Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.
NIV
Accordingly God also, in His desire to show more convincingly and beyond doubt to those who were to inherit the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose and plan, intervened (mediated) with an oath.
AMP
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
KJV
Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
NIV
Do they not err who devise evil and wander from the way of life? But loving-kindness and mercy, loyalty and faithfulness, shall be to those who devise good.
AMP
Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
KJV
Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning's light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.
NIV
WOE TO those who devise iniquity and work out evil upon their beds! When the morning is light, they perform and practice it because it is in their power.
AMP
Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.
KJV
This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations.
NIV
This is the [Lord's] purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth [regarded as conquered and put under tribute by Assyria]; and this is [His omnipotent] hand that is stretched out over all the nations.
AMP
This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.
KJV
To those who say, "Let God hurry; let him hasten his work so we may see it. The plan of the Holy One of Israel – let it approach, let it come into view, so we may know it."
NIV
Who say, Let [the Holy One] make haste and speed His [prophesied] vengeance, that we may see it; and let the purpose of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, that we may know it!
AMP
That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!
KJV
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?"
NIV
Who by the mouth of our forefather David, Your servant and child, said through the Holy Spirit, Why did the heathen (Gentiles) become wanton and insolent and rage, and the people imagine and study and plan vain (fruitless) things [that will not succeed]?
AMP
Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
KJV
But this is not what he intends, this is not what he has in mind; his purpose is to destroy, to put an end to many nations.
NIV
However, this is not his intention [nor is the Assyrian aware that he is doing this at My bidding], neither does his mind so think and plan; but it is in his mind to destroy and cut off many nations.
AMP
Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
KJV
