¹⁰ and saw^(A) the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli,^(B) as bright blue as the sky.^(C)

¹⁸ No one has ever seen God,^(A) but the one and only Son, who is himself God and^[a](B) is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

God’s Glory Departs From the Temple

10 I looked, and I saw the likeness of a throne^(A) of lapis lazuli^(B) above the vault^(C) that was over the heads of the cherubim.^(D)

³ And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper^(A) and ruby.^(B) A rainbow^(C) that shone like an emerald^(D) encircled the throne.

¹⁶ who alone is immortal^(A) and who lives in unapproachable light,^(B) whom no one has seen or can see.^(C) To him be honor and might forever. Amen.^(D)

Isaiah’s Commission

6 In the year that King Uzziah^(A) died,^(B) I saw the Lord,^(C) high and exalted,^(D) seated on a throne;^(E) and the train of his robe^(F) filled the temple. ² Above him were seraphim,^(G) each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet,^(H) and with two they were flying. ³ And they were calling to one another:

⁴ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.^(M)

⁵ “Woe^(N) to me!” I cried. “I am ruined!^(O) For I am a man of unclean lips,^(P) and I live among a people of unclean lips,^(Q) and my eyes have seen^(R) the King,^(S) the Lord Almighty.”^(T)

²³ Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

²⁰ But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see^(A) me and live.”

³⁰ So Jacob called the place Peniel,^[a] saying, “It is because I saw God face to face,^(A) and yet my life was spared.”