Isaiah 1
Heading
1:1 Here is the message about Judah and Jerusalem1 that was revealed to Isaiah son of Amoz during the time when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah reigned over Judah.2
Obedience, not Sacrifice
pay attention, O earth!3
For the
“I raised children,4 I brought them up,5
but6 they have rebelled7 against me!
1:3 An ox recognizes its owner,
a donkey recognizes where its owner puts its food;8
but Israel does not recognize me,9
my people do not understand.”
1:410 The sinful nation is as good as dead,11
the people weighed down by evil deeds.
They are offspring who do wrong,
children12 who do wicked things.
They have abandoned the
and rejected the Holy One of Israel.13
They are alienated from him.14
1:515 Why do you insist on being battered?
Why do you continue to rebel?16
Your head has a massive wound,17
your whole body is weak.18
1:6 From the soles of your feet to your head,
there is no spot that is unharmed.19
There are only bruises, cuts,
and open wounds.
They have not been cleansed20 or bandaged,
nor have they been treated21 with olive oil.22
your cities burned with fire.
Right before your eyes your crops
are being destroyed by foreign invaders.23
They leave behind devastation and destruction.24
1:8 Daughter Zion25 is left isolated,
like a hut in a vineyard,
or a shelter in a cucumber field;
she is a besieged city.26
1:9 If the
we would have quickly become like Sodom,28
we would have become like Gomorrah.
1:10 Listen to the
you leaders of Sodom!29
Pay attention to our God’s rebuke,30
people of Gomorrah!
1:11 “Of what importance to me are your many sacrifices?”31
says the
“I am stuffed with32 burnt sacrifices
of rams and the fat from steers.
The blood of bulls, lambs, and goats
I do not want.33
1:12 When you enter my presence,
do you actually think I want this –
animals trampling on my courtyards?34
1:13 Do not bring any more meaningless35 offerings;
I consider your incense detestable!36
You observe new moon festivals, Sabbaths, and convocations,
but I cannot tolerate sin-stained celebrations!37
1:14 I hate your new moon festivals and assemblies;
they are a burden
that I am tired of carrying.
1:15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I look the other way;38
when you offer your many prayers,
I do not listen,
because your hands are covered with blood.39
1:1640 Wash! Cleanse yourselves!
Remove your sinful deeds41
from my sight.
Stop sinning!
1:17 Learn to do what is right!
Promote justice!
Give the oppressed reason to celebrate!42
Take up the cause of the orphan!
Defend the rights of the widow!43
1:1844 Come, let’s consider your options,”45 says the
“Though your sins have stained you like the color red,
you can become46 white like snow;
though they are as easy to see as the color scarlet,
you can become47 white like wool.48
1:19 If you have a willing attitude and obey,49
then you will again eat the good crops of the land.
1:20 But if you refuse and rebel,
you will be devoured50 by the sword.”
Know for certain that the
Purifying Judgment
1:21 How tragic that the once-faithful city
has become a prostitute!52
She was once a center of53 justice,
fairness resided in her,
but now only murderers.54
1:22 Your55 silver has become scum,56
your beer is diluted with water.57
1:23 Your officials are rebels,58
they associate with59 thieves.
All of them love bribery,
They do not take up the cause of the orphan,62
or defend the rights of the widow.63
1:24 Therefore, the sovereign
the powerful ruler of Israel,65 says this:
“Ah, I will seek vengeance66 against my adversaries,
I will take revenge against my enemies.67
1:25 I will attack you;68
I will purify your metal with flux.69
I will remove all your slag.70
1:26 I will reestablish honest judges as in former times,
wise advisers as in earlier days.71
Then you will be called, ‘The Just City,
Faithful Town.’”
1:2772 Zion will be freed by justice,73
and her returnees by righteousness.74
1:28 All rebellious sinners will be shattered,75
those who abandon the
1:29 Indeed, they76 will be ashamed of the sacred trees
you77 find so desirable;
you will be embarrassed because of the sacred orchards78
where you choose to worship.
1:30 For you will be like a tree whose leaves wither,
like an orchard79 that is unwatered.
1:31 The powerful will be like80 a thread of yarn,
their deeds like a spark;
both will burn together,
and no one will put out the fire.