Isaiah Chapter 1 Back Next{1:1} The vision of
Isaiah the son of
Amoz, which he saw concerning
Judah and
Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah,
Jotham,
Ahaz, and
Hezekiah,
kings of Judah.
{1:2} Hear,
heavens, and listen,
earth; for [1>]
Yahweh[<1] has spoken: "I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
{1:3} The ox knows his owner, and the
donkey his master's crib; but
Israel doesn't know, my people don't consider."
{1:4} Ah sinful nation, a people loaded with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken Yahweh. They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They are estranged and backward.
{1:5} Why should you be beaten more, that you revolt more and more? The whole head is sick, and the whole
heart faint.
{1:6} From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness in it: wounds, welts, and open sores. They haven't been closed, neither bandaged, neither soothed with oil.
{1:7} Your country is desolate. Your cities are burned with
fire. Strangers devour your land in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
{1:8} The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a
field of
melons, like a besieged city.
{1:9} Unless Yahweh of Armies had left to us a very small remnant, we would have been as Sodom; we would have been like
Gomorrah.
{1:10} Hear the word of Yahweh, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the
law of our
God, you people of Gomorrah!
{1:11} "What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me?," says Yahweh. "I have had enough of the
burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed animals. I don't delight in the
blood of bulls, or of
lambs, or of male
goats.
{1:12} When you come to appear before me, who has required this at your hand, to trample my courts?
{1:13} Bring no more vain offerings.
Incense is an
abomination to me; new moons, Sabbaths, and
convocations: I can't bear with evil assemblies.
{1:14} My soul hates your New Moons and your appointed
feasts. They are a burden to me. I am weary of bearing them.
{1:15} When you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you. Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
{1:16} Wash yourselves, make yourself
clean. Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil.
{1:17} Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed.
Judge the fatherless. Plead for the widow."
{1:18} "Come now, and let us reason together," says Yahweh: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
{1:19} If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;
{1:20} but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it."
{1:21} How the
faithful city has become a prostitute! She was full of justice; righteousness
lodged in her, but now murderers.
{1:22} Your silver has become
dross, your wine mixed with water.
{1:23} Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards. They don't judge the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.
{1:24} Therefore the
Lord, Yahweh of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says: "Ah, I will get relief from my adversaries, and avenge myself of my enemies;
{1:25} and I will turn my hand on you, thoroughly purge away your dross, and will take away all your tin.
{1:26} I will restore your judges as at the first, and your
counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called 'The city of righteousness, a faithful town.'
{1:27} Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness.
{1:28} But the destruction of transgressors and sinners shall be together, and those who forsake Yahweh shall be consumed.
{1:29} For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, and you shall be confounded for the
gardens that you have chosen.
{1:30} For you shall be as an oak whose
leaf fades, and as a garden that has no water.
{1:31} The strong will be like tinder, and his work like a spark. They will both burn together, and no one will quench them."
Isaiah Chapter 1 Back Next