One slaughters an ox, one kills a man;
one sacrifices a lamb, one breaks a dog’s neck;
one offers a grain offering, one offers pig’s blood;
one offers incense, one praises an idol—
all these have chosen their ways
and delight in their detestable practices.(A)
So I will choose their punishment,
and I will bring on them what they dread
because I called and no one answered;
I spoke and they didn’t hear;
they did what was evil in My sight
and chose what I didn’t delight in.(B)

You who tremble at His word,(C)
hear the word of the Lord:(D)
“Your brothers who hate and exclude you
because of Me have said,(E)
‘Let the Lord be glorified
so that we can see your joy!’
But they will be put to shame.”(F)

A sound of uproar from the city!
A voice from the temple—
the voice of the Lord,
paying back His enemies what they deserve!(G)

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“Whoever slaughters an ox
    is just like[a] one who kills a human being;
whoever sacrifices a lamb
    is just like one who breaks a dog’s neck;
whoever makes a grain offering
    is just like one who offers pig’s blood;
and whoever makes a memorial offering of frankincense
    is just like one who blesses an idol.
Yes, these have chosen their own ways,
    and they take delight in their contaminated actions.
Therefore[b] I, too, will choose harsh treatment for them,
    and will bring upon them what they dread.
For when I called, no[c] one answered;
    when I spoke, they didn’t listen;
but they did what I consider to be evil,
    and chose what doesn’t please me.”

The Lord Vindicates Zion

“Hear this message from the Lord,
    you who tremble at his words:[d]

“Your own brothers who hate you
    and exclude you because of my name
have said: ‘Let the Lord be glorified;
    he will see[e] your joy,’
        yet it is they who will be put to shame.

“Listen to that uproar in[f] the city!
    Listen to that noise from the Temple!
It is the sound of the Lord
    paying back retribution to his enemies!

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 66:3 So 1QIsaa LXX; 1QIsab MT lack just like
  2. Isaiah 66:4 Or So
  3. Isaiah 66:4 So 1QIsaa; MT LXX read and no
  4. Isaiah 66:5 So 1QIsaa; MT LXX read his word
  5. Isaiah 66:5 So 1QIsaa; MT reads so that we may see; LXX reads so that the name of the Lord may be glorified
  6. Isaiah 66:6 So 1QIsaa; MT LXX read from