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Isaiah 1:10-28
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Isaiah 1:10-28
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
10 [a]Hear the word of the Lord,
princes of Sodom!
Listen to the instruction of our God,
people of Gomorrah!
11 What do I care for the multitude of your sacrifices?
says the Lord.
I have had enough of whole-burnt rams
and fat of fatlings;
In the blood of calves, lambs, and goats
I find no pleasure.(A)
12 When you come to appear before me,
who asks these things of you?
13 Trample my courts no more!
To bring offerings is useless;
incense is an abomination to me.
New moon and sabbath, calling assemblies—
festive convocations with wickedness—
these I cannot bear.(B)
14 Your new moons and festivals I detest;(C)
they weigh me down, I tire of the load.
15 When you spread out your hands,
I will close my eyes to you;
Though you pray the more,
I will not listen.
Your hands are full of blood
16 Wash yourselves clean!
Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes;
cease doing evil;
17 learn to do good.
Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,
hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.(E)
18 Come now, let us set things right,[c]
says the Lord:
Though your sins be like scarlet,
they may become white as snow;
Though they be red like crimson,
they may become white as wool.(F)
19 If you are willing, and obey,
you shall eat the good things of the land;
20 But if you refuse and resist,
you shall be eaten by the sword:
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken!
The Purification of Jerusalem
21 How she has become a prostitute,
the faithful city,[d] so upright!
Justice used to lodge within her,
but now, murderers.(G)
22 Your silver is turned to dross,
your wine is mixed with water.
23 Your princes are rebels
and comrades of thieves;
Each one of them loves a bribe
and looks for gifts.
The fatherless they do not defend,
the widow’s plea does not reach them.(H)
24 Now, therefore, says the Lord,
the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel:
Ah! I will take vengeance on my foes
and fully repay my enemies!(I)
25 I will turn my hand against you,
and refine your dross in the furnace,
removing all your alloy.
26 I will restore your judges[e] as at first,
and your counselors as in the beginning;
After that you shall be called
city of justice, faithful city.(J)
27 [f]Zion shall be redeemed by justice,
and her repentant ones by righteousness.
28 Rebels and sinners together shall be crushed,
those who desert the Lord shall be consumed.
Footnotes
- 1:10–17 A powerful indictment of the religious hypocrisy of rulers and others who neglect just judgment and oppress the weaker members, yet believe they can please God with sacrifices and other external forms of worship. The long list of observances suggests the Lord’s tedium with such attempts. Sodom…Gomorrah: the names are picked up from v. 9, but now to emphasize their wickedness rather than the good fortune of escaping total destruction.
- 1:15–16 Hands…blood: oppression of the poor is likened to violence that bloodies the hands, which explains why the hands spread out in prayer (v. 15) are not regarded by the Lord. This climax of the accusations is followed by positive admonitions for reversing the evil situation.
- 1:18–20 Let us set things right: the Hebrew word refers to the arbitration of legal disputes (Jb 23:7). God offers to settle his case with Israel on the basis of the change of behavior demanded above. For Israel it is a life or death choice; life in conformity with God’s will or death for continued disobedience.
- 1:21–28 Faithful city: the phrase, found in v. 21 and v. 28, forms an inclusio which marks off the passage and also suggests three chronological periods: the city’s former ideal state, its present wicked condition (described in vv. 21b–23), and the future ideal conditions intended by God. This will be brought about by a purging judgment directed primarily against the leaders (“judges…counselors”).
- 1:26 Judges: the reference must be to royal judges appointed by David and his successors, not to the tribal judges of the Book of Judges, since the “beginning” of Jerusalem as an Israelite city dates only to the time of David. The Davidic era is idealized here; obtaining justice in the historical Jerusalem of David’s time was more problematic (see 2 Sm 15:1–6).
- 1:27–28 These verses expand the oracle that originally ended at v. 26. The expansion correctly interprets the preceding text as proclaiming a purifying judgment on Zion in which the righteous are saved while the wicked perish. The meaning of “by justice” and “by righteousness” is ambiguous. Do these terms refer to God’s judgment or to the justice and righteousness of Zion’s surviving inhabitants? Is 33:14–16 suggests the latter interpretation.
Isaiah 1:10-28
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Isaiah 1:10-28
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
10 Hear the word of the Lord,
you rulers of Sodom!
Listen to the teaching of our God,
you people of Gomorrah!
11 What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?
says the Lord;
I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
and the fat of fed beasts;
I do not delight in the blood of bulls,
or of lambs, or of goats.
12 When you come to appear before me,[a]
who asked this from your hand?
Trample my courts no more;
13 bringing offerings is futile;
incense is an abomination to me.
New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation—
I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity.
14 Your new moons and your appointed festivals
my soul hates;
they have become a burden to me,
I am weary of bearing them.
15 When you stretch out your hands,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even though you make many prayers,
I will not listen;
your hands are full of blood.
16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
remove the evil of your doings
from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
17 learn to do good;
seek justice,
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow.
18 Come now, let us argue it out,
says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be like snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
you shall eat the good of the land;
20 but if you refuse and rebel,
you shall be devoured by the sword;
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
The Degenerate City
21 How the faithful city
has become a whore!
She that was full of justice,
righteousness lodged in her—
but now murderers!
22 Your silver has become dross,
your wine is mixed with water.
23 Your princes are rebels
and companions of thieves.
Everyone loves a bribe
and runs after gifts.
They do not defend the orphan,
and the widow’s cause does not come before them.
24 Therefore says the Sovereign, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel:
Ah, I will pour out my wrath on my enemies,
and avenge myself on my foes!
25 I will turn my hand against you;
I will smelt away your dross as with lye
and remove all your alloy.
26 And I will restore your judges as at the first,
and your counselors as at the beginning.
Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness,
the faithful city.
27 Zion shall be redeemed by justice,
and those in her who repent, by righteousness.
28 But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together,
and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.
Footnotes
- Isaiah 1:12 Or see my face
Isaiah 1:10-28
Good News Translation
Isaiah 1:10-28
Good News Translation
10 Jerusalem, your rulers and your people are like those of Sodom and Gomorrah. Listen to what the Lord is saying to you. Pay attention to what our God is teaching you. 11 (A)He says, “Do you think I want all these sacrifices you keep offering to me? I have had more than enough of the sheep you burn as sacrifices and of the fat of your fine animals. I am tired of the blood of bulls and sheep and goats. 12 Who asked you to bring me all this when you come to worship me? Who asked you to do all this tramping around in my Temple? 13 It's useless to bring your offerings. I am disgusted with the smell of the incense you burn. I cannot stand your New Moon Festivals, your Sabbaths, and your religious gatherings; they are all corrupted by your sins. 14 I hate your New Moon Festivals and holy days; they are a burden that I am tired of bearing.
15 “When you lift your hands in prayer, I will not look at you. No matter how much you pray, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with blood. 16 Wash yourselves clean. Stop all this evil that I see you doing. Yes, stop doing evil 17 and learn to do right. See that justice is done—help those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights, and defend widows.”
18 The Lord says, “Now, let's settle the matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow.[a] Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool.[b] 19 If you will only obey me, you will eat the good things the land produces. 20 But if you defy me, you are doomed to die. I, the Lord, have spoken.”
The Sinful City
21 The city that once was faithful is behaving like a whore! At one time it was filled with righteous people, but now only murderers remain. 22 Jerusalem, you were once like silver, but now you are worthless; you were like good wine, but now you are only water. 23 Your leaders are rebels and friends of thieves; they are always accepting gifts and bribes. They never defend orphans in court or listen when widows present their case.
24 So now, listen to what the Lord Almighty, Israel's powerful God, is saying: “I will take revenge on you, my enemies, and you will cause me no more trouble. 25 I will take action against you. I will purify you the way metal is refined, and will remove all your impurity. 26 I will give you rulers and advisers like those you had long ago. Then Jerusalem will be called the righteous, faithful city.”
27 Because the Lord is righteous, he will save Jerusalem and everyone there who repents. 28 But he will crush everyone who sins and rebels against him; he will kill everyone who forsakes him.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Isaiah 1:18 sin, but … snow; or sin; do you think I will wash you as clean as snow?
- Isaiah 1:18 Although your … wool; or Your stains are deep red; do you think you will be as white as wool?
Isaiah 1:10-28
New American Standard Bible
Isaiah 1:10-28
New American Standard Bible
God Has Had Enough
10 Hear (A)the word of the Lord,
You rulers of (B)Sodom;
Listen to the instruction of our God,
You people of Gomorrah!
11 “(C)What are your many sacrifices to Me?”
Says the Lord.
“I [a]have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
And the fat of fattened cattle;
And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats.
12 When you come (D)to appear before Me,
Who requires [b]of you this trampling of My courtyards?
13 Do not go on bringing your worthless offerings,
(E)Incense is an abomination to Me.
(F)New moon and Sabbath, the (G)proclamation of an assembly—
I cannot (H)endure wrongdoing and the festive assembly.
14 [c]I hate your new moon festivals and your (I)appointed feasts,
They have become a burden to Me;
I am (J)tired of bearing them.
15 So when you (K)spread out your hands in prayer,
(L)I will hide My eyes from you;
Yes, even though you (M)offer many prayers,
I will not be listening.
(N)Your hands are [d]covered with blood.
16 “(O)Wash yourselves, (P)make yourselves clean;
(Q)Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight.
(R)Stop doing evil,
17 Learn to do good;
(S)Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor,
(T)Obtain justice for the orphan,
Plead for the widow’s case.
Invitation to Debate
18 “Come now, and (U)let us [e]debate your case,”
Says the Lord,
“(V)Though your sins are as scarlet,
They shall become as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be like wool.
19 (W)If you are willing and obedient,
You will (X)eat the best of the land;
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
You will be (Y)devoured by the sword.”
For (Z)the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Zion Corrupted; Will Be Redeemed
21 How the faithful city has become a (AA)prostitute,
She who was full of justice!
Righteousness once dwelt in her,
But now murderers.
22 Your silver has become [f]waste matter,
Your drink diluted with water.
23 Your (AB)rulers are rebels
And companions of thieves;
Everyone (AC)loves a bribe
And chases after gifts.
They (AD)do not obtain justice for the [g]orphan,
Nor does the widow’s case come before them.
24 Therefore the Lord [h]God of armies,
The (AE)Mighty One of Israel, declares,
“Ah, I will have satisfaction against My adversaries,
And (AF)avenge Myself on My enemies.
25 I will also turn My hand against you,
And (AG)smelt away your impurities as with lye;
And I will remove all your slag.
26 Then I will restore your (AH)judges as at first,
And your counselors as at the beginning;
After that you will be called the (AI)city of righteousness,
A faithful city.”
27 Zion will be (AJ)redeemed with justice
And her [i]repentant ones with righteousness.
28 But [j]wrongdoers and sinners together will be (AK)broken,
And those who abandon the Lord will come to an end.
Footnotes
- Isaiah 1:11 Or am sated with
- Isaiah 1:12 Lit of your hand
- Isaiah 1:14 Lit My soul hates
- Isaiah 1:15 Lit full of
- Isaiah 1:18 Or argue
- Isaiah 1:22 Lit dross
- Isaiah 1:23 Or fatherless
- Isaiah 1:24 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord
- Isaiah 1:27 Or returning
- Isaiah 1:28 Lit a breaking of wrongdoers and sinners together
Isaiah 1:10-28
New International Version
Isaiah 1:10-28
New International Version
10 Hear the word of the Lord,(A)
you rulers of Sodom;(B)
listen to the instruction(C) of our God,
you people of Gomorrah!(D)
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;(E)
I have no pleasure(F)
in the blood of bulls(G) and lambs and goats.(H)
12 When you come to appear before me,
who has asked this of you,(I)
this trampling of my courts?
13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings!(J)
Your incense(K) is detestable(L) to me.
New Moons,(M) Sabbaths and convocations(N)—
I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
14 Your New Moon(O) feasts and your appointed festivals(P)
I hate with all my being.(Q)
They have become a burden to me;(R)
I am weary(S) of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands(T) in prayer,
I hide(U) my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
I am not listening.(V)
16 Wash(Y) and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;(Z)
stop doing wrong.(AA)
17 Learn to do right;(AB) seek justice.(AC)
Defend the oppressed.[a](AD)
Take up the cause of the fatherless;(AE)
plead the case of the widow.(AF)
18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”(AG)
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;(AH)
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.(AI)
19 If you are willing and obedient,(AJ)
you will eat the good things of the land;(AK)
20 but if you resist and rebel,(AL)
you will be devoured by the sword.”(AM)
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.(AN)
21 See how the faithful city
has become a prostitute!(AO)
She once was full of justice;
righteousness(AP) used to dwell in her—
but now murderers!(AQ)
22 Your silver has become dross,(AR)
your choice wine is diluted with water.
23 Your rulers are rebels,(AS)
partners with thieves;(AT)
they all love bribes(AU)
and chase after gifts.
They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;
the widow’s case does not come before them.(AV)
24 Therefore the Lord, the Lord Almighty,
the Mighty One(AW) of Israel, declares:
“Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes
and avenge(AX) myself on my enemies.(AY)
25 I will turn my hand against you;[b](AZ)
I will thoroughly purge(BA) away your dross(BB)
and remove all your impurities.(BC)
26 I will restore your leaders as in days of old,(BD)
your rulers as at the beginning.
Afterward you will be called(BE)
the City of Righteousness,(BF)
the Faithful City.(BG)”
Footnotes
- Isaiah 1:17 Or justice. / Correct the oppressor
- Isaiah 1:25 That is, against Jerusalem
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Good News Translation (GNT) 
Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. For more information about GNT, visit www.bibles.com and www.gnt.bible.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.