For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
For he will finish the work, and cut it short, х logon (G3056) gar (G1063) sunteloon (G4931) kai (G2532) suntemnoon (G4932)] - rather, 'For He is finishing the matter and cutting it short in'
In righteousness: because a short work ('matter') will the Lord make upon the earth. [Lachmann and Tregelles omit en (G1722) dikaiosunee (G1343) hoti (G3754) logon (G3056) suntemnoon (G4932) with 'Aleph (') A B, three cursives, and the Syriac; but Tischendorf rightly retains them, with D E F G K L, and nearly all cursives, the old Latin and Vulgate, the Philox. Syriac, and later versions, and most of the fathers; for it is far easier to account for their omission, though genuine, than for their insertion if not.] The passage is taken from Isaiah 10:22-23, as in the Septuagint. The sense given to it by the apostle may seem to differ from that intended by the prophet. But the aptness of the quotation for the apostle's purpose, and the sameness of sentiment in both places will at once appear, if we understand those words of the prophet which are rendered "the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness" to mean, that while a remnant of Israel should be graciously spared to return from captivity, "the decreed consumption" of the impenitent, majority should be "replete with righteousness" or illustriously display God's righteous vengeance against sin. The "short reckoning" seems to mean the speedy completing of His word, both in cutting off the one portion and saving the other.