The vision of Isaiah
the son
of Amoz
concerning
aJudah
and Jerusalem
, which
he saw
during the 1reigns
of bUzziah
, cJotham
, dAhaz
and eHezekiah
, kings
of Judah
.
aListen, O heavens
, and hear
, O bearth
; For the LORD
speaks
, " cSons
I have reared
and brought
up, But they have drevolted
against Me.
"An ox knows
its owner
, And a donkey
its master's
manger
, But Israel
adoes not know
, My people
bdo not understand
."
Alas, sinful
nation
, People
weighed
down
with iniquity
, 1 aOffspring
of evildoers
, Sons
who bact
corruptly
! They have cabandoned
the LORD
, They have ddespised
the Holy
One
of Israel
, They have turned
away
2from Him.
Where will you be stricken
again
, As you acontinue
in your rebellion
? The whole
head
is bsick
And the whole
heart
is faint
.
aFrom the sole of the foot
even to the head
There
is bnothing
sound
in it, Only bruises
, welts
and raw
wounds
, cNot pressed
out or bandaged
, Nor
softened
with oil
.
Your aland is desolate
, Your cities
are burned
with fire
, Your fields
--strangers
are devouring
them in your presence
; It is desolation
, as overthrown
by strangers
.
The daughter of Zion
is left
like a shelter
in a vineyard
, Like a watchman's
hut
in a cucumber
field
, like a besieged
city
.
aUnless the LORD
of hosts
Had left
us a few
bsurvivors
, We would be like cSodom
, We would be like
Gomorrah
.
Hear athe word
of the LORD
, You rulers
of bSodom
; Give
ear
to the instruction
of our God
, You people
of Gomorrah
.
" aWhat are your multiplied
sacrifices
to Me?" Says
the LORD
. "I 1have had
enough
of burnt
offerings
of rams
And the fat
of fed
cattle
; And I take
no
pleasure
in the blood
of bulls
, lambs
or goats
.
"When you come
ato appear
before
Me, Who
requires
1of you this
trampling
of My courts
?
"Bring your worthless
offerings
no
longer
, aIncense
is an abomination
to Me. bNew
moon
and sabbath
, the ccalling
of assemblies
-- I cannot
dendure
iniquity
and the solemn
assembly
.
"I hate your new
moon
festivals and your aappointed
feasts
, They have become
a burden
to Me; I am bweary
of bearing
them.
"So when you aspread out your hands
in prayer, bI will hide
My eyes
from you; Yes
, even
though
you cmultiply
prayers
, I will not listen
. dYour hands
are 1covered
with blood
.
" aWash yourselves, bmake
yourselves clean
; cRemove
the evil
of your deeds
from My sight
. dCease
to do evil
,
Learn to do
good
; aSeek
justice
, Reprove
the ruthless
, 1 bDefend
the orphan
, Plead
for the widow
.
"Come now
, and alet us reason
together," Says
the LORD
, " bThough
your sins
are as scarlet
, They will be as white
as snow
; Though
they are red
like crimson
, They will be like wool
.
" aIf you consent
and obey
, You will beat
the best
of the land
;
"But if you refuse
and rebel
, You will be adevoured
by the sword
." Truly
, bthe mouth
of the LORD
has spoken
.
How the faithful
city
has become
a aharlot
, She who was full
of justice
! Righteousness
once lodged
in her, But now
murderers
.
Your silver has become
dross
, Your drink
diluted
with water
.
Your arulers are rebels
And companions
of thieves
; Everyone
bloves
a bribe
And chases
after rewards
. They cdo not 1defend
the 2orphan
, Nor
does the widow's
plea
come
before
them.
Therefore the Lord
1GOD
of hosts
, The aMighty
One
of Israel
, declares
, "Ah
, I will be relieved
of My adversaries
And bavenge
Myself on My foes
.
"I will also turn My hand
against
you, And will asmelt
away your dross
as with lye
And will remove
all
your alloy
.
"Then I will restore your ajudges
as at the first
, And your counselors
as at the beginning
; After
that you will be called
the bcity
of righteousness
, A faithful
city
."
Zion will be aredeemed
with justice
And her 1repentant
ones with righteousness
.
But 1transgressors and sinners
will be acrushed
together
, And those who forsake
the LORD
will come
to an end
.
Surely 1you will be ashamed
of the 2 aoaks
which
you have desired
, And you will be embarrassed
at the bgardens
which
you have chosen
.
For you will be like an 1oak whose aleaf
fades
away
Or as a garden
that has
no
water
.
The strong man
will become
tinder
, His work
also a spark
. Thus they shall both
aburn
together
And there
will be bnone
to quench
them.