I am Isaiah, the son of Amoz. And this is the message that I was given about Judah and Jerusalem when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were the kings of Judah:

A Guilty Nation

The Lord has said, “Listen, heaven and earth! The children I raised have turned against me.

Israel, you are a sinful nation loaded down with guilt. You are wicked and corrupt and have turned from the Lord, the holy God of Israel.

Why be punished more? Why not give up your sin? Your head is badly bruised, and you are weak all over.

From your head to your toes there isn't a healthy spot. Bruises, cuts, and open sores go without care or oil to ease the pain.

A Country in Ruins

Your country lies in ruins; your towns are in ashes. Foreigners and strangers take and destroy your land while you watch.

Enemies surround Jerusalem, alone like a hut in a vineyard or in a cucumber field.

Zion would have disappeared like Sodom and Gomorrah, if the Lord All-Powerful had not let a few of its people survive.

Justice, Not Sacrifices

You are no better than the leaders and people of Sodom and Gomorrah! So listen to the Lord God:

“Your sacrifices mean nothing to me. I am sick of your offerings of rams and choice cattle; I don't like the blood of bulls or lambs or goats.

“Who asked you to bring all this when you come to worship me? Stay out of my temple!

Your sacrifices are worthless, and your incense disgusting. I can't stand the evil you do on your New Moon Festivals or on your Sabbaths and other times of worship.

Wash yourselves clean! I hate your filthy deeds. Stop doing wrong

and learn to live right. See that justice is done. Defend widows and orphans and help the oppressed.”

An Invitation from the Lord

I, the Lord, invite you to come and talk it over. Your sins are scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool.

But if you turn against me, your enemies will kill you. I, the Lord, have spoken.

Your silver is fake, and your wine is watered down.

I am the Lord All-Powerful, the mighty ruler of Israel, and I make you a promise: You are now my enemy, and I will show my anger by taking revenge on you.

The Lord Will Save Jerusalem

Jerusalem, you will be saved by showing justice; Zion's people who turn to me will be saved by doing right.

But those rebellious sinners who turn against me, the Lord, will all disappear.

Your strongest leaders will be like dry wood set on fire by their idols. No one will be able to help, as they all go up in flames.

Many people will come and say, “Let's go to the mountain of the Lord God of Jacob and worship in his temple.” The Lord will teach us his Law from Jerusalem, and we will obey him.

He will settle arguments between nations. They will pound their swords and their spears into rakes and shovels; they will never make war or attack one another.

Following Sinful Customs

Our Lord, you have deserted your people, Israel, because they follow customs of nations from the east. They worship Philistine gods and are close friends of foreigners.

They have endless treasures of silver and gold; they have countless horses and war chariots.