Isaiah 65:1-7

Living Bible

65 The Lord says, People^[a] who never before inquired about me are now seeking me out. Nations who never before searched for me are finding me.

² But my own people—though I have been spreading out my arms to welcome them all day long—have rebelled; they follow their own evil paths and thoughts. ³ All day long they insult me to my face by worshiping idols in many gardens and burning incense on the rooftops of their homes. ⁴ At night they go out among the graves and caves to worship evil spirits, and they eat pork and other forbidden foods. ⁵ Yet they say to one another, “Don’t come too close, you’ll defile me! For I am holier than you!” They stifle me. Day in and day out they infuriate me.

⁶ See, here is my decree all written out before me: I will not stand silent; I will repay. Yes, I will repay them— ⁷ not only for their own sins but for those of their fathers too, says the Lord, for they also burned incense on the mountains and insulted me upon the hills. I will pay them back in full.