Isaiah 1

The Vision of Isaiah

1This is a record of the vision that Amoz's son Isaiah observed concerning Judah and Jerusalem during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.H2377H3470H1121H531H2372H3063H3389H3117H5818H3147H271H3169H4428H3063

Rebellious Judah

2Listen, you heavens, and let the earth pay attention, because the Lord has spoken: "I reared children and brought them to adulthood, but then they rebelled against me!H8085H8064H238H776H3068H1696H1431H7311H1121H65863The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's feeding trough, but Israel doesn't know, and my people don't understand.H7794H3045H7069H2543H1167H18H3478H3045H5971H9954"Ah, you sinful nation! You people burdened down by iniquity! You offspring of those who keep practicing what is evil! You children who corrupt whatever they do! "They've abandoned the Lord; They've despised the Holy One of Israel, in their estrangement, they've walked away from me.H1945H2398H1471H5971H3515H5771H2233H7489H1121H7843H5800H853H3068H5006H853H6918H3478H5006H2114H2685"Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? Your whole head is sick, and your whole heart is faint.H5221H5627H3254H7218H2483H3824H17426From the sole of your foot to the top of your head, There's no soundness in it, only bruises, sores, and festering wounds that haven't been cleaned out, or bound up, or treated with oil."H3709H7272H7218H4974H6482H2250H2961H4347H2115H2280H7401H8081

God’s Diagnosis

7"Your country lies desolate; your cities have been incinerated. Before your very eyes, foreigners are devouring your land. They've brought devastation upon it, while the land is overthrown by foreigners.H776H8077H5892H8313H784H127H2114H398H8077H4114H21148The daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a lodge in a cucumber field, or like a city under seige.H1323H6726H3498H5521H3754H4412H4750H5341H58929If the Lord of the Heavenly Armies hadn't left us a few survivors, we would be like Sodom; we would be like Gomorrah."H3884H3068H6635H3498H4592H8300H1961H5467H1819H601710Listen to what the Lord says, you rulers of Sodom, and pay attention to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!H8085H1697H3068H7101H5467H238H8451H430H5971H601711"How do your voluminous sacrifices benefit me?" the Lord is asking. "I've had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts. I don't enjoy the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.H4100H7230H2077H559H3068H7646H5930H352H2459H4806H2654H1818H6499H3532H626012"When you come to present yourselves in my presence, who has required you to trample on my courts?H935H7200H6440H1245H3027H7429H269113Stop bringing useless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me, as are your new moons, Sabbaths, and calling of convocations. I cannot stand iniquity with a solemn assembly.H935H3254H7723H4503H7004H8441H2320H7676H7121H4744H3201H205H611614As to your new moons and your appointed feasts, my soul abhors them. They've become a burden to me; I've grown weary of carrying them.H2320H4150H5315H8130H2960H3811H537515When you spread out your hands, I'll hide my eyes from you. Even though your prayers multiply, I won't listen. Your hands are full of blood, your fingers drenched in iniquity."H6566H3709H5956H5869H7235H8605H8085H3027H4390H1818

An Invitation to Reconciliation

16"Wash yourselves, and make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from my presence; stop practicising what is evil.H7364H2135H5493H7455H4611H5048H5869H2308H748917Learn to practice what is good; seek justice, correct oppression, defend orphans in court, and plead the widow's case.H3925H3190H1875H4941H833H2541H8199H3490H7378H49018"Please come, and let's reason together," implores the Lord. "Even though your sins are like scarlet, they'll be white like snow. Though they're like crimson, they'll become like wool.H3212H3198H559H3068H2399H8144H3835H7950H119H8438H678519If you're willing and obedient, you'll eat the best that the land produced;H14H8085H398H2898H77620but if you refuse and rebel, you'll be devoured by the sword, because the Lord has spoken."H3985H4784H398H2719H6310H3068H1696

Diagnosis and Judgment

21"How the faithful city has become a whore, she who used to be filled with justice! Righteousness used to reside within her, but now only murderers live there.H539H7151H2181H4392H4941H6664H3885H752322Your silver has become dross, your best wine is diluted with water.H3701H5509H5435H4107H432523Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. All of them are lovers of bribes and are runners after gifts. They do not bring justice to orphans, and the widow's case never comes before them."H8269H5637H2270H1590H157H7810H7291H8021H8199H3490H7379H490H935

Restoration and Redemption

24Therefore this is what the Lord God of the Heavenly Armies declares, the one who is Israel's Mighty One: "Ah, I'll get relief from his enemies and avenge myself on his foes.H5002H113H3068H6635H46H3478H1945H5162H6862H5358H34125Turning my attention in your direction, I'll refine your dross as in a furnace. Let me remove all your alloy.H7725H3027H1253H6884H5509H5493H91326Let me restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you'll be called "The Righteous City" and "The Faithful City of Zion.H7725H8199H7223H3289H8462H310H7121H5892H6664H539H715127"Zion will be redeemed by justice, and her repentant ones by righteousness.H6726H6299H4941H7725H666628But rebels and sinners will be broken together, and those who forsake the Lord will be consumed.H7667H6586H2400H3162H5800H3068H361529They'll be ashamed of the oaks that you desired; and you'll blush because of the gardens that you have chosen.H954H352H2530H2659H1593H97730You'll be like an oak1 whose leaf is withering, like an unwatered garden.H424H5929H5034H1593H432531Your strong one will be used for tinder, and your work a spark; both of them will burn together, with no one to quench them."H2634H5296H6467H5213H8147H1197H3162H3518