Chapter 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 Hear , heavens , and listen , earth ; for the LORD has spoken : " I have nourished and brought up children and they have rebelled against me .
3 The ox knows his owner , and the donkey his master ’s crib; but Israel doesn’t know . My people don’t consider ."
4 Ah sinful nation , a people loaded with iniquity , offspring of evildoers , children who deal corruptly ! They have forsaken the LORD . They have despised the Holy One of Israel . They are estranged and backward.
5 Why should you be beaten more , that you revolt more and more ? The whole head is sick , and the whole heart faint .
6 From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness in it , but wounds , welts , and open sores . They haven’t been closed , bandaged , or soothed with oil .
7 Your country is desolate . Your cities are burned with fire. Strangers devour your land in your presence and it is desolate , as overthrown by strangers .
8 The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard , like a hut in a field of melons, like a besieged city .
9 Unless the LORD of Hosts had left to us a very small remnant , we would have been as Sodom . We would have been like Gomorrah .
10 Hear the LORD ’s word , you rulers of Sodom ! Listen to the law of our God , " (Elohim). you people of Gomorrah !
11 " What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me ?", says the LORD . " I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed animals. I don’t delight in the blood of bulls , or of lambs , or of male 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 offerings . Incense is an abomination to me . New moons , Sabbaths , and convocations — I can ’t stand evil assemblies .
14 My soul hates your New Moons and your appointed feasts . They are a burden to me . I am weary of bearing them .
15 When you spread out your hands , I will hide my eyes from you . Yes , when you make many prayers , I will not hear . Your hands are full of blood .
16 Wash yourselves . Make yourself clean . Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes . Cease to do evil .
17 Learn to do well . Seek justice . Relieve the oppressed . Defend the fatherless . Plead for the widow."
18 " Come now , and let ’s reason together ," says the LORD : "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 will eat the good of the land;
20 but if you refuse and rebel , you will be devoured with the sword ; for the LORD ’s mouth has spoken it ."
21 How the faithful city has become a prostitute ! She was full of justice . Righteousness lodged in her , but now there are murderers .
22 Your silver has become dross , your wine mixed with water .
23 Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves . Everyone loves bribes and follows after rewards . They don’t defend the fatherless , neither does the cause of the widow come to them .
24 Therefore the Lord , GOD of Hosts , the Mighty One of Israel , says : " Ah , I will get relief from my adversaries , and avenge myself on my enemies .
25 I will turn my hand on you , thoroughly purge away your dross , and will take away all your tin.
26 I will restore your judges as at the first , and your counselors as at the beginning . Afterward you shall be called ‘ The city of righteousness , a faithful town .’
27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice , and her converts with righteousness .
28 But the destruction of transgressors and sinners shall be together , and those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed .
29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired , and you shall be confounded for the gardens that you have chosen.
30 For you shall be as an oak whose leaf fades , and as a garden that has no water .
31 The strong will be like tinder , and his work like a spark . They will both burn together , and no one will quench them ."