CHAPTER 1
This is the vision
concerning
Judah
and Jerusalem
that
Isaiah
son
of Amoz
saw
during the reigns
of Uzziah,
Jotham,
Ahaz,
and Hezekiah,
kings
of Judah.
Listen,
O heavens,
and give ear,
O earth,
for
the LORD
has spoken:
“I have raised
children
and brought them up,
but they
have rebelled
against Me.
The ox
knows
its owner,
and the donkey
its master’s
manger,
but Israel
does not
know;
My people
do not
understand.”
Alas,
O sinful
nation,
a people
laden
with iniquity,
a brood
of evildoers,
children
of depravity!
They have forsaken
the LORD;
they have despised
the Holy
One of Israel
and turned
their backs on Him.
Why
do you want more
beatings?
Why do you keep
rebelling?
Your head
has a massive
wound,
and your whole
heart
is afflicted.
From the sole
of your foot
to the top
of your head,
there is no
soundness—
only wounds
and welts
and festering
sores
not
cleansed
or
bandaged
or soothed
with oil.
Your land
is desolate,
your cities
are burned
with fire;
foreigners
devour
your fields
before you --
a desolation
demolished
by strangers.
And the daughter
of Zion
is abandoned
like a shelter
in a vineyard,
like a shack
in a cucumber field,
like a city
besieged.
Unless
the LORD
of Hosts
had left
us
a few
survivors,
we would have become
like Sodom,
we would have resembled
Gomorrah.
Hear
the word
of the LORD,
you rulers
of Sodom;
listen
to the instruction
of our God,
you people
of Gomorrah!
“What is
your multitude
of sacrifices
to Me?”
says
the LORD.
“I am full
from the burnt offerings
of rams
and the fat
of well-fed cattle;
I take no delight
in the blood
of bulls,
of lambs
and goats.
Bring
your worthless
offerings
no
more;
your incense
is detestable
to Me—
your New Moons,
Sabbaths,
and convocations—
I cannot
endure
iniquity
in a solemn assembly.
I
hate
your New Moons
and your appointed feasts;
they have become
a burden
to Me;
I am weary
of bearing them.
When you spread out
your hands in prayer,
I will hide
My eyes
from you;
even
though
you multiply
your prayers,
I will not
listen.
Your hands
are covered
with blood.
Learn
to do right,
seek
justice,
correct
the oppressor,
defend
the fatherless,
plead
for the widow.”
“Come
now,
let us reason together,”
says
the LORD.
“Though
your sins
are
like scarlet,
they will be as white
as snow;
though
they are as red
as crimson,
they will become
like wool.
But if
you resist
and rebel,
you will be devoured
by the sword.”
For
the mouth
of the LORD
has spoken.
See how
the faithful
city
has become
a harlot!
She once was full of justice;
righteousness
resided
within her,
but now only
murderers!
Your rulers
are rebels,
friends
of thieves.
They all
love
bribes
and chasing after
rewards.
They do not
defend
the fatherless,
and the plea
of the widow
never
comes
before them.
Therefore
the Lord
GOD
of Hosts,
the Mighty
One of Israel,
declares:
“Ah,
I will be relieved
of My foes
and avenge Myself
on My enemies.
I will turn
My hand
against you;
I will thoroughly purge
your dross;
I will remove
all
your impurities.
I will restore
your judges
as at the first,
and your counselors
as at the beginning.
After that
you will be called
the City
of Righteousness,
the Faithful
City.”
Surely
you will be ashamed
of the sacred oaks
in which you have delighted;
you will be embarrassed
by the gardens
that
you have chosen.
The strong man
will become
tinder
and his work
will be a spark;
both
will burn
together,
with no one
to quench the flames.