[Menu] - [Next]

Isaiah 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.
2 Give heed, O heavens, and hear, O earth! For Jehovah has spoken: I have nourished and brought up children, but they have rebelled against Me.
3 The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master's manger, but Israel does not know; My people have not discerned.
4 Woe, sinful nation, a people heavy with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children who corrupt! They have forsaken Jehovah; they have scorned the Holy One of Israel. They are estranged backward.
5 Why will you be stricken any more? Will you rebel more and more? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart is faint.
6 From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it; only wounds and bruises and fresh stripes; they have not been closed nor bound up, nor has it been softened with oil.
7 Your land is a desolation; your cities burned with fire. Strangers devour your land before you; and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
8 And the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.
9 Except Jehovah of Hosts had left us a small remnant, we would be as Sodom; we would be as Gomorrah.
10 Hear the Word of Jehovah, you rulers of Sodom. Give heed to the Law of our God, you people of Gomorrah.
11 What good to Me are your many sacrifices, says Jehovah? I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of well-fed cattle; nor do I delight in the blood of bulls, of lambs, or he goats.
12 When you come to appear before Me, who has required this at your hand, to trample My courts?
13 Bring no more vain sacrifices; its incense is an abomination to Me. I cannot endure the new moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies, and the wicked festivals.
14 My soul hates your new moons and your appointed feasts. They are a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.
15 And when you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you. Even though you multiply prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
16 Wash yourselves, purify yourselves. Put away the evil of your doings from My eyes; stop doing evil.
17 Learn to do good, seek justice, set straight the oppressor, judge for the orphan, plead for the widow.
18 Come now and let us reason together, says Jehovah: Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.
20 But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Jehovah has spoken.
21 Oh how the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; righteousness lodged in it; but now, murderers!
22 Your silver has become dross; your wine is diluted with water.
23 Your rulers are rebellious and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe, and pursues rewards. They do not judge for the orphan, nor does the cause of the widow come before them.
24 Therefore says the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah! I will be eased of My adversaries, and avenge Myself of My enemies.
25 And I will turn back My hand upon you, and refine your dross, as with lye, and remove all your alloy.
26 And I will return your judges as at the first; and your advisers, as at the beginning; then you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.
27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her returning ones with righteousness.
28 And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together. And those who forsake Jehovah shall be consumed.
29 For they shall be ashamed of the mighty trees which you desired; and you shall be ashamed of the gardens that you have chosen.
30 For you shall be like a mighty tree whose leaf fades, and like a garden that has no water.
31 And the strong shall be as tinder, and the work as a spark; and they both shall burn together; and no one shall quench them.
[Menu] - [Next]