Isaiah 55:1-9

New International Reader's Version

The Lord Invites Thirsty People to Come to Him

55 “Come, all you who are thirsty.
    Come and drink the water I offer to you.
You who do not have any money, come.
    Buy and eat the grain I give you.
Come and buy wine and milk.
    You will not have to pay anything for it.
²Why spend money on what is not food?
    Why work for what does not satisfy you?
Listen carefully to me.
    Then you will eat what is good.
    You will enjoy the richest food there is.
³Listen and come to me.
    Pay attention to me.
    Then you will live.
I will make a covenant with you that will last forever.
    I will give you my faithful love.
    I promised it to David.
⁴I made him a witness to the nations.
    He became a ruler and commander over them.
⁵You too will send for nations you do not know.
    Even though you do not know them,
    they will come running to you.
That is what I will do. I am the Lord your God.
    I am the Holy One of Israel.
    I have honored you.”

⁶Turn to the Lord before it’s too late.
    Call out to him while he’s still ready to help you.
⁷Let those who are evil stop doing evil things.
    And let them quit thinking evil thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord.
    The Lord will show them his tender love.
Let them turn to our God.
    He is always ready to forgive.

⁸“My thoughts are not like your thoughts.
    And your ways are not like my ways,”
    announces the Lord.
⁹“The heavens are higher than the earth.
    And my ways are higher than your ways.
    My thoughts are higher than your thoughts.