Isaiah 1
The Lord condemns Israel for its sins, comparing them unfavorably to animals that know their masters, and describes the nation as burdened by iniquity and abandoned by God. The land is desolate, cities are burned, and foreigners devour the countryside, with only a remnant left. The Lord rejects Israel's sacrifices and rituals, calling them vain and iniquitous, and instead demands that they learn to do good, seek justice, and defend the oppressed. If they refuse, the sword will devour them, but if they repent, their sins will be forgiven and they will be redeemed.
The vision of Isaiah, the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Joatham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of JudahListen, O heavens, and pay attention, O earth, for the Lord has spoken. I have nurtured and raised children, but they have spurned meAn ox knows his owner, and a donkey knows the manger of his lord, but Israel has not known me, and my people have not understoodWoe to a sinful nation, a people burdened by iniquity, a wicked offspring, accursed children. They have abandoned the Lord. They have blasphemed the Holy One of Israel. They been taken away backwardsFor what reason shall I continue to strike you, as you increase transgressions? The entire head is feeble, and the entire heart is grievingFrom the sole of the foot, even to the top of the head, there is no soundness within. Wounds and bruises and swelling sores: these are not bandaged, nor treated with medicine, nor soothed with oilYour land is desolate. Your cities have been set ablaze. Foreigners devour your countryside in your sight, and it will become desolate, as if devastated by enemiesAnd the daughter of Zion will be left behind, like an arbor in a vineyard, and like a shelter in a cucumber field, and like a city being laid to wasteIf the Lord of hosts had not bequeathed us offspring, we would have been like Sodom, and we would have been comparable to GomorrahListen to the Word of the Lord, you leaders of the people of Sodom. Listen closely to the law of our God, O people of GomorrahThe multitude of your sacrifices, what is that to me, says the Lord? I am full. I do not desire holocausts of rams, nor the fat of fatlings, nor the blood of calves and of lambs and of he-goatsWhen you approach before my sight, who is it that requires these things from your hands, so that you would walk in my courtsYou should no longer offer sacrifice in vain. Incense is an abomination to me. The new moons and the Sabbaths and the other feast days, I will not receive. Your gatherings are iniquitousMy soul hates your days of proclamation and your solemnities. They have become bothersome to me. I labor to endure themAnd so, when you extend your hands, I will avert my eyes from you. And when you multiply your prayers, I will not heed you. For your hands are full of bloodWash, become clean, take away the evil of your intentions from my eyes. Cease to act perverselyLearn to do good. Seek judgment, support the oppressed, judge for the orphan, defend the widowAnd then approach and accuse me, says the Lord. Then, if your sins are like scarlet, they shall be made white like snow; and if they are red like vermillion, they shall become white like woolIf you are willing, and you listen to me, then you will eat the good things of the landBut if you are not willing, and you provoke me to anger, then the sword will devour you. For the mouth of the Lord has spokenHow has the faithful city, full of judgment, become a harlot? Justice lived in her, but now murderersYour silver has turned into dross. Your wine has been mixed with waterYour leaders are unfaithful, the associates of thieves. They all love gifts; they pursue rewards. They do not judge for orphans, and the widow’s case is not brought before themBecause of this, the Lord God of hosts, the Strength of Israel, says: Ah! I will be consoled over my enemies, and I will be vindicated from my adversariesAnd I will turn my hand to you. And I will temper your dross unto purity, and I will take away all your tinAnd I will restore your judges, so that they will be as before, and your counselors as in times long past. After this, you shall be called the City of the Just, the Faithful CityZion will be redeemed in judgment, and they will lead her back to justiceAnd he shall crush the accursed and sinners together. And those who have abandoned the Lord will be consumedFor they shall be confounded because of the idols, to which they have sacrificed. And you shall be ashamed over the gardens that you chosewhen you were like an oak with falling leaves, and like a garden without waterAnd your strength will be like the embers from stubble, and your work will be like a spark, and both will burn together, and there will be no one to extinguish it
Share this chapter