I do it.”

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• I announce from the beginning what the end will be,
I state beforehand what is yet to be.
I say, ‘My plans remains firm,
I will certainly accomplish what I intend to do.’

• I announce what the end will be from the outset,
I announce beforehand what I will do.
I say that my purpose will be achieved,
that I will do everything I intend to do.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .