猶大王烏西雅、約坦、亞哈斯和希西迦執政期間,亞摩斯的兒子以賽亞看到了以下有關猶大和耶路撒冷的異象。

上帝責備叛逆的子民

諸天啊,請聽!
大地啊,要側耳聽!
耶和華說:
「我把孩子撫育成人,
他們竟然背叛我。
牛認識主人,
驢也認得主人的槽,
以色列卻不認識,
我的子民卻不明白。」

唉!你們這罪惡的民族,
惡貫滿盈的百姓,
作惡的子孫,
敗壞的兒女!
你們背棄耶和華,
藐視以色列的聖者,
與祂疏遠。

你們為什麼一再叛逆?
你們還要受責打嗎?
你們已經頭破血流,
身心疲憊。
你們已經體無完膚,
從頭到腳傷痕纍纍,
傷口沒有清洗,
沒有包紮,也沒有敷藥。

你們的土地荒涼,
城邑化為灰燼。
你們親眼目睹自己的田園被外族人侵吞、毀壞、變成不毛之地。
僅存的錫安[a]城也像葡萄園裡的草棚、
瓜田中的茅舍、
被困無援的孤城。
若不是萬軍之耶和華讓我們一些人存活,
我們早就像所多瑪和蛾摩拉一樣滅亡了。

10 你們這些「所多瑪」的首領啊,
要聆聽耶和華的話!
你們這些「蛾摩拉」的百姓啊,
要側耳聽我們上帝的訓誨!
11 耶和華說:
「你們獻上許多祭物,對我有什麼用呢?
我厭煩公綿羊的燔祭和肥畜的脂肪,
我不喜歡公牛、羊羔和公山羊的血。

12 「你們來敬拜我的時候,
誰要求你們帶著這些來踐踏我的院宇呢?
13 不要再帶毫無意義的祭物了。
我憎惡你們燒的香,
厭惡你們的朔日[b]、安息日和大會。
你們又作惡又舉行莊嚴的聚會,
令我無法容忍。
14 我憎惡你們的朔日及其他節期,
它們成了我的重擔,
令我厭倦。
15 你們舉手禱告,我必掩面不理。
即使你們禱告再多,
我也不會聽,
因為你們雙手沾滿鮮血。
16 你們要洗淨自己,
停止作惡,
不要讓我再看見你們的惡行。
17 你們要學習行善,
追求正義,
幫助受欺壓的,
替孤兒辯護,
為寡婦伸冤。」
18 耶和華說:
「來吧,我們彼此理論!
你們的罪雖如猩紅,
也必潔白如雪;
你們的罪雖如緋紅,
也必白如羊毛。
19 如果你們願意聽從,
就必享用這地方的美好出產。
20 如果你們執意叛逆,
就必喪身刀下。」
這是耶和華親口說的。
21 耶路撒冷啊,
你這忠貞的妻子竟變成了妓女!
你從前充滿公平,
是公義之家,
現在卻住著兇手。
22 你曾經像銀子,現在卻像渣滓;
曾經像美酒,現在卻像攙了水的酒。
23 你的首領是叛逆之徒,
與盜賊為伍,
個個收受賄賂,
貪圖好處,
不為孤兒辯護,
不替寡婦伸冤。

24 所以,主——萬軍之耶和華,
以色列的大能者說:
「我要向我的敵人報仇雪恨。
25 我必攻擊你,
用鹼煉淨你的渣滓,
除盡你的雜質。
26 我必像從前一樣賜你審判官和謀士。
之後,你必被稱為公義之城、
忠信之邑。」

27 耶和華必因祂的公正救贖錫安,
必因祂的公義拯救城中悔改的人。
28 但叛逆之輩和犯罪之徒必遭毀滅,
背棄耶和華的人必滅亡。
29 你們必因在橡樹下,
在你們選擇的園子裡祭拜偶像而蒙羞。
30 你們必像枯萎的橡樹,
又如無水的園子。
31 你們中間有權勢的人必因他們的惡行而遭毀滅,
好像火花點燃枯木,無人能救。

Footnotes

  1. 1·8 錫安」又稱「耶路撒冷」。
  2. 1·13 朔日」即每月初一。

Judah, a Sinful Nation

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning (A)Judah and Jerusalem, which he beheld in the days of (B)Uzziah, (C)Jotham, (D)Ahaz, and (E)Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

(F)Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O (G)earth;
For [a]Yahweh speaks,
(H)Sons I have reared and raised up,
But they have (I)transgressed against Me.
An ox knows its owner,
And a donkey its master’s manger,
But Israel (J)does not know;
My people (K)do not perceive.”

Alas, sinful nation,
People heavy with iniquity,
(L)Seed of evildoers,
Sons who (M)act corruptly!
They have (N)forsaken Yahweh;
They have (O)spurned the Holy One of Israel;
They have [b]become estranged [c]from Him.

Where will you be stricken again,
As you (P)continue in your rebellion?
The whole head is (Q)sick,
And the whole heart is faint.
(R)From the sole of the foot even to the head
There is (S)nothing sound in it,
Only bruises, wounds, and raw wounds,
(T)Not pressed out, not bandaged,
Not softened with oil.

Your (U)land is desolate;
Your cities are burned with fire;
Your fields—strangers are devouring them in your presence;
It is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard,
Like a watchman’s hut in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.
(V)Unless Yahweh of hosts
Had left us a few (W)survivors,
We would be like (X)Sodom,
We would be like Gomorrah.

10 Hear (Y)the word of Yahweh,
You rulers of (Z)Sodom;
Give ear to the law of our God,
You people of Gomorrah.
11 (AA)What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?”
Says Yahweh.
“I [d]have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
And the fat of fed cattle;
And in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats [e]I take no pleasure.
12 When you come (AB)to appear before Me,
Who requires [f]of you this trampling of My courts?
13 Bring your worthless offerings no longer,
(AC)Incense is an abomination to Me.
(AD)New moon and sabbath, the (AE)calling of convocation—
I cannot (AF)endure wickedness and the solemn assembly.
14 My soul hates your new moon festivals and your (AG)appointed times,
They have become a burden to Me;
I am (AH)weary of bearing them.
15 So when you (AI)spread out your hands in prayer,
(AJ)I will hide My eyes from you;
Indeed, even though you (AK)multiply prayers,
I will not listen.
(AL)Your hands are full of blood.

16 (AM)Wash yourselves, (AN)purify yourselves;
(AO)Remove the evil of your deeds from before My eyes.
(AP)Cease to do evil,
17 Learn to do good;
(AQ)Seek justice,
Reprove the ruthless,
(AR)Execute justice for the [g]orphan,
Plead for the widow.

18 “Come now, and (AS)let us reason together,”
Says Yahweh,
(AT)Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool.
19 (AU)If you are willing and obey,
You will (AV)eat the best of the land;
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
You will be (AW)eaten by the sword.”
For (AX)the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.

Zion Will Be Redeemed with Justice

21 How the faithful city has become a (AY)harlot,
She who was full of justice!
Righteousness once lodged in her,
But now murderers.
22 Your silver has become dross,
Your drink diluted with water.
23 Your (AZ)rulers are rebels
And companions of thieves;
Everyone (BA)loves a bribe
And pursues rewards.
They (BB)do not execute justice for the [h]orphan,
Nor does the widow’s plea come before them.

24 Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of hosts,
The (BC)Mighty One of Israel, declares,
“Ah, I will be comforted concerning My adversaries,
And I will (BD)avenge Myself on My enemies.
25 I will also turn My hand against you,
And will (BE)smelt away your dross as with lye
And will remove all your alloy.
26 Then I will have your (BF)judges return as at the first,
And your counselors as at the beginning;
Afterwards you will be called the (BG)city of righteousness,
A faithful town.”

27 Zion will be (BH)redeemed with justice
And her [i]repentant ones with righteousness.
28 But [j]transgressors and sinners will be (BI)broken together,
And those who forsake Yahweh will come to an end.
29 For [k]you will be ashamed of the [l](BJ)oaks which you have desired,
And you will be humiliated because of the (BK)gardens which you have chosen.
30 For you will be like [m]an oak whose (BL)leaf withers away
Or as a garden that has no water.
31 And the strong man will become tinder,
His work also a spark.
Thus they shall both (BM)burn together,
And there will be (BN)none to quench them.

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 1:2 The personal covenant name of God, a form of I AM WHO I AM, cf. Ex 3:14-15
  2. Isaiah 1:4 Or turned away
  3. Isaiah 1:4 Lit backward
  4. Isaiah 1:11 Or am sated with
  5. Isaiah 1:11 Or I do not desire, cf. Ps 40:6
  6. Isaiah 1:12 Lit of your hand
  7. Isaiah 1:17 Or fatherless
  8. Isaiah 1:23 Or fatherless
  9. Isaiah 1:27 Or returnees
  10. Isaiah 1:28 Lit breaking of transgressors and sinners shall be together
  11. Isaiah 1:29 As in some mss; M.T. they
  12. Isaiah 1:29 Or terebinths
  13. Isaiah 1:30 Or a terebinth

The vision(A) concerning Judah and Jerusalem(B) that Isaiah son of Amoz saw(C) during the reigns of Uzziah,(D) Jotham,(E) Ahaz(F) and Hezekiah,(G) kings of Judah.

A Rebellious Nation

Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!(H)
    For the Lord has spoken:(I)
“I reared children(J) and brought them up,
    but they have rebelled(K) against me.
The ox knows(L) its master,
    the donkey its owner’s manger,(M)
but Israel does not know,(N)
    my people do not understand.(O)

Woe to the sinful nation,
    a people whose guilt is great,(P)
a brood of evildoers,(Q)
    children given to corruption!(R)
They have forsaken(S) the Lord;
    they have spurned the Holy One(T) of Israel
    and turned their backs(U) on him.

Why should you be beaten(V) anymore?
    Why do you persist(W) in rebellion?(X)
Your whole head is injured,
    your whole heart(Y) afflicted.(Z)
From the sole of your foot to the top of your head(AA)
    there is no soundness(AB)
only wounds and welts(AC)
    and open sores,
not cleansed or bandaged(AD)
    or soothed with olive oil.(AE)

Your country is desolate,(AF)
    your cities burned with fire;(AG)
your fields are being stripped by foreigners(AH)
    right before you,
    laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.(AI)
Daughter Zion(AJ) is left(AK)
    like a shelter in a vineyard,
like a hut(AL) in a cucumber field,
    like a city under siege.
Unless the Lord Almighty
    had left us some survivors,(AM)
we would have become like Sodom,
    we would have been like Gomorrah.(AN)

10 Hear the word of the Lord,(AO)
    you rulers of Sodom;(AP)
listen to the instruction(AQ) of our God,
    you people of Gomorrah!(AR)
11 “The multitude of your sacrifices—
    what are they to me?” says the Lord.
“I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
    of rams and the fat of fattened animals;(AS)
I have no pleasure(AT)
    in the blood of bulls(AU) and lambs and goats.(AV)
12 When you come to appear before me,
    who has asked this of you,(AW)
    this trampling of my courts?
13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings!(AX)
    Your incense(AY) is detestable(AZ) to me.
New Moons,(BA) Sabbaths and convocations(BB)
    I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
14 Your New Moon(BC) feasts and your appointed festivals(BD)
    I hate with all my being.(BE)
They have become a burden to me;(BF)
    I am weary(BG) of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands(BH) in prayer,
    I hide(BI) my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
    I am not listening.(BJ)

Your hands(BK) are full of blood!(BL)

16 Wash(BM) and make yourselves clean.
    Take your evil deeds out of my sight;(BN)
    stop doing wrong.(BO)
17 Learn to do right;(BP) seek justice.(BQ)
    Defend the oppressed.[a](BR)
Take up the cause of the fatherless;(BS)
    plead the case of the widow.(BT)

18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”(BU)
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;(BV)
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.(BW)
19 If you are willing and obedient,(BX)
    you will eat the good things of the land;(BY)
20 but if you resist and rebel,(BZ)
    you will be devoured by the sword.”(CA)
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.(CB)

21 See how the faithful city
    has become a prostitute!(CC)
She once was full of justice;
    righteousness(CD) used to dwell in her—
    but now murderers!(CE)
22 Your silver has become dross,(CF)
    your choice wine is diluted with water.
23 Your rulers are rebels,(CG)
    partners with thieves;(CH)
they all love bribes(CI)
    and chase after gifts.
They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;
    the widow’s case does not come before them.(CJ)

24 Therefore the Lord, the Lord Almighty,
    the Mighty One(CK) of Israel, declares:
“Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes
    and avenge(CL) myself on my enemies.(CM)
25 I will turn my hand against you;[b](CN)
    I will thoroughly purge(CO) away your dross(CP)
    and remove all your impurities.(CQ)
26 I will restore your leaders as in days of old,(CR)
    your rulers as at the beginning.
Afterward you will be called(CS)
    the City of Righteousness,(CT)
    the Faithful City.(CU)

27 Zion will be delivered with justice,
    her penitent(CV) ones with righteousness.(CW)
28 But rebels and sinners(CX) will both be broken,
    and those who forsake(CY) the Lord will perish.(CZ)

29 “You will be ashamed(DA) because of the sacred oaks(DB)
    in which you have delighted;
you will be disgraced because of the gardens(DC)
    that you have chosen.
30 You will be like an oak with fading leaves,(DD)
    like a garden without water.
31 The mighty man will become tinder
    and his work a spark;
both will burn together,
    with no one to quench the fire.(DE)

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 1:17 Or justice. / Correct the oppressor
  2. Isaiah 1:25 That is, against Jerusalem