55:6 Seek the Lord while he makes himself available; ¹ 

call to him while he is nearby!

55:7 The wicked need to abandon their lifestyle ² 

and sinful people their plans. ³ 

They should return ⁴  to the Lord, and he will show mercy to them, ⁵ 

and to their God, for he will freely forgive them. ⁶ 

55:8 “Indeed, ⁷  my plans ⁸  are not like ⁹  your plans,

and my deeds ¹⁰  are not like ¹¹  your deeds,

55:9 for just as the sky ¹²  is higher than the earth,

so my deeds ¹³  are superior to ¹⁴  your deeds

and my plans ¹⁵  superior to your plans.

55:11 In the same way, the promise that I make

does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. ¹⁷ 

No, it is realized as I desire

and is fulfilled as I intend.” ¹⁸