Isaiah 1
1The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah.2
5The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s feeding trough, but Israel does not know; my people do not understand.”6
7Oh sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity, brood of evildoers, depraved children! They have abandoned the Lord; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they have turned their backs on him.8
9Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep on rebelling? The whole head is hurt, and the whole heart is sick.10
11From the sole of the foot even to the head, no spot is uninjured — wounds, welts, and festering sores not cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil.12
13Your land is desolate, your cities burned down; foreigners devour your fields right in front of you — a desolation, like a place demolished by foreigners.14
15Daughter Zion is abandoned like a shelter in a vineyard, like a shack in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.16
17If the Lord of Armies had not left us a few survivors, we would be like Sodom, we would resemble Gomorrah.18
19Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!20
21“What are all your sacrifices to me?” asks the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I have no desire for the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats.22
23When you come to appear before me, who requires this from you — this trampling of my courts?24
25Stop bringing useless offerings. Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons and Sabbaths, and the calling of solemn assemblies — I cannot stand iniquity with a festival.26
27I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals. They have become a burden to me; I am tired of putting up with them.28
29When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.30
33Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.34
35“Come, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool.36
37If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.38
39But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.40
41The faithful town — what an adulteress she has become! She was once full of justice. Righteousness once dwelt in her, but now, murderers!42
43Your silver has become dross to be discarded, your beer is diluted with water.44
45Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love graft and chase after bribes. They do not defend the rights of the fatherless, and the widow’s case never comes before them.46
47Therefore the Lord God of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will get even with my foes; I will take revenge against my enemies.48
49I will turn my hand against you and will burn away your dross completely; I will remove all your impurities.50
51I will restore your judges to what they were at first, and your advisers to what they were at the start. Afterward you will be called the Righteous City, a Faithful Town.”52
53Zion will be redeemed by justice, those who repent, by righteousness.54
55At the same time both rebels and sinners will be broken, and those who abandon the Lord will perish.56
57Indeed, they will be ashamed of the sacred trees you desired, and you will be embarrassed because of the garden shrines you have chosen.58
59For you will become like an oak whose leaves are withered, and like a garden without water.60
61The strong one will become tinder, and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to extinguish the flames.62
Judah on Trial
3Listen, heavens, and pay attention, earth, for the Lord has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.45The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s feeding trough, but Israel does not know; my people do not understand.”6
7Oh sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity, brood of evildoers, depraved children! They have abandoned the Lord; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they have turned their backs on him.8
9Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep on rebelling? The whole head is hurt, and the whole heart is sick.10
11From the sole of the foot even to the head, no spot is uninjured — wounds, welts, and festering sores not cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil.12
13Your land is desolate, your cities burned down; foreigners devour your fields right in front of you — a desolation, like a place demolished by foreigners.14
15Daughter Zion is abandoned like a shelter in a vineyard, like a shack in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.16
17If the Lord of Armies had not left us a few survivors, we would be like Sodom, we would resemble Gomorrah.18
19Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!20
21“What are all your sacrifices to me?” asks the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I have no desire for the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats.22
23When you come to appear before me, who requires this from you — this trampling of my courts?24
25Stop bringing useless offerings. Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons and Sabbaths, and the calling of solemn assemblies — I cannot stand iniquity with a festival.26
27I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals. They have become a burden to me; I am tired of putting up with them.28
29When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.30
Purification of Jerusalem
31“Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from my sight. Stop doing evil.3233Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.34
35“Come, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool.36
37If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.38
39But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.40
41The faithful town — what an adulteress she has become! She was once full of justice. Righteousness once dwelt in her, but now, murderers!42
43Your silver has become dross to be discarded, your beer is diluted with water.44
45Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love graft and chase after bribes. They do not defend the rights of the fatherless, and the widow’s case never comes before them.46
47Therefore the Lord God of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will get even with my foes; I will take revenge against my enemies.48
49I will turn my hand against you and will burn away your dross completely; I will remove all your impurities.50
51I will restore your judges to what they were at first, and your advisers to what they were at the start. Afterward you will be called the Righteous City, a Faithful Town.”52
53Zion will be redeemed by justice, those who repent, by righteousness.54
55At the same time both rebels and sinners will be broken, and those who abandon the Lord will perish.56
57Indeed, they will be ashamed of the sacred trees you desired, and you will be embarrassed because of the garden shrines you have chosen.58
59For you will become like an oak whose leaves are withered, and like a garden without water.60
61The strong one will become tinder, and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to extinguish the flames.62