The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord hath spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me.

The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master’s crib; but Israel doth not know, My people doth not consider.”

Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters! They have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they have gone away backward.

Why should ye be stricken anymore? Ye will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even unto the head, there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises and putrefying sores; they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire; your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a shed in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

Unless the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah:

“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me?” saith the Lord. “I am full of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs or of hegoats.

When you come to appear before Me, who hath required this from your hand, to tread My courts?

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto Me. The new moons and Sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot endure. It is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

Your new moons and your appointed feasts My soul hateth; they are a trouble unto Me, I am weary of bearing them.

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide Mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear; your hands are full of blood.

Wash you, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes. Cease to do evil,

learn to do well. Seek judgment, relieve the oppressed; judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” saith the Lord. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land;

but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword”; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it, but now murderers.

Thy silver has become dross, thy wine mixed with water.

Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth bribes, and followeth after rewards. They judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

Therefore saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: “Ah, I will ease Me of Mine adversaries, and avenge Me of Mine enemies.

And I will turn My hand against thee, and wholly purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin.

I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning. Afterward thou shalt be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.”

Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.

And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For ye shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.

For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.

And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark; and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for Jehovah hath spoken: I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, children that deal corruptly! they have forsaken Jehovah, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are estranged and gone backward.

Why will ye be still stricken, that ye revolt more and more? the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and fresh stripes: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with oil.

Your country is desolate; your cities are burned with fire; your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

And the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

Except Jehovah of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

Hear the word of Jehovah, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

What unto me is the multitude of your sacrifices? saith Jehovah: I have had enough of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats.

When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to trample my courts?

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; new moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies,—I cannot away with iniquity and the solemn meeting.

Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth; they are a trouble unto me; I am weary of bearing them.

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it.

How is the faithful city become a harlot! she that was full of justice! righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.

Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water.

Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth bribes, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

Therefore saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies;

and I will turn my hand upon thee, and thoroughly purge away thy dross, and will take away all thy tin;

and I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called The city of righteousness, a faithful town.

Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness.

But the destruction of transgressors and sinners shall be together, and they that forsake Jehovah shall be consumed.

For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.

For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.

And the strong shall be as tow, and his work as a spark; and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

The vision of [the prophet] Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning [the kingdom of] Judah and [its capital] Jerusalem, which he saw [as revealed by God] during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth; For the Lord has spoken: “I have reared and brought up sons, But they have rebelled against Me and have broken away.

“The ox [instinctively] knows its owner, And the donkey its master’s feeding trough, But Israel does not know [Me as Lord], My people do not understand.”

Ah, sinful nation, A people loaded down with wickedness [with sin, with injustice, with wrongdoing], Offspring of evildoers, Sons who behave corruptly! They have abandoned (rejected) the Lord, They have despised the Holy One of Israel [provoking Him to anger], They have turned away from Him.

Why should you be stricken and punished again [since no change results from it]? You [only] continue to rebel. The whole head is sick And the whole heart is faint and sick.

From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing healthy in the nation’s body, Only bruises, welts, and raw wounds, Not pressed out or bandaged, Nor softened with oil [as a remedy].

Your land lies desolate [because of your disobedience], Your cities are burned with fire, Your fields—strangers are devouring them in your very presence; It is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

The Daughter of Zion (Jerusalem) is left like a [deserted] shelter in a vineyard, Like a watchman’s hut in a cucumber field, like a besieged city [isolated, surrounded by devastation].

If the Lord of hosts Had not left us a few survivors, We would be like Sodom, We would be like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord [rulers of Jerusalem], You rulers of [another] Sodom, Listen to the law and instruction of our God, You people of [another] Gomorrah.

“What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me [without your repentance]?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of [your] burnt offerings of rams And the fat of well-fed cattle [without your obedience]; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls or lambs or goats [offered without repentance].

“When you come to appear before Me, Who requires this of you, this trampling of My [temple] courts [by your sinful feet]?

“Do not bring worthless offerings again, [Your] incense is repulsive to Me; [Your] New Moon and Sabbath [observances], the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure wickedness [your sin, your injustice, your wrongdoing] and [the squalor of] the festive assembly.

“I hate [the hypocrisy of] your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.

“So when you spread out your hands [in prayer, pleading for My help], I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you offer many prayers, I will not be listening. Your hands are full of blood!

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Get your evil deeds out of My sight. Stop doing evil,

Learn to do good. Seek justice, Rebuke the ruthless, Defend the fatherless, Plead for the [rights of the] widow [in court].

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.

“If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the best of the land;

But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

How the faithful city has become a prostitute [idolatrous, despicable], She who was full of justice! Right standing with God once lodged in her, But now murderers.

Your silver has turned to lead, Your wine is diluted with water.

Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes And chases after gifts. They do not defend the fatherless, Nor does the widow’s cause come before them [instead they delay or turn a deaf ear].

Therefore the Lord God of hosts, The Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will be freed of My adversaries And avenge Myself on My enemies.

“And I will turn My hand against you, And will [thoroughly] purge away your dross as with lye And remove all your tin (impurity).

“Then I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning; Afterward you will be called the city of righteousness, The faithful city.”

Zion will be redeemed with justice And her repentant ones with righteousness.

But rebels and sinners will be crushed and destroyed together, And those who abandon (turn away from) the Lord will be consumed (perish).

For you will be ashamed [of the degradation] of the oaks in which you took [idolatrous] pleasure, And you will be ashamed of the gardens [of passion] which you have chosen [for pagan worship].

For you will be like an oak whose leaf withers and dies And like a garden that has no water.

The strong man will become tinder, And his work a spark. So both will burn together And there will be none to quench them.

The vision [seen by spiritual perception] of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah [the kingdom] and Jerusalem [its capital] in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: I have nourished and brought up sons and have made them great and exalted, but they have rebelled against Me and broken away from Me.

The ox [instinctively] knows his owner, and the donkey his master’s crib, but Israel does not know or recognize Me [as Lord], My people do not consider or understand.

Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, sons who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised and shown contempt and provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger, they have become utterly estranged (alienated).

Why should you be stricken and punished any more [since it brings no correction]? You will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart is faint (feeble, sick, and nauseated).

From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness or health in [the nation’s body]—but wounds and bruises and fresh and bleeding stripes; they have not been pressed out and closed up or bound up or softened with oil. [No one has troubled to seek a remedy.]

[Because of your detestable disobedience] your country lies desolate, your cities are burned with fire; your land—strangers devour it in your very presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by aliens.

And the Daughter of Zion [Jerusalem] is left like a [deserted] booth in a vineyard, like a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, like a besieged city [spared, but in the midst of desolation].

Except the Lord of hosts had left us a very small remnant [of survivors], we should have been like Sodom, and we should have been like Gomorrah.

Hear [O Jerusalem] the word of the Lord, you rulers or judges of [another] Sodom! Give ear to the law and the teaching of our God, you people of [another] Gomorrah!

To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me [unless they are the offering of the heart]? says the Lord. I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts [without obedience]; and I do not delight in the blood of bulls or of lambs or of he-goats [without righteousness].

When you come to appear before Me, who requires of you that your [unholy feet] trample My courts?

Bring no more offerings of vanity (emptiness, falsity, vainglory, and futility); [your hollow offering of] incense is an abomination to Me; the New Moons and Sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot endure—[it is] iniquity and profanation, even the solemn meeting.

Your New Moon festivals and your [hypocritical] appointed feasts My soul hates. They are an oppressive burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.

And when you spread forth your hands [in prayer, imploring help], I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood!

Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes! Cease to do evil,

Learn to do right! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.

How the faithful city has become an [idolatrous] harlot, she who was full of justice! Uprightness and right standing with God [once] lodged in her—but now murderers.

Your silver has become dross, your wine is mixed with water.

Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves; everyone loves bribes and runs after compensation and rewards. They judge not for the fatherless nor defend them, neither does the cause of the widow come to them [for they delay or turn a deaf ear].

Therefore says the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will appease Myself on My adversaries and avenge Myself on My enemies.

And I will bring My hand again upon you and thoroughly purge away your dross [as with lye] and take away all your tin or alloy.

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.

Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her [returned] converts with righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God).

But the crushing and destruction of rebels and sinners shall be together, and they who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For you will be ashamed [of the folly and degradation] of the oak or terebinth trees in which you found [idolatrous] pleasure, and you will blush with shame for the [idolatrous worship which you practice in the passion-inflaming] gardens which you have chosen.

For you shall be like an oak or terebinth whose leaf withers, and like a garden that has no water.

And the strong shall become like tow and become tinder, and his work like a spark, and they shall both burn together, with none to quench them.

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

¶ Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

¶ Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

¶ How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:

Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

Therefore saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:

¶ And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:

And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.

Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.

¶ And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.

For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.

And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah.

Listen, heavens, and pay attention, earth, for the Lord has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s feeding trough, but Israel does not know; my people do not understand.”

Oh sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity, brood of evildoers, depraved children! They have abandoned the Lord; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they have turned their backs on him.

Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep on rebelling? The whole head is hurt, and the whole heart is sick.

From the sole of the foot even to the head, no spot is uninjured— wounds, welts, and festering sores not cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil.

Your land is desolate, your cities burned down; foreigners devour your fields right in front of you— a desolation, like a place demolished by foreigners.

Daughter Zion is abandoned like a shelter in a vineyard, like a shack in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

If the Lord of Armies had not left us a few survivors, we would be like Sodom, we would resemble Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

“What are all your sacrifices to me?” asks the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I have no desire for the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats.

When you come to appear before me, who requires this from you— this trampling of my courts?

Stop bringing useless offerings. Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons and Sabbaths, and the calling of solemn assemblies— I cannot stand iniquity with a festival.

I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals. They have become a burden to me; I am tired of putting up with them.

When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

“Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from my sight. Stop doing evil.

Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.

“Come, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.

But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

The faithful town— what an adulteress she has become! She was once full of justice. Righteousness once dwelt in her, but now, murderers!

Your silver has become dross to be discarded, your beer is diluted with water.

Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love graft and chase after bribes. They do not defend the rights of the fatherless, and the widow’s case never comes before them.

Therefore the Lord God of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will get even with my foes; I will take revenge against my enemies.

I will turn my hand against you and will burn away your dross completely; I will remove all your impurities.

I will restore your judges to what they were at first, and your advisers to what they were at the start. Afterward you will be called the Righteous City, a Faithful Town.”

Zion will be redeemed by justice, those who repent, by righteousness.

At the same time both rebels and sinners will be broken, and those who abandon the Lord will perish.

Indeed, they will be ashamed of the sacred trees you desired, and you will be embarrassed because of the garden shrines you have chosen.

For you will become like an oak whose leaves are withered, and like a garden without water.

The strong one will become tinder, and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to extinguish the flames.

The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah.

Listen, heavens, and pay attention, earth, for the Lord has spoken: ‘I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s feeding trough, but Israel does not know; my people do not understand.’

Oh sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity, brood of evildoers, depraved children! They have abandoned the Lord; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they have turned their backs on him.

Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep on rebelling? The whole head is hurt, and the whole heart is sick.

From the sole of the foot even to the head, no spot is uninjured – wounds, welts, and festering sores not cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil.

Your land is desolate, your cities burned down; foreigners devour your fields right in front of you – a desolation, like a place demolished by foreigners.

Daughter Zion is abandoned like a shelter in a vineyard, like a shack in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

If the Lord of Armies had not left us a few survivors, we would be like Sodom, we would resemble Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

‘What are all your sacrifices to me? ’ asks the Lord. ‘I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I have no desire for the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats.

When you come to appear before me, who requires this from you – this trampling of my courts?

Stop bringing useless offerings. Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons and Sabbaths, and the calling of solemn assemblies – I cannot stand iniquity with a festival.

I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals. They have become a burden to me; I am tired of putting up with them.

When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

‘Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from my sight. Stop doing evil.

Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.

‘Come, let’s settle this,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.

But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

The faithful town – what an adulteress she has become! She was once full of justice. Righteousness once dwelt in her, but now, murderers!

Your silver has become dross to be discarded, your beer is diluted with water.

Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love a bribe and chase after backhanders. They do not defend the rights of the fatherless, and the widow’s case never comes before them.

Therefore the Lord God of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: ‘Ah, I will get even with my foes; I will take revenge against my enemies.

I will turn my hand against you and will burn away your dross completely; I will remove all your impurities.

I will restore your judges to what they were at first, and your advisers to what they were at the start. Afterwards you will be called the Righteous City, a Faithful Town.’

Zion will be redeemed by justice, those who repent, by righteousness.

At the same time both rebels and sinners will be broken, and those who abandon the Lord will perish.

Indeed, they will be ashamed of the sacred trees you desired, and you will be embarrassed because of the garden shrines you have chosen.

For you will become like an oak whose leaves are withered, and like a garden without water.

The strong one will become tinder, and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to extinguish the flames.

The vision about Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah, Amoz’s son, saw in the days of Judah’s kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.

Hear you heavens, and listen earth, for the Lord has spoken: I reared children; I raised them, and they turned against me!

An ox knows its owner, and a donkey its master’s feeding trough. But Israel doesn’t know; my people don’t behave intelligently.

Doom! Sinful nation, people weighed down with crimes, evildoing offspring, corrupt children! They have abandoned the Lord, despised the holy one of Israel; they turned their backs on God.

Why do you invite further beatings? Why continue to rebel? Everyone’s head throbs, and everyone’s heart fails.

From head to toe, none are well— only bruises, cuts, and raw wounds, not treated, not bandaged, not soothed with oil.

Your country is deserted, your cities burned with fire; your land—strangers are devouring it in plain sight. It’s a wasteland, as when foreigners raid.

Daughter Zion is left like a small shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like a city besieged.

If the Lord of heavenly forces had not spared a few of us, we would be like Sodom; we would resemble Gomorrah.

Hear the Lord’s word, you leaders of Sodom. Listen to our God’s teaching, people of Gomorrah!

What should I think about all your sacrifices? says the Lord. I’m fed up with entirely burned offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts. I don’t want the blood of bulls, lambs, and goats.

When you come to appear before me, who asked this from you, this trampling of my temple’s courts?

Stop bringing worthless offerings. Your incense repulses me. New moon, sabbath, and the calling of an assembly— I can’t stand wickedness with celebration!

I hate your new moons and your festivals. They’ve become a burden that I’m tired of bearing.

When you extend your hands, I’ll hide my eyes from you. Even when you pray for a long time, I won’t listen. Your hands are stained with blood.

Wash! Be clean! Remove your ugly deeds from my sight. Put an end to such evil;

learn to do good. Seek justice: help the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow.

Come now, and let’s settle this, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white as snow. If they are red as crimson, they will become like wool.

If you agree and obey, you will eat the best food of the land.

But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. The Lord has said this.

This faithful town has become a prostitute! She was full of justice; righteousness lived in her— but now murderers.

Your silver has become impure; your beer is diluted with water.

Your princes are rebels, companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and pursues gifts. They don’t defend the orphan, and the widow’s cause never reaches them.

Therefore, says the Lord God of heavenly forces, the mighty one of Israel: Doom! I will vent my anger against my foes; I will take it out on my enemies,

and I will turn my hand against you. I will refine your impurities as with lye, and remove all your cinders.

Then I will restore your judges as in earlier times, and your counselors as at the beginning. After this you will be called Righteous City, Faithful Town.

Zion will be redeemed by justice, and those who change their lives by righteousness.

But God will shatter rebels and sinners alike; those who abandon the Lord will be finished.

You will be ashamed of the oaks you once desired, and embarrassed by the gardens you once chose.

You will be like an oak with withering leaves, like a garden without water.

The strong will be like dry twigs, their deeds like sparks; the two will burn together, with no one to extinguish them.

This is the vision of Yesha‘yahu the son of Amotz, which he saw concerning Y’hudah and Yerushalayim during the days of ‘Uziyahu, Yotam, Achaz and Y’chizkiyahu, kings of Y’hudah:

“Hear, heaven! Listen, earth! For Adonai is speaking. “I raised and brought up children, but they rebelled against me.

An ox knows its owner and a donkey its master’s stall, but Isra’el does not know, my people do not reflect.

“Oh, sinful nation, a people weighed down by iniquity, descendants of evildoers, immoral children! They have abandoned Adonai, spurned the Holy One of Isra’el, turned their backs on him!

“Where should I strike you next, as you persist in rebelling? The whole head is sick, the whole heart diseased.

From the sole of the foot to the head there is nothing healthy, only wounds, bruises and festering sores that haven’t been dressed or bandaged or softened up with oil.

“Your land is desolate, your cities are burned to the ground; foreigners devour your land in your presence; it’s as desolate as if overwhelmed by floods.

The daughter of Tziyon is left like a shack in a vineyard, like a shed in a cucumber field, like a city under siege.”

If Adonai-Tzva’ot had not left us a tiny, tiny remnant, we would have become like S’dom, we would have resembled ‘Amora.

Hear what Adonai says, you rulers of S’dom! Listen to God’s Torah, you people of ‘Amora!

“Why are all those sacrifices offered to me?” asks Adonai. “I’m fed up with burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened animals! I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls, lambs and goats!

Yes, you come to appear in my presence; but who asked you to do this, to trample through my courtyards?

Stop bringing worthless grain offerings! They are like disgusting incense to me! Rosh-Hodesh, Shabbat, calling convocations — I can’t stand evil together with your assemblies!

Everything in me hates your Rosh-Hodesh and your festivals; they are a burden to me — I’m tired of putting up with them!

“When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; no matter how much you pray, I won’t be listening; because your hands are covered with blood.

“Wash yourselves clean! Get your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing evil,

learn to do good! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, defend orphans, plead for the widow.

“Come now,” says Adonai, “let’s talk this over together. Even if your sins are like scarlet, they will be white as snow; even if they are red as crimson, they will be like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land;

but if you refuse and rebel, you will be eaten by the sword”; for the mouth of Adonai has spoken.

How the faithful city has become a whore! Once she was filled with justice, righteousness lodged in her; but now murderers!

Your silver is no longer pure, your wine is watered down.

Your leaders are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and run after gifts. They give no justice to orphans, the widow’s complaint doesn’t catch their attention.

“Therefore,” says the Lord, Adonai-Tzva’ot, the Mighty One of Isra’el, “I will free myself of my adversaries, I will take vengeance on my enemies.

But I will also turn my hand against you! I will cleanse your impurities as with lye and remove all your alloyed base metal.

I will restore your judges as at first and your advisers as at the beginning. After that, you will be called the City of Righteousness, Faithful City.

Tziyon will be redeemed by justice; and those in her who repent, by righteousness.

“Rebels and sinners together will be broken and those who abandon Adonai be consumed.

You will be ashamed of the sacred oaks you desired, you will blush at the gardens you chose;

for you will be like an oak whose leaf fades, like a garden without any water.

The strong will be like tinder and [the idol’s] maker like a spark; both will burn together, and no one will put them out.”

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:

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

Oxen and donkeys know who owns and feeds them, but my people won't ever learn.”

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.

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.

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.

I hate your New Moon Festivals and all others as well. They are a heavy burden I am tired of carrying.

“No matter how much you pray, I won't listen. You are too violent.

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.”

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.

If you willingly obey me, the best crops in the land will be yours.

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

Jerusalem, you are like an unfaithful wife. Once your judges were honest and your people lived right; now you are a city full of murderers.

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

Your leaders have rejected me to become friends of crooks; your rulers are looking for gifts and bribes. Widows and orphans never get a fair trial.

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.

I will punish you terribly and burn away everything that makes you unfit to worship me.

Jerusalem, I will choose judges and advisors like those you had before. Your new name will be “Justice and Faithfulness.”

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.

You will be made ashamed of those groves of trees where you worshiped idols.

You will be like a grove of trees dying in a drought.

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.

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amos, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, [ye] heavens, and give ear, [thou] earth! for Jehovah hath spoken: I have nourished and brought up children; and they have rebelled against me.

The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; Israel doth not know, my people hath no intelligence.

Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that corrupt themselves! They have forsaken Jehovah; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they are turned away backward.

Why should ye be smitten any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in him; wounds, and weals, and open sores: they have not been dressed, nor bound up, nor mollified with oil.

Your country is desolate; your cities are burned with fire; your land, strangers eat it up in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

And the daughter of Zion is left, as a booth in a vineyard, as a night-lodge in a cucumber-garden, as a besieged city.

Unless Jehovah of hosts had left us a very small residue, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

Hear the word of Jehovah, rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, people of Gomorrah!

To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith Jehovah. I am sated with burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and in the blood of bullocks, and of lambs, and of he-goats I take no pleasure.

When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this from your hand—to tread my courts?

Bring no more vain oblations! Incense is an abomination unto me,—new moon and sabbath, the calling of convocations—wickedness and the solemn meeting I cannot bear.

Your new moons and your set feasts my soul hateth: they are a burden to me; I am wearied of bearing [them].

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes;—cease to do evil,

learn to do well: seek judgment, gladden the oppressed, do justice to the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Come now, let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

If ye be willing and hearken, ye shall eat the good of the land;

but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken.

How is the faithful city become a harlot! It was full of judgment; righteousness used to lodge in it, but now murderers.

Thy silver is become dross, thy wine is mixed with water:

thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth presents, and hunteth after rewards; they judge not the fatherless, and the cause of the widow cometh not unto them.

Therefore saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: Ah! I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies.

And I will turn my hand upon thee, and will thoroughly purge away thy dross, and take away all thine alloy;

and I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning. Afterwards thou shalt be called, Town of righteousness, Faithful city.

Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and they that return of her with righteousness.

But the ruin of the transgressors and of the sinners [shall be] together; and they that forsake Jehovah shall be consumed.

For they shall be ashamed of the terebinths that ye have desired, and ye shall blush for the gardens that ye have chosen.

For ye shall be as a terebinth whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.

And the strong shall be for tow, and his work a spark; and they shall both burn together, and there shall be none to quench [them].

The vision of Isaias the son of Amos I which he saw concerning Juda and Jerusalem in the days of Ozias, Joathan, Achaz, and Ezechias, kings of Juda.

Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord hath spoken. I have brought up children, and exalted them: but they have despised me.

The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel hath not known me, and my people hath not understood.

Woe to the sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a wicked seed, ungracious children: they have forsaken the Lord, they have blasphemed the Holy One of Israel, they are gone away backwards.

For what shall I strike you any more, you that increase transgression? the whole head is sick, and the whole heart is sad.

From the sole of the foot unto the top of the head, there is no soundness therein: wounds and bruises and swelling sores: they are not bound up, nor dressed, nor fomented with oil.

Your land is desolate, your cities are burnt with fire: your country strangers devour before your face, and it shall be desolate as when wasted by enemies.

And the daughter of Sion shall be left as a covert in a vineyard, and as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, and as a city that is laid waste.

Except the Lord of hosts had left us seed, we had been as Sodom, and we should have been like to Gomorrha.

Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom, give ear to the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrha.

To what purpose do you offer me the multitude of your victims, saith the Lord? I am full, I desire not holocausts of rams, and fat of fatlings, and blood of calves, and lambs, and buck goats.

When you came to appear before me, who required these things at your hands, that you should walk in my courts?

Offer sacrifice no more in vain: incense is an abomination to me. The new moons, and the sabbaths, and other festivals I will not abide, your assemblies are wicked.

My soul hateth your new moons, and your solemnities: they are become troublesome to me, I am weary of bearing them.

And when you stretch forth your hands, I will turn away my eyes from you: and when you multiply prayer, I will not hear: for your hands are full of blood.

Wash yourselves, be clean, take away the evil of your devices from my eyes: cease to do perversely,

Learn to do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge for the fatherless, defend the widow.

And then come, and accuse me, saith the Lord: if your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow: and if they be red as crimson, they shall be white as wool.

If you be willing, and will hearken to me, you shall eat the good things of the land.

But if you will not, and will provoke me to wrath: the sword shall devour you because the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

How is the faithful city, that was full of judgment, become a harlot? justice dwelt in it, but now murderers.

Thy silver is turned into dross: thy wine is mingled with water.

Thy princes are faithless, companions of thieves: they all love bribes, the run after rewards. They judge not for the fatherless: and the widow's cometh not in to them.

Therefore saith the Lord the God of hosts, the mighty one of Israel: Ah! I will comfort myself over my adversaries: and I will be revenged of my enemies.

And I will turn my hand to thee, and I will clean purge away thy dress, and I will take away all thy tin.

And I will restore thy judges as they were before, and thy counsellors as of old. After this thou shalt be called the city of the just, a faithful city.

Sion shall be redeemed in judgment, and they shall bring her back in justice.

And he shall destroy the wicked, and the sinners together: and they that have forsaken the Lord, shall be consumed.

For they shall be confounded for the idols, to which they have sacrificed: and you shall be ashamed of the gardens which you have chosen.

When you shall be as an oak with the leaves falling off, and as a garden without water.

And your strength shall be as the ashes of tow, and your work as a spark: and both shall burn together, and there shall be none to quench it.

This is the vision of Isaiah son of Amoz. God showed Isaiah what would happen to Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah saw this during the time when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah.

Heaven and earth, listen! This is what the Lord says: “I raised my children and helped them grow up, but they have turned against me.

A bull knows its master, and a donkey knows where its owner feeds it. But Israel does not know me. My people do not understand.”

Oh, what a sinful nation! Their guilt is like a heavy weight that they must carry. They are evil, destructive children. They left the Lord and insulted the Holy One of Israel. They turned away and treated him like a stranger.

What good will it do to keep punishing you? You will continue to rebel. Your whole head and heart are already sick and aching.

From the bottom of your feet to the top of your head, every part of your body has wounds, cuts, and open sores. You have not taken care of them. Your wounds have not been cleaned and bandaged.

Your land is in ruins, and your cities are in flames. Your enemies have taken your land, and foreigners are taking what it produces. It looks like some foreigners destroyed it.

The city of Jerusalem is now like an empty shed left in a vineyard. It is like an old straw hut abandoned in a field of cucumbers or like a city surrounded by enemies.

If the Lord All-Powerful had not allowed a few people to live, we would have been destroyed completely like the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. And that almost happened!

You officers of Sodom, listen to the Lord’s message. You people of Gomorrah, listen to God’s teaching.

The Lord says, “Why do you continue giving me all these sacrifices? I have had enough of your sacrifices of rams and the fat from well-fed animals. I don’t want the blood of those bulls, sheep, and goats.

When you people come to meet with me, you trample everything in my yard. Who told you to do this?

“Don’t keep bringing me those worthless sacrifices. I hate the incense you give me. I cannot stand your festivals for the New Moon, the Sabbath, and other special meeting days. I hate the evil you do during those holy times together.

I hate your monthly meetings and councils. They have become like heavy weights to me, and I am tired of carrying them.

“When you raise your arms to pray to me, I will refuse to look at you. You will say more and more prayers, but I will refuse to listen because your hands are covered with blood.

“Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean. Stop doing the evil things I see you do. Stop doing wrong.

Learn to do good. Treat people fairly. Punish those who hurt others. Speak up for the widows and orphans. Argue their cases for them in court.

“I, the Lord, am the one speaking to you. Come, let’s discuss this. Even if your sins are as dark as red dye, that stain can be removed and you will be as pure as wool that is as white as snow.

“If you listen to what I say, you will get the good things from this land.

But if you refuse to listen and rebel against me, your enemies will destroy you.” The Lord himself said this.

Look at Jerusalem. She was a faithful city. What made her become like a prostitute? In the past, Jerusalem was filled with justice, and goodness should live there now. Instead, there are murderers.

Once you were like pure silver, but now you are like the impurities that people throw away when the silver is purified. You are like good wine that has been weakened with water.

Your rulers are rebels and friends of thieves. They demand bribes and accept money for doing wrong. They take money to cheat people, and they don’t speak up for widows and orphans. They will not even listen to their cries for help.

Because of this, the Lord God All-Powerful, the Mighty One of Israel, says, “Look, I will get relief from my enemies. You will not cause me any more trouble.

People use lye to clean silver. In the same way, I will clean away all your wrongs. I will remove all the impurities from you.

I will bring back the kind of judges you had in the beginning. Your counselors will be like those you had long ago. Then you will be called ‘The Good and Faithful City.’”

God is good and does what is right, so he will rescue Zion and the people who come back to him.

But all the criminals and sinners will be destroyed. Those who stopped following the Lord will be removed.

In the future, you will be ashamed of the oak trees and special gardens you chose to worship,

because you will be like an oak tree whose leaves are dying. You will be like a garden dying without water.

Powerful people will be like small, dry pieces of wood, and what they did will be like the sparks that start a fire. These people and their works will both burn up, and no one will be able to put out that fire.

This is a vision that God showed to Isaiah, the son of Amoz. It was a message about his country, Judah, and the city of Jerusalem. God showed it to Isaiah at the time when Uzziah, then Jotham, then Ahaz and then Hezekiah were kings of Judah.

Hear the Lord, those who live in heaven! Listen to him, you people on the earth! Listen carefully because the Lord has spoken! He says, ‘I have helped my children to grow. I took care of them but now they have turned against me!

An ox knows its master. A donkey knows the place where its master feeds it. But Israel's people do not know me. My people do not understand me.’

Oh! Israel, you are a nation of people who do not obey me. The people are guilty of many evil things. Their sins are like a heavy weight on their backs. They are a family of people who do wicked things. They have turned away from the Lord, the Holy God of Israel. They have turned their backs against him.

You continue to fight against God. Why do you do that? God will continue to punish you. You are weak and you hurt all over. Your mind and your body have great pain.

From the bottom of your feet, to the top of your head, everywhere hurts! There are wounds all over your body that are still bleeding. Nobody has cleaned your wounds or covered them. Nobody has put olive oil on them to make them better.

Your land has become useless. Fire has destroyed your towns and cities. Foreign people have taken the crops from your fields, while you stood there and watched. Strangers have destroyed everything in your country.

Jerusalem is now like a hut in a vineyard or in a field of crops. It stands there alone, with its enemies all round it.

Unless the Lord Almighty had left some of us alive, we would have become like Sodom. We would have been completely destroyed, like Gomorrah.

Yes, you are like the rulers of Sodom, so listen to the Lord's message! You are no better than the people in Gomorrah! So listen to what our God is saying to you.

The Lord says, ‘All your sacrifices are not important to me. I have received too many sacrifices that you have burned as gifts to me. I have received too many sheep and fat animals. I do not want any more blood from bulls, goats and lambs that you have offered to me as sacrifices. They do not give me any pleasure.

You come to worship me in my temple. But are you doing what I want? Did I ask you to march round the temple yards with all your animals?

Do not bring any more useless gifts to offer to me! I do not like your incense. You like to have feasts at new moons, or on Sabbath days. But because of your sins, I hate all your holy meetings.

I hate your new moon feasts and your holy meetings. They have become like a heavy load for me. I cannot carry it any longer!

When you lift up your hands to pray to me, I have to look away. Even if you pray very many times to me, I do not listen to you, because your hands are full of blood.

Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean! Remove your sins, so that I no longer see them. Stop doing evil things!

Instead, learn to do what is right. Be honest and fair in what you do. Help people who are in pain. Make sure that widows and children who have no family receive justice.’

The Lord says, ‘Please come, so that we talk about this together. Even if your sins are like a red stain, they will become as white as snow. Even if they are bright red, they will become like white wool.

I will forgive you if you agree to obey me. If you are ready to do that, you will again eat plenty of good food from the land.

But if you refuse to obey me and you turn against me, you will die in war.’ That is what the Lord himself has said.

Oh! Jerusalem! Once you loved the Lord, as a wife loves her husband. But now you have become like a prostitute! At one time, the city was full of justice, and honest people lived there. But now the city is full of murderers!

Your pure silver has become dirt. You have mixed water with your best wine.

Your rulers have turned against God. They are friends of robbers. They all accept bribes and they love to receive gifts. But they do not help widows or children who have no family. They do not make sure that they receive justice.

So the Lord says this. He is the Lord Almighty, Israel's Mighty One. He says, ‘Oh! I will punish my enemies as they deserve. I will pay them back!

I will turn against you, Jerusalem. I will make you pure again. But you will be like metal that burns in a very hot fire to remove all the dirt.

Then I will again give you honest judges, as you had a long time ago. I will also give you wise officers, as you had before. After that, you will be called “The Righteous City” and “The Faithful City”.’

God will use justice to make Zion free. He will do what is right for those who return to serve him.

But he will destroy people who turn against him, and those who continue to do wrong things. People who no longer trust the Lord will live no more.

You will become ashamed because you trusted special oak trees to help you. You worshipped idols in your special gardens, and you will be ashamed because of that.

You will be like an oak tree with leaves that have become dry. You will be like a garden that has no water.

Even your most powerful men will disappear. They will be like a piece of string that burns in a fire. Their sins will be the fire that destroys them. They and their sins will burn together, and nobody will put out the fire.

The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear this, O heavens, and listen, O earth, for the Lord has spoken. I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows its owner, and the donkey knows its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know. My people do not understand.

How terrible it will be for that sinful nation, for a people loaded with guilt, offspring who act wickedly, children who are corrupt! They have forsaken the Lord. They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They have deserted him and turned back.

Why do you keep earning more beatings? Why do you continue to rebel? Your whole head is wounded. Your whole heart is weak.

From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is nothing healthy, but only wounds, welts, and open sores. Your wounds have not been cleaned or bandaged or soothed with olive oil.

Your country is desolate. Your cities are burned with fire. Foreigners devour your farmland right in front of your eyes, and it is desolate, overthrown by foreigners.

The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a melon field, like a besieged city.

Unless the Lord of Armies had left us a small surviving remnant, we would have been like Sodom; we would have become just like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

What do your many sacrifices mean to me? says the Lord. I have more than enough rams as burnt offerings and enough fat from well-fed animals. I am not pleased with the blood of bulls or the blood of lambs and male goats.

When you come to appear before me, who has asked for this from your hands: this trampling on my courts?

Stop bringing worthless offerings! Your incense is an abomination to me. I cannot stand your sinful assemblies on the new moons, Sabbaths, and holy days.

Deep in my soul I hate your new moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to me. I am tired of putting up with them.

When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you. Indeed, even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.

Wash yourselves. Purify yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from my sight. Stop doing evil.

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Seek justice for the fatherless. Plead for the widow.

Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow. Though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat good things from the land,

but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. Yes, the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Look how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She was full of justice. Righteousness once lived in her, but now murderers live there.

Your silver has become slag. Your drinks are mixed with water.

Your officials are rebellious. They are partners with thieves. Everyone loves bribes and chases payoffs. They do not obtain justice for the fatherless, and they do not take up the cause of the widow.

Therefore the Lord, the Lord of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says: I must certainly get relief from my adversaries. I will avenge myself on my enemies.

I will turn my hand against you. I will smelt away all your slag. I will take away all your impurities.

I will restore your judges as they were at first, and your advisors as they were in the beginning. Afterward you will be called a righteous city, a faithful town.

Zion will be redeemed with justice, and those who return to her will be redeemed with righteousness.

But the rebels and sinners will be destroyed all together, and those who forsake the Lord will come to an end.

For you will be ashamed of the oaks that you have desired, and you will be embarrassed by the groves that you have chosen.

For you will be like an oak whose leaves wilt, and like a grove that has no water.

The strong will be like tinder, and their work will be like a spark. Both will burn together, and no one will put out the fire.

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”

Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged.

Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds; they are not pressed out or bound up or softened with oil.

Your country lies desolate; your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence foreigners devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners.

And the daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a lodge in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

“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 well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.

“When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts?

Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.

Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.

When you spread 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.

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil,

learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

How the faithful city has become a whore, she who was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.

Your silver has become dross, your best wine mixed with water.

Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow's cause does not come to them.

Therefore the Lord declares, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: “Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge myself on my foes.

I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.

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.”

Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness.

But rebels and sinners shall be broken together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For they shall be ashamed of the oaks that you desired; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen.

For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water.

And the strong shall become tinder, and his work a spark, and both of them shall burn together, with none to quench them.

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”

Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged.

Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds; they are not pressed out or bound up or softened with oil.

Your country lies desolate; your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence foreigners devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners.

And the daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a lodge in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

“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 well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.

“When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts?

Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.

Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.

When you spread 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.

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil,

learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

How the faithful city has become a whore, she who was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.

Your silver has become dross, your best wine mixed with water.

Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow's cause does not come to them.

Therefore the Lord declares, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: “Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge myself on my foes.

I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.

And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counsellors as at the beginning. Afterwards you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.”

Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness.

But rebels and sinners shall be broken together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For they shall be ashamed of the oaks that you desired; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen.

For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water.

And the strong shall become tinder, and his work a spark, and both of them shall burn together, with none to quench them.

This is the vision Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem ·while [^Lin the days when] Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah [792–686 bc].

Listen, heavens, and pay attention, earth [^Lwitnesses of the covenant; Deut. 30:19], because the Lord is speaking: “I raised ·my children [or sons; ^Cthe nation Israel] and ·helped them grow [brought them] up, but they have ·turned [rebelled] against me.

An ox knows its ·master [owner], and a donkey knows ·where its owner feeds it [^Lthe feeding trough/crib of its owner/master], but the people of Israel do not know me; my people do not understand.”

·How terrible [Woe; Alas]! ·Israel is a nation of sin [^LSinful nation!], a people ·loaded [weighed] down with guilt, ·a group of children [offspring; brood; seed] ·doing evil [or born from evildoers], ·children [or sons] who ·are full of evil [act corruptly; are depraved]. They have ·left [abandoned; forsaken] the Lord; they ·hate [despise; or have rejected/spurned] the Holy One of Israel [^CIsaiah’s favorite title for God], and have ·turned away [become alienated/estranged] from him.

Why ·should you continue to be [or do you insist on being] ·punished [battered; struck down]? Why do you continue to ·turn against him [rebel]? Your whole head is ·hurt [bruised; wounded], and your whole heart is ·sick [faint; weak].

There is no ·healthy spot [soundness] from the ·bottom [sole] of your foot to the top of your head; you are covered with ·wounds [bruises], ·hurts [sores; welts], and ·open sores [raw/infected wounds] that are not ·cleaned [^Lpressed out] and ·covered [bandaged], ·and no medicine takes away the pain [^Lnot soothed/softened with oil].

Your land is ·ruined [desolate]; your cities have been burned with fire. ·While you watch [Right in front of you], ·your enemies [^Lforeigners; strangers] ·are stealing everything from [destroy; devour] your ·land [fields; crops]; it is ruined like a country ·destroyed [overthrown] by ·enemies [^Lforeigners; strangers].

Jerusalem [^LDaughter Zion; ^Cthe location of the Temple] is left alone like an ·empty shelter [or watchman’s hut] in a vineyard, like a ·hut [shelter] left in a field of ·melons [or cucumbers], like a city ·surrounded by enemies [besieged].

If the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; ^Tof hosts] had not ·allowed a few of our people to live [left us a few survivors], we would have been like the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah [^Ccompletely destroyed; Gen. 19].

·Hear [Listen to] the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom [^CJerusalem is compared sarcastically to evil Sodom and Gomorrah]! listen to the ·teaching [instruction] of our God, You people of Gomorrah!

The Lord says, “·I do not want all these sacrifices [^LWhat are your many sacrifices to me?]. I ·have had enough of [am stuffed full with] your burnt sacrifices [Lev. 1:1–17] of male sheep and fat from ·fine [fattened] ·animals [beasts; cattle]. I ·am not pleased by [take no pleasure in] the blood of bulls, lambs, and goats.

You ·come to meet with [appear before; worship] me, but who asked you to do all this ·running in and out of [trampling/parading through] my ·Temple’s rooms [courts; courtyards]?

Don’t continue bringing me ·worthless [meaningless; futile] sacrifices! ·I hate the incense you burn [^LIncense is detestable/an abomination to me]. I can’t stand your New Moons, Sabbaths, and ·other feast days [convocations; sacred assemblies]; I can’t ·stand [endure] ·the evil you do in your holy meetings [^Lsin and assembly].

I hate your New Moon ·feasts [festivals; Num. 28:11–15] and your ·other yearly [annual; appointed] feasts. They have become a ·heavy weight on [burden to] me, and I ·am tired of carrying it [or can no longer tolerate them].

When you ·raise your arms to me [^Lspread out your hands] in prayer, I will ·refuse to look at [look the other way; ^Lhide my eyes from] you. Even if you say many prayers, I will not listen to you, because your hands are ·full of [covered with] blood.

Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean. ·Stop doing the evil things I see you do [^LTake away your evil deeds from my eyes]. Stop doing wrong.

Learn to do ·good [right]. Seek justice. ·Punish those who hurt others [Rebuke the oppressor; or Encourage the oppressed]. ·Help [Defend; Bring justice to] the ·orphans [fatherless]. ·Stand up for the rights of [^LContend/Strive for] widows.”

The Lord says, “Come, let us ·talk about these things [reason together; or settle this matter; or consider your options]. Though your sins are like scarlet [^Cstained with blood; vv. 15, 21], they can be as white as snow. Though your sins are ·deep red [^Lred as crimson/purple], they can be white like wool.

If you become willing and ·obey [listen to] me, you will eat ·good crops from [the good of] the land.

But if you ·refuse to obey [resist] and ·if you turn against me [rebel], you will be ·destroyed [^Ldevoured] by your enemies’ swords [^Cthe options are to eat the crops or be eaten by the swords].” The Lord himself ·said these things [has spoken].

[^LSee how; or How…!] The ·city of Jerusalem once followed the Lord [^Lfaithful city], ·but she is no longer loyal to him [^L…has become a prostitute/whore; ^Ca metaphor for spiritual treachery]. She used to be filled with ·fairness [justice]; ·people there lived the way God wanted [Righteousness/Justice lived/lodged there; ^Cpersonification]. But now, murderers live there.

·Jerusalem, you have become like the scum left when silver is purified [^LYour silver has become dross/scum]; you are like ·wine [beer; alcohol; ^Ldrink] ·mixed [diluted; weakened] with water.

Your ·rulers [princes] are rebels and ·friends [companions; associates] of thieves. They all ·accept money for doing wrong [^Llove bribes], and they ·are paid to cheat people [pursue rewards/gifts]. They don’t ·seek justice for [defend the cause of] the ·orphans [fatherless] or ·listen to the widows’ needs [or defend the widows’ rights; ^Lthe widows’ disputes do not come before them].

So the Lord God ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; ^Tof hosts], the Mighty One of Israel, says: “[^LWoe; Alas; Aha,] I will ·take revenge on [vent my wrath against; or get relief from; console myself by destroying] my ·foes [enemies; adversaries]. I will pay back my ·enemies [foes].

I will turn [^Lmy hand] against you and ·clean away all your wrongs as if with soap [or purify you as metal is refined; ^Lpurge your dross as with lye/potash/soap]; I will ·take all the worthless things out of you [^Lremove all your impurities/slag].

I will ·bring back [restore] judges as you had ·long ago [formerly; at the first]; your ·counselors [advisors] will be like those you had in the beginning. Then you will be called the City ·That Is Right with God [of Righteousness/Justice], the ·Loyal [Faithful; Trustworthy] City.”

By ·doing what is fair [justice], ·Jerusalem [^LZion; ^Cthe location of the Temple] will be ·free again [redeemed; restored]. By ·doing what is right [righteousness], her ·people who come back to the Lord [penitent/repentant ones; or returnees] will have freedom.

But ·those who turn against him [rebels] and sinners will be destroyed; those who ·have left [abandon; forsake] the Lord will ·die [perish; come to an end; cease].

“You will be ashamed, because ·you have worshiped gods under the oak trees [^Lof the oaks you have desired; ^Cpagan worship sites]. You will be ·disgraced [embarrassed], because ·you have worshiped idols in your gardens [^Lof the gardens you have chosen; 66:17].

You will be like an oak whose leaves are ·dying [withered] or like a garden without water.

Powerful people will ·be [or become] like ·small, dry pieces of wood [tinder; kindling], and their works will be like sparks. They will burn together, and no one will be able to put out that fire.”

2 Isaiah reproveth the Jews of their ingratitude and stubbornness, that neither for benefits nor punishments would amend. 11 He showed why their sacrifices are rejected, and wherein God’s true service standeth. 24 He prophesieth of the destruction of Jerusalem, 25 and of the restitution thereof. A vision of Isaiah, the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah Kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and hearken, O earth: for the Lord hath said, I have nourished and brought up children, but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel hath not known: my people hath not understood.

Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity: a seed of the wicked, corrupt children: they have forsaken the Lord: they have provoked the Holy one of Israel to anger: they are gone backward.

Wherefore should ye be smitten anymore? for ye fall away more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart is heavy.

From the sole of the foot unto the head, there is nothing whole therein, but wounds and swelling, and sores full of corruption: they have not been wrapped, nor bound up nor mollified with oil.

Your land is waste: your cities are burnt with fire: strangers devour your land in your presence, and it is desolate like the overthrow of strangers.

And the daughter of Zion shall remain like a cottage in a vineyard, like a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, and like a besieged city.

Except the Lord of hosts had reserved unto us even a small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and should have been like unto Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, O princes of Sodom: hearken unto the Law of our God, O people of Gomorrah.

What have I to do with the multitude of your sacrifices, saith the Lord? I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and of the fat of fed beasts: and I desire not the blood of bullocks, nor of lambs, nor of goats.

When ye come to appear before me, who required this of your hands to tread in my courts?

Bring no more oblations, in vain: incense is an abomination unto me: I cannot suffer your new moons, nor Sabbath, nor solemn days (it is iniquity) nor solemn assemblies.

My soul hateth your new moons and your appointed feasts: they are a burden unto me: I am weary to bear them.

And when you shall stretch out your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: and though ye make many prayers, I will not hear: for your hands are full of blood.

Wash you, make you clean, take away the evil of your works from before mine eyes: cease to do evil.

Learn to do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed: judge the fatherless, and defend the widow.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins were as crimson, they shall be made white as snow: though they were red like scarlet, they shall be as wool,

If ye consent and obey, ye shall eat the good things of the land.

But if ye refuse and be rebellious, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

How is the faithful city become an harlot? it was full of judgment, and justice lodged therein, but now they are murderers.

Thy silver is become dross: thy wine is mixed with water.

Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the widow’s cause come before them.

Therefore saith the Lord God of hosts, the Mighty one of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies.

Then I will turn mine hand upon thee, and burn out thy dross, till it be pure, and take away all thy tin.

And I will restore thy Judges as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning: afterward shalt thou be called a city of righteousness, and a faithful city.

Zion shall be redeemed in judgment, and they that return in her, in justice.

And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together: and they that forsake the Lord, shall be consumed.

For they shall be confounded for the oaks, which ye have desired, and ye shall be ashamed of the gardens that ye have chosen,

For ye shall be as an oak, whose leaf fadeth: and as a garden that hath no water.

And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker thereof as a spark: and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

This is the vision which Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw about Judah and Jerusalem at the time of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.

Listen, heaven, and pay attention, earth! The Lord has spoken, “I raised ⌞my⌟ children and helped them grow, but they have rebelled against me.

Oxen know their owners, and donkeys know where their masters feed them. But Israel doesn’t know ⌞its owner⌟. My people don’t understand ⌞who feeds them⌟.

“How horrible it will be for a nation that sins. ⌞Its⌟ people are loaded down with guilt. They are descendants of evildoers and destructive children. They have abandoned the Lord. They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They have turned their backs on him.

“Why do you still want to be beaten? Why do you continue to rebel? Your whole head is infected. Your whole heart is failing.

From the bottom of your feet to the top of your head there is no healthy spot left on your ⌞body⌟— only bruises, sores, and fresh wounds. They haven’t been cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil.

“Your country is devastated. Your cities are burned down. Your fields are destroyed right before your eyes by foreigners. Your fields are devastated and taken over by foreigners.

My people Zion are left like a hut in a vineyard, like a shack in a cucumber field, like a city under attack.”

If the Lord of Armies hadn’t left us a few survivors, we would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Listen to the Lord’s word, you rulers of Sodom! Pay attention to the teachings from our God, you people of Gomorrah!

The Lord asks, “What do your many animal sacrifices mean to me? I’ve had enough of your burnt offerings of rams and enough fat from your fattened calves. I’m not pleased with the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats.

When you appear in my presence, who asked you to trample on my courtyards?

Don’t bring any more worthless grain offerings. Your incense is disgusting to me, so are your New Moon Festivals, your days of rest—holy days, and the assemblies you call. I can’t stand your evil assemblies.

I hate your New Moon Festivals and your appointed festivals. They’ve become a burden to me, and I’m tired of putting up with them.

So when you stretch out your hands ⌞in prayer⌟, I will turn my eyes away from you. Even though you offer many prayers, I will not listen because your hands are covered with blood.

“Wash yourselves! Become clean! Get your evil deeds out of my sight. Stop doing evil.

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Arrest oppressors. Defend orphans. Plead the case of widows.”

“Come on now, let’s discuss this!” says the Lord. “Though your sins are bright red, they will become as white as snow. Though they are dark red, they will become as white as wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land.

But if you refuse and rebel, you will be destroyed by swords.” The Lord has spoken.

How the faithful town has become a prostitute! She was full of justice, and righteousness lived in her. But now murderers live there!

Your silver is not pure. Your wine is watered down.

Your rulers are rebels, friends with thieves. They all love bribes and run after gifts. They never defend orphans. They don’t notice the widows’ pleas.

That’s why the Lord, the Lord of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says, “How horrible it will be when I take revenge on my opponents! I will avenge myself against my enemies.

I will turn my power against you. I will remove your impurities with bleach. I will get rid of all your impurities.

I will give you judges like you had long ago, advisers like you had in the beginning. After that you will be called the Righteous City, the Faithful Town.”

Zion will be pardoned by ⌞the Lord’s⌟ justice, and those who return will be pardoned by ⌞the Lord’s⌟ righteousness.

Rebels and sinners will be crushed at the same time, and those who abandon the Lord will come to an end.

You will be ashamed of the oaks that you wanted to worship and embarrassed by the garden that you have chosen for your gods.

You will be like an oak whose leaves wither and like a garden without water.

Strong people will become tinder for a fire, and their work will be the spark. Both of them will burn together, and there will be no one to put out the fire.

This book contains the messages about Judah and Jerusalem which God revealed to Isaiah son of Amoz during the time when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah.

The Lord said, “Earth and sky, listen to what I am saying! The children I brought up have rebelled against me.

Cattle know who owns them, and donkeys know where their master feeds them. But that is more than my people Israel know. They don't understand at all.”

You are doomed, you sinful nation, you corrupt and evil people! Your sins drag you down! You have rejected the Lord, the holy God of Israel, and have turned your backs on him.

Why do you keep on rebelling? Do you want to be punished even more? Israel, your head is already covered with wounds, and your heart and mind are sick.

From head to foot there is not a healthy spot on your body. You are covered with bruises and sores and open wounds. Your wounds have not been cleaned or bandaged. No medicine has been put on them.

Your country has been devastated, and your cities have been burned to the ground. While you look on, foreigners take over your land and bring everything to ruin.

Jerusalem alone is left, a city under siege—as defenseless as a guard's hut in a vineyard or a shed in a cucumber field.

If the Lord Almighty had not let some of the people survive, Jerusalem would have been totally destroyed, just as Sodom and Gomorrah were.

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.

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.

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?

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.

I hate your New Moon Festivals and holy days; they are a burden that I am tired of bearing.

“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.

Wash yourselves clean. Stop all this evil that I see you doing. Yes, stop doing evil

and learn to do right. See that justice is done—help those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights, and defend widows.”

The Lord says, “Now, let's settle the matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool.

If you will only obey me, you will eat the good things the land produces.

But if you defy me, you are doomed to die. I, the Lord, have spoken.”

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.

Jerusalem, you were once like silver, but now you are worthless; you were like good wine, but now you are only water.

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.

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.

I will take action against you. I will purify you the way metal is refined, and will remove all your impurity.

I will give you rulers and advisers like those you had long ago. Then Jerusalem will be called the righteous, faithful city.”

Because the Lord is righteous, he will save Jerusalem and everyone there who repents.

But he will crush everyone who sins and rebels against him; he will kill everyone who forsakes him.

You will be sorry that you ever worshiped trees and planted sacred gardens.

You will wither like a dying oak, like a garden that no one waters.

Just as straw is set on fire by a spark, so powerful people will be destroyed by their own evil deeds, and no one will be able to stop the destruction.

The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Listen, heavens, and pay attention, earth, for the Lord has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me.

The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s feeding trough, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.”

Oh sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity, brood of evildoers, depraved children! They have abandoned the Lord; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they have turned their backs on Him.

Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep on rebelling? The whole head is hurt, and the whole heart is sick.

From the sole of the foot even to the head, no spot is uninjured— wounds, welts, and festering sores not cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil.

Your land is desolate, your cities burned with fire; foreigners devour your fields before your very eyes— a desolation demolished by foreigners.

Daughter Zion is abandoned like a shelter in a vineyard, like a shack in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

If the Lord of Hosts had not left us a few survivors, we would be like Sodom, we would resemble Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

“What are all your sacrifices to Me?” asks the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I have no desire for the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats.

When you come to appear before Me, who requires this from you— this trampling of My courts?

Stop bringing useless offerings. Your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons and Sabbaths, and the calling of solemn assemblies— I cannot stand iniquity with a festival.

I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals. They have become a burden to Me; I am tired of putting up with them.

When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

“Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil.

Learn to do what is good. Seek justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.

“Come, let us discuss this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.

But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

The faithful city— what an adulteress she has become! She was once full of justice. Righteousness once dwelt in her— but now, murderers!

Your silver has become dross, your beer is diluted with water.

Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love graft and chase after bribes. They do not defend the rights of the fatherless, and the widow’s case never comes before them.

Therefore the Lord God of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will gain satisfaction from My foes; I will take revenge against My enemies.

I will turn My hand against you and will burn away your dross completely; I will remove all your impurities.

I will restore your judges to what they once were, and your advisers to their former state. Afterward you will be called the Righteous City, a Faithful City.”

Zion will be redeemed by justice, her repentant ones by righteousness.

But both rebels and sinners will be destroyed, and those who abandon the Lord will perish.

Indeed, they will be ashamed of the sacred trees you desired, and you will be embarrassed because of the gardens you have chosen.

For you will become like an oak whose leaves are withered, and like a garden without water.

The strong one will become tinder, and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames.

This is the vision Isaiah son of Amoz saw. God showed Isaiah what would happen to Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah saw these things while Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah.

Heaven and earth, listen, because the Lord is speaking: “I raised my children and helped them grow. But they have turned against me.

An ox knows its master. And a donkey knows where its owner feeds it. But the people of Israel do not know me. My people do not understand.”

Terrible times are coming for Israel, a nation of sin. The people are loaded down with guilt. They are like a group of children doing evil. They are full of evil. They have left the Lord. They hate God, the Holy One of Israel. They have turned away from him.

Why should you continue to be punished? Why do you continue to turn against him? Your whole head is hurt. And your whole heart is sick.

There is no healthy spot from the bottom of your foot to the top of your head. You are covered with wounds, hurts, and open sores. Your wounds are not cleaned and covered. No medicine takes away the pain.

Your land is ruined. Your cities have been burned with fire. While you watch, your enemies are stealing everything from your land. Your land is ruined like a country destroyed by enemies.

Jerusalem is left alone like an empty shelter in a vineyard. It is like a hut left in a field of melons. It is like a city surrounded by enemies.

The Lord of heaven’s armies allowed a few of our people to live. Otherwise we would have been completely destroyed like the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Jerusalem, your rulers are like those of Sodom. Your people are like those of Gomorrah. Hear the word of the Lord. Listen to the teachings of our God!

The Lord says, “I do not want all these sacrifices you give me. I have had enough of your sacrifices of male sheep and fat from fine animals. I am not pleased by the blood of bulls, sheep, and goats.

You come to meet with me. But who asked you to do all this running in and out?

Don’t continue bringing me worthless sacrifices! I hate the incense you burn. I can’t stand your New Moons, Sabbaths, and other feast days. I can’t stand the evil you do in holding your holy meetings.

I hate your New Moon feasts and your other yearly feasts. They have become like heavy weights on me. I am tired of carrying them.

You will raise your arms in prayer to me. But I will refuse to look at you. Even if you say many prayers, I will not listen to you. It’s because your hands are full of blood.

Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean. Stop doing the evil things I see you do. Stop doing wrong!

Learn to do good. Be fair to other people. Punish those who hurt others. Help the orphans. Stand up for the rights of widows.”

The Lord says, “Come, we will talk these things over. Your sins are red like deep red cloth. But they can be as white as snow. Your sins are bright red. But you can be white like wool.

If you will obey me, you will eat good crops from the land.

But if you refuse to obey and if you turn against me, you will be destroyed by your enemies’ swords.” The Lord himself said these things.

The city of Jerusalem once followed the Lord. But she is no longer loyal to the Lord. She used to be filled with fairness. People there lived the way God wanted. But now, murderers live there.

Jerusalem, you have become like the scum left when silver is purified. You are like wine mixed with water.

Your rulers are rebels. They are friends of thieves. They all accept money for doing wrong things. They are paid to cheat people. They don’t try to help the orphans. And they don’t listen to the widows’ needs.

The Master, the Lord of heaven’s armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says: “You, my enemies, will not cause me any more trouble. I will pay you back for what you did.

I will turn against you. I will clean away all your wrongs as if with soap. I will take all the worthless things out of you.

I will bring back judges as you had long ago. Your counselors will be like the ones you had in the beginning. Then you will be called the City That Is Right with God. You will be called the Loyal City.”

Because the Lord does what is fair, he will rescue Jerusalem. Because the Lord does what is right, he will save her people who come back to him.

But sinners and those who turn against him will be destroyed. Those who have left the Lord will die.

“You will be ashamed because you have worshiped false gods under the oak trees. You will be disgraced because you have worshiped idols in your gardens.

You will be like an oak whose leaves are dying. You will be like a garden without water.

Powerful people will be like small, dry pieces of wood. And what they do will be like sparks. The people and what they do will burn together. And no one will be able to stop that fire.”

This is the vision that Amoz’s son Isaiah had about Judah and Jerusalem during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Listen, you heavens, and let the earth pay attention, because the Lord has spoken: “I reared children and brought them to adulthood, but then they rebelled against me.

The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s feeding trough, but Israel doesn’t know, and my people don’t understand.

“Oh, you sinful nation! You people burdened down by iniquity! You offspring of those who keep practicing what is evil! You corrupt children! “They’ve abandoned the Lord; they’ve despised the Holy One of Israel; in their estrangement, they’ve walked away from me.

“Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? Your whole head is sick, and your whole heart is faint.

From the sole of your foot to the top of your head, there’s no soundness evident— only bruises, sores, and festering wounds that haven’t been cleaned out, bandaged, or treated with oil.”

“Your country lies desolate; your cities have been incinerated. Before your very eyes, foreigners are devouring your land— they’ve brought devastation on it, while the land is overthrown by foreigners.

“The daughter of Zion is left abandoned, like a booth in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, or like a city under siege.

If the Lord of the Heavenly Armies hadn’t left us a few survivors, we would be like Sodom; we would be like Gomorrah.

“Listen to what the Lord says, you rulers of Sodom, and pay attention to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

“How do your voluminous sacrifices benefit me?” the Lord is asking. “I’ve had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts. I don’t enjoy the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats.

“When you come to present yourselves in my presence, who has required you to trample on my courts?

Stop bringing useless offerings! Incense is detestable to me, as are your New Moons, Sabbaths, and calling of convocations. I cannot stand iniquity within a solemn assembly.

As for your New Moons and your appointed festivals, I abhor them. They’ve become a burden to me; I’ve grown weary of carrying that burden.

When you spread out your hands in prayer, I’ll hide my eyes from you. Even though you pray repeatedly, I won’t listen. Your hands are full of blood, your fingers drenched with iniquity.”

“Wash yourselves, and make yourselves clean; remove your evil behavior from my presence; stop practicing what is evil.

Learn to practice what is good; seek justice, alleviate oppression, defend orphans in court, and plead the widow’s case.

“Please come, and let’s reason together,” implores the Lord. “Even though your sins are like scarlet, they’ll be white like snow. Though they’re like crimson, they’ll become like wool.

If you’re willing and obedient, you’ll eat the best that the land produces;

but if you refuse and rebel, you’ll be devoured by the sword, because the Lord has spoken.”

“How the faithful city has become a whore, she who used to be filled with justice! Righteousness used to reside within her, but now only murderers live there.

Your silver has become dross, your best wine is diluted with water.

Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. All of them are lovers of bribes and are runners after gifts. They don’t bring justice to orphans, and the widow’s case never comes up for review in their court.”

Therefore this is what the Lord God of the Heavenly Armies, the one who is Israel’s Mighty One, declares: “Now I’ll get relief from his enemies and avenge myself on his foes.

When I turn my attention to you, I’ll refine your dross as in a furnace. I’ll remove all your alloy.

Let me restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you’ll be called ‘The Righteous City’ and ‘The Faithful City of Zion’.

“Zion will be redeemed by justice, and her repentant ones by righteousness.

Rebels and sinners will be broken together, and those who forsake the Lord will be consumed.

They’ll be ashamed of the oak trees that you desired; and you’ll blush because of the gardens that you have chosen.

You’ll be like an oak whose leaf is withering, like an unwatered garden.

Your strong one will be like tinder, and your work a spark; both of them will burn together, with no one to quench the flames that burn them.”

¶ The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

¶ Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD speaks, I have nourished and brought up sons, and they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not have understanding.

O sinful nation, people laden with iniquity, generation of evildoers, corrupt sons! They have forsaken the LORD; they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger; they have turned back.

Why should I chastise you any more? Ye will revolt more and more; every head is sick, and every heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in him; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

Your country is desolate; your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

Except the LORD of the hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

¶ Hear the word of the LORD, ye princes of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? shall the LORD say. I am full of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; and I do not delight in the blood of bullocks or of lambs or of he goats.

When ye come to appear before me, who has required this at your hand, to tread my courts?

Bring no more vain oblations; the incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot stand them; iniquity and the solemn meeting.

Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; likewise, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear; your hands are full of blood.

¶ Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil;

learn to do good; seek judgment; restore unto the oppressed; hear the fatherless in right judgment; protect the widow.

Then come, shall the LORD say, and we shall be even; if your sins were as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow; if they were red like crimson, they shall become as wool.

If ye are willing and hearken, ye shall eat the good of the land;

But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken it.

¶ How is the faithful city become a harlot! It was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it, but now murderers.

Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:

Thy princes are rebellious and companions of thieves; every one loves bribes and follows after rewards; they do not hear the fatherless in judgment, neither does the cause of the widow come unto them.

Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of the hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease myself of my adversaries and avenge myself of my enemies;

and I will turn my hand upon thee and according to pureness purge away thy dross and take away all thy tin;

and I will restore thy judges as at the first and thy counsellors as at the beginning; afterward thou shalt be called The city of righteousness, the faithful city.

Zion shall be ransomed with judgment and her converts with righteousness.

And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and those that forsook the LORD shall be consumed.

For ye shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the groves that ye have chosen.

For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf falls and as a garden that has no water.

And the strong idol shall be as tow and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and no one shall be able to quench them.

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:

Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

Therefore saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:

And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:

And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.

Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.

And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.

For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.

And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:

thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

Therefore saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:

and I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:

and I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.

Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.

And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.

For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.

And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he beheld in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; For Yahweh speaks, “Sons I have reared and raised up, But they have transgressed against Me.

An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, But Israel does not know; My people do not perceive.”

Alas, sinful nation, People heavy with iniquity, Seed of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have forsaken Yahweh; They have spurned the Holy One of Israel; They have become estranged from Him.

Where will you be stricken again, As you continue in your rebellion? The whole head is sick, And the whole heart is faint.

From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing sound in it, Only bruises, wounds, and raw wounds, Not pressed out, not bandaged, Not softened with oil.

Your land is desolate; Your cities are burned with fire; Your fields—strangers are devouring them in your presence; It is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, Like a watchman’s hut in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

Unless Yahweh of hosts Had left us a few survivors, We would be like Sodom, We would be like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of Yahweh, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the law of our God, You people of Gomorrah.

“What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” Says Yahweh. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats I take no pleasure.

When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?

Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of convocation— I cannot endure wickedness and the solemn assembly.

My soul hates your new moon festivals and your appointed times, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.

So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Indeed, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood.

“Wash yourselves, purify yourselves; Remove the evil of your deeds from before My eyes. Cease to do evil,

Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Execute justice for the orphan, Plead for the widow.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says Yahweh, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.

If you are willing and obey, You will eat the best of the land;

But if you refuse and rebel, You will be eaten by the sword.” For the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.

How the faithful city has become a harlot, She who was full of justice! Righteousness once lodged in her, But now murderers.

Your silver has become dross, Your drink diluted with water.

Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe And pursues rewards. They do not execute justice for the orphan, Nor does the widow’s plea come before them.

Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of hosts, The Mighty One of Israel, declares, “Ah, I will be comforted concerning My adversaries, And I will avenge Myself on My enemies.

I will also turn My hand against you, And will smelt away your dross as with lye And will remove all your alloy.

Then I will have your judges return as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning; Afterwards you will be called the city of righteousness, A faithful town.”

Zion will be redeemed with justice And her repentant ones with righteousness.

But transgressors and sinners will be broken together, And those who forsake Yahweh will come to an end.

For you will be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, And you will be humiliated because of the gardens which you have chosen.

For you will be like an oak whose leaf withers away Or as a garden that has no water.

And the strong man will become tinder, His work also a spark. Thus they shall both burn together, And there will be none to quench them.

The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, heavens, and listen, earth, for Yahweh has spoken: “I reared children and I brought them up, but they rebelled against me.

An ox knows its owner and a donkey the manger of its master. Israel does not know; my people do not understand.

Ah, sinful nation, a people heavy with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly. They have forsaken Yahweh; they have despised the holy one of Israel. They are estranged and gone backward.

Why do you want to be beaten again? You continue in rebellion. The whole of the head is sick, and the whole of the heart is faint.

From the sole of the foot and up to the head there is no health in it; bruise and sore and bleeding wound have not been cleansed, and they have not been bound up and not softened with the oil.

Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire; As for your land, aliens are devouring it in your presence, and it is desolate, like devastation by foreigners.

And the daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a shelter in a cucumber field, like a city that is besieged.

If Yahweh of hosts had not left us survivors, we would have been as few as Sodom, we would have become like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of Yahweh, rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, people of Gomorrah!

What is the abundance of your sacrifices to me? says Yahweh. I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened animals and I do not delight in the blood of bulls and ram-lambs and goats.

When you come to appear before me, who asked for this from your hand: you trampling my courts?

You must not continue to bring offerings of futility, incense—it is an abomination to me; new moon and Sabbath, the calling of a convocation— I cannot endure iniquity with solemn assembly.

Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become to me like a burden, I am not able to bear them.

And when you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not be listening. Your hands are full of blood.

Wash! Make yourselves clean! Remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes! Cease to do evil!

Learn to do good! Seek justice! Rescue the oppressed! Defend the orphan! Plead for the widow!

“Come now, and let us argue,” says Yahweh. “Even though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white like snow; even though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

If you are willing and you are obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.

But if you refuse and you rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.”

How has a faithful city become like a whore? Full of justice, righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.

Your silver has become as dross; Your wine is diluted with waters.

Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Every one loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not defend the orphan and the legal dispute of the widow does not come before them.

Therefore, the declaration of the Lord Yahweh of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: “Ah, I will be relieved of my enemies, and I will avenge myself on my foes.

And I will turn my hand against you; I will purify your dross like lye, and I will remove all of your tin.

And I will restore your judges, as at the first, and your counselors, as at the beginning. After this you will be called the city of righteousness, faithful city.

Zion will be redeemed by justice, and those of her who repent, by righteousness.

But the destruction of rebels and sinners shall be together, and those who forsake Yahweh will perish.

For you will be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted, and you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen.

For you shall be like an oak withering its leaves, and like a garden where there is no water for her.

And the strong man shall become like tinder, and his work like a spark. And both of them shall burn together, and there is not one to quench them.”

Listen, O heaven and earth, to what the Lord is saying: The children I raised and cared for so long and tenderly have turned against me.

Even the animals—the donkey and the ox—know their owner and appreciate his care for them, but not my people Israel. No matter what I do for them, they still don’t care.

Oh, what a sinful nation they are! They walk bent-backed beneath their load of guilt. Their fathers before them were evil too. Born to be bad, they have turned their backs upon the Lord and have despised the Holy One of Israel. They have cut themselves off from his help.

Oh, my people, haven’t you had enough of punishment? Why will you force me to whip you again and again? Must you forever rebel? From head to foot you are sick and weak and faint, covered with bruises and welts and infected wounds, unanointed and unbound.

Your country lies in ruins; your cities are burned; while you watch, foreigners are destroying and plundering everything they see.

You stand there helpless and abandoned like a watchman’s shanty in the field when the harvesttime is over—or when the crop is stripped and robbed.

An apt comparison! Listen, you leaders of Israel, you men of Sodom and Gomorrah, as I call you now. Listen to the Lord. Hear what he is telling you!

I am sick of your sacrifices. Don’t bring me any more of them. I don’t want your fat rams; I don’t want to see the blood from your offerings.

Who wants your sacrifices when you have no sorrow for your sins? The incense you bring me is a stench in my nostrils. Your holy celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath, and your special days for fasting—even your most pious meetings—all are frauds! I want nothing more to do with them.

I hate them all; I can’t stand the sight of them.

From now on, when you pray with your hands stretched out to heaven, I won’t look or listen. Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear, for your hands are those of murderers; they are covered with the blood of your innocent victims.

Oh, wash yourselves! Be clean! Let me no longer see you doing all these wicked things; quit your evil ways.

Learn to do good, to be fair, and to help the poor, the fatherless, and widows.

Come, let’s talk this over, says the Lord; no matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you white as wool!

If you will only let me help you, if you will only obey, then I will make you rich!

But if you keep on turning your backs and refusing to listen to me, you will be killed by your enemies; I, the Lord, have spoken.

Jerusalem, once a faithful wife! And now a prostitute! Running after other gods! Once “The City of Fair Play,” but now a gang of murderers.

Once like sterling silver; now mixed with worthless alloy! Once so pure, but now diluted like watered-down wine!

Your leaders are rebels, companions of thieves; all of them take bribes and won’t defend the widows and orphans.

Therefore the Lord, the Mighty One of Israel, says: I will pour out my anger on you, my enemies!

I myself will melt you in a smelting pot and skim off your slag.

And afterwards I will give you good judges and wise counselors like those you used to have. Then your city shall again be called “The City of Justice” and “The Faithful Town.”

Those who return to the Lord, who are just and good, shall be redeemed.

(But all sinners shall utterly perish, for they refuse to come to me.)

Shame will cover you, and you will blush to think of all those times you sacrificed to idols in your groves of “sacred” oaks.

You will perish like a withered tree or a garden without water.

The strongest among you will disappear like burning straw; your evil deeds are the spark that sets the straw on fire, and no one will be able to put it out.

The vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw regarding Judah and Jerusalem during the times of the kings of Judah: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.

Heaven and earth, you’re the jury. Listen to God’s case: “I had children and raised them well, and they turned on me. The ox knows who’s boss, the mule knows the hand that feeds him, But not Israel. My people don’t know up from down. Shame! Misguided God-dropouts, staggering under their guilt-baggage, Villainous gang, band of vandals— My people have walked out on me, their God, turned their backs on The Holy of Israel, walked off and never looked back.

“Why bother even trying to do anything with you when you just keep to your bullheaded ways? You keep beating your heads against brick walls. Everything within you protests against you. From the bottom of your feet to the top of your head, nothing’s working right. Wounds and bruises and running sores— untended, unwashed, unbandaged. Your country is laid waste, your cities burned down. Your land is destroyed by outsiders while you watch, reduced to rubble by barbarians. Daughter Zion is deserted— like a tumbledown shack on a dead-end street, Like a tarpaper shanty on the wrong side of the tracks, like a sinking ship abandoned by the rats. If God-of-the-Angel-Armies hadn’t left us a few survivors, we’d be as desolate as Sodom, doomed just like Gomorrah.

“Listen to my Message, you Sodom-schooled leaders. Receive God’s revelation, you Gomorrah-schooled people.

“Why this frenzy of sacrifices?” God’s asking. “Don’t you think I’ve had my fill of burnt sacrifices, rams and plump grain-fed calves? Don’t you think I’ve had my fill of blood from bulls, lambs, and goats? When you come before me, whoever gave you the idea of acting like this, Running here and there, doing this and that— all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?

“Quit your worship charades. I can’t stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings— meetings, meetings, meetings—I can’t stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You’ve worn me out! I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I’ll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I’ll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don’t have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.

“Come. Sit down. Let’s argue this out.” This is God’s Message: “If your sins are blood-red, they’ll be snow-white. If they’re red like crimson, they’ll be like wool. If you’ll willingly obey, you’ll feast like kings. But if you’re willful and stubborn, you’ll die like dogs.” That’s right. God says so.

Oh! Can you believe it? The chaste city has become a whore! She was once all justice, everyone living as good neighbors, And now they’re all at one another’s throats. Your coins are all counterfeits. Your wine is watered down. Your leaders are turncoats who keep company with crooks. They sell themselves to the highest bidder and grab anything not nailed down. They never stand up for the homeless, never stick up for the defenseless.

This Decree, therefore, of the Master, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the Strong One of Israel: “This is it! I’ll get my oppressors off my back. I’ll get back at my enemies. I’ll give you the back of my hand, purge the junk from your life, clean you up. I’ll set honest judges and wise counselors among you just like it was back in the beginning. Then you’ll be renamed City-That-Treats-People-Right, the True-Blue City.” God’s right ways will put Zion right again. God’s right actions will restore her prodigals. But it’s curtains for rebels and God-traitors, a dead end for those who walk out on God. “Your dalliances in those oak grove shrines will leave you looking mighty foolish, All that fooling around in god and goddess gardens that you thought was the latest thing. You’ll end up like an oak tree with all its leaves falling off, Like an unwatered garden, withered and brown. ‘The Strong Man’ will turn out to be dead bark and twigs, and his ‘work,’ the spark that starts the fire That exposes man and work both as nothing but cinders and smoke.”

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth. For the Lord has spoken: I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me;

the ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master’s crib, but Israel does not know; My people do not consider.

Alas, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger, they are estranged and backward.

Why should you be beaten again, that you revolt more and more? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness in it. Wounds, bruises, and open sores; they have not been closed, nor bandaged, nor soothed with oil.

Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire; strangers devour your land in your presence; and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a field of melons, like a besieged city.

Unless the Lord of Hosts had left to us a very small remnant, we would have been as Sodom; we would have been like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah:

For what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me? says the Lord. I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed animals. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of male goats.

When you come to appear before Me, who has required this at your hand, to trample My courts?

Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations— I cannot bear with evil assemblies.

My soul hates your New Moons and your appointed feasts; they are a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.

When you reach out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.

Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil from your deeds, from before My eyes. Cease to do evil,

learn to do good; seek justice, relieve the oppressed; judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.

How the faithful city has become a prostitute! She was full of justice; righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.

Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water.

Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves; everyone loves a bribe and follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, nor does the cause of the widow come before them.

Therefore the Lord, the Lord of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, says: Ah, I will get relief from My adversaries, and avenge Myself on My enemies.

And I will turn My hand against you, thoroughly purge away your dross, and take away all your impurities.

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, a faithful town.

Zion shall be redeemed with justice and her converts with righteousness.

But the destruction of the transgressors and sinners shall be together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, and you shall be humiliated for the gardens that you have chosen.

For you shall be as an oak whose leaf fades, and as a garden that has no water.

The strong shall be as tinder, and his work like a spark; they will both burn together, and no one will quench them.

This is the vision which Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw about Judah and Jerusalem at the time of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.

Listen, heaven, and pay attention, earth! Yahweh has spoken, “I raised my children and helped them grow, but they have rebelled against me.

Oxen know their owners, and donkeys know where their masters feed them. But Israel doesn’t know its owner. My people don’t understand who feeds them.

“How horrible it will be for a nation that sins. Its people are loaded down with guilt. They are descendants of evildoers and destructive children. They have abandoned Yahweh. They have despised Qedosh Yisrael. They have turned their backs on him.

“Why do you still want to be beaten? Why do you continue to rebel? Your whole head is infected. Your whole heart is failing.

From the bottom of your feet to the top of your head there is no healthy spot left on your body— only bruises, sores, and fresh wounds. They haven’t been cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil.

“Your country is devastated. Your cities are burned down. Your fields are destroyed right before your eyes by foreigners. Your fields are devastated and taken over by foreigners.

My people Zion are left like a hut in a vineyard, like a shack in a cucumber field, like a city under attack.”

If Yahweh Tsebaoth hadn’t left us a few survivors, we would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Listen to the word of Yahweh, you rulers of Sodom! Pay attention to the teachings from our Elohim, you people of Gomorrah!

Yahweh asks, “What do your many animal sacrifices mean to me? I’ve had enough of your burnt offerings of rams and enough fat from your fattened calves. I’m not pleased with the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats.

When you appear in my presence, who asked you to trample on my courtyards?

Don’t bring any more worthless grain offerings. Your incense is disgusting to me, so are your New Moon Festivals, your days of worship, and the assemblies you call. I can’t stand your evil assemblies.

I hate your New Moon Festivals and your appointed festivals. They’ve become a burden to me, and I’m tired of putting up with them.

So when you stretch out your hands in prayer, I will turn my eyes away from you. Even though you offer many prayers, I will not listen because your hands are covered with blood.

“Wash yourselves! Become clean! Get your evil deeds out of my sight. Stop doing evil.

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Arrest oppressors. Defend orphans. Plead the case of widows.”

“Come on now, let’s discuss this!” says Yahweh. “Though your sins are bright red, they will become as white as snow. Though they are dark red, they will become as white as wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land.

But if you refuse and rebel, you will be destroyed by swords.” Yahweh has spoken.

How the faithful town has become a prostitute! She was full of justice, and righteousness lived in her. But now murderers live there!

Your silver is not pure. Your wine is watered down.

Your rulers are rebels, friends with thieves. They all love bribes and run after gifts. They never defend orphans. They don’t notice the widows’ pleas.

That’s why Adonay, Yahweh Tsebaoth, the Mighty One of Israel, says, “How horrible it will be when I take revenge on my opponents! I will avenge myself against my enemies.

I will turn my power against you. I will remove your impurities with bleach. I will get rid of all your impurities.

I will give you judges like you had long ago, advisers like you had in the beginning. After that you will be called the Righteous City, the Faithful Town.”

Zion will be pardoned by the Lord’s justice, and those who return will be pardoned by the Lord’s righteousness.

Rebels and sinners will be crushed at the same time, and those who abandon Yahweh will come to an end.

You will be ashamed of the oaks that you wanted to worship and embarrassed by the garden that you have chosen for your gods.

You will be like an oak whose leaves wither and like a garden without water.

Strong people will become tinder for a fire, and their work will be the spark. Both of them will burn together, and there will be no one to put out the fire.

The vision which Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth, for the Lord speaks: Sons have I raised and reared, but they have rebelled against me!

An ox knows its owner, and an ass, its master’s manger; But Israel does not know, my people has not understood.

Ah! Sinful nation, people laden with wickedness, evil offspring, corrupt children! They have forsaken the Lord, spurned the Holy One of Israel, apostatized,

Why would you yet be struck, that you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot to the head there is no sound spot in it; Just bruise and welt and oozing wound, not drained, or bandaged, or eased with salve.

Your country is waste, your cities burnt with fire; Your land—before your eyes strangers devour it, a waste, like the devastation of Sodom.

And daughter Zion is left like a hut in a vineyard, Like a shed in a melon patch, like a city blockaded.

If the Lord of hosts had not left us a small remnant, We would have become as Sodom, would have resembled Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah!

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.

When you come to appear before me, who asks these things of you?

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.

Your new moons and festivals I detest; they weigh me down, I tire of the load.

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!

Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil;

learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.

Come now, let us set things right, 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.

If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land;

But if you refuse and resist, you shall be eaten by the sword: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken!

How she has become a prostitute, the faithful city, so upright! Justice used to lodge within her, but now, murderers.

Your silver is turned to dross, your wine is mixed with water.

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.

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 will turn my hand against you, and refine your dross in the furnace, removing all your alloy.

I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as in the beginning; After that you shall be called city of justice, faithful city.

Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and her repentant ones by righteousness.

Rebels and sinners together shall be crushed, those who desert the Lord shall be consumed.

You shall be ashamed of the terebinths which you desired, and blush on account of the gardens which you chose.

You shall become like a terebinth whose leaves wither, like a garden that has no water.

The strong tree shall turn to tinder, and the one who tends it shall become a spark; Both of them shall burn together, and there shall be none to quench them.

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Listen, heavens, and hear, earth; For the Lord has spoken: “Sons I have raised and brought up, But they have revolted against Me.

An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, But Israel does not know, My people do not understand.”

Oh, sinful nation, People weighed down with guilt, Offspring of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have abandoned the Lord, They have despised the Holy One of Israel, They have turned away from Him.

Where will you be stricken again, As you continue in your rebellion? The entire head is sick And the entire heart is faint.

From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing healthy in it, Only bruises, slashes, and raw wounds; Not pressed out nor bandaged, Nor softened with oil.

Your land is desolate, Your cities are burned with fire; As for your fields, strangers are devouring them in front of you; It is desolation, as overthrown by strangers.

The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, Like a watchman’s hut in a cucumber field, like a city under watch.

If the Lord of armies Had not left us a few survivors, We would be like Sodom, We would be like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Listen to the instruction of our God, You people of Gomorrah!

“What are your many sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I 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.

When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courtyards?

Do not go on bringing your worthless offerings, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and Sabbath, the proclamation of an assembly— I cannot endure wrongdoing and the festive assembly.

I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am tired of bearing them.

So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you offer many prayers, I will not be listening. Your hands are covered with blood.

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil,

Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor, Obtain justice for the orphan, Plead for the widow’s case.

“Come now, and let us debate your case,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They shall become as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, You will eat the best of the land;

But if you refuse and rebel, You will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

How the faithful city has become a prostitute, She who was full of justice! Righteousness once dwelt in her, But now murderers.

Your silver has become waste matter, Your drink diluted with water.

Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe And chases after gifts. They do not obtain justice for the orphan, Nor does the widow’s case come before them.

Therefore the Lord God of armies, The Mighty One of Israel, declares, “Ah, I will have satisfaction against My adversaries, And avenge Myself on My enemies.

I will also turn My hand against you, And smelt away your impurities as with lye; And I will remove all your slag.

Then I will restore your judges as at first, And your counselors as at the beginning; After that you will be called the city of righteousness, A faithful city.”

Zion will be redeemed with justice And her repentant ones with righteousness.

But wrongdoers and sinners together will be broken, And those who abandon the Lord will come to an end.

You certainly will be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, And you will be embarrassed by the gardens which you have chosen.

For you will be like an oak whose leaf withers away, Or like a garden that has no water.

The strong man will become like flax fiber, And his work a spark. So they shall both burn together And there will be no one to extinguish them.

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; For the Lord speaks, “Sons I have reared and brought up, But they have revolted against Me.

“An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, But Israel does not know, My people do not understand.”

Alas, sinful nation, People weighed down with iniquity, Offspring of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have abandoned the Lord, They have despised the Holy One of Israel, They have turned away from Him.

Where will you be stricken again, As you continue in your rebellion? The whole head is sick And the whole heart is faint.

From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing sound in it, Only bruises, welts and raw wounds, Not pressed out or bandaged, Nor softened with oil.

Your land is desolate, Your cities are burned with fire, Your fields—strangers are devouring them in your presence; It is desolation, as overthrown by strangers.

The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, Like a watchman’s hut in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

Unless the Lord of hosts Had left us a few survivors, We would be like Sodom, We would be like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the instruction of our God, You people of Gomorrah.

“What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.

“When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?

“Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.

“I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.

“So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil,

Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.

“If you consent and obey, You will eat the best of the land;

“But if you refuse and rebel, You will be devoured by the sword.” Truly, the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

How the faithful city has become a harlot, She who was full of justice! Righteousness once lodged in her, But now murderers.

Your silver has become dross, Your drink diluted with water.

Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe And chases after rewards. They do not defend the orphan, Nor does the widow’s plea come before them.

Therefore the Lord God of hosts, The Mighty One of Israel, declares, “Ah, I will be relieved of My adversaries And avenge Myself on My foes.

“I will also turn My hand against you, And will smelt away your dross as with lye And will remove all your alloy.

“Then I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning; After that you will be called the city of righteousness, A faithful city.”

Zion will be redeemed with justice And her repentant ones with righteousness.

But transgressors and sinners will be crushed together, And those who forsake the Lord will come to an end.

Surely you will be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, And you will be embarrassed at the gardens which you have chosen.

For you will be like an oak whose leaf fades away Or as a garden that has no water.

The strong man will become tinder, His work also a spark. Thus they shall both burn together And there will be none to quench them.

The vision of Isaiah, the son of Amoz, concerning Judah and Jerusalem which he received during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Listen, O heavens, and pay close attention, O earth, for the Lord is speaking. I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.

An ox knows its owner and the donkey its master’s stall, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.

You are a sinful nation, a people weighed down with iniquity, a race of evildoers whose children are corrupt; you have forsaken the Lord, despised the Holy One of Israel, and turned your backs on him.

Why do you continue to seek further beatings? Why do you persist in your rebellion? Your entire head is sick and your whole heart is faint.

From the sole of your foot to your head there is not a single healthy area nothing but bruises and welts and open sores that have not been drained or bandaged or soothed with ointment.

Your country is a desolate waste, and fire has destroyed your cities. Before your very eyes foreigners have devoured your land and left it as desolate as Sodom after it had been overthrown.

Daughter Zion is left like a shack in a vineyard, like a shed in a field of cucumbers, like a besieged city.

If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we would have become like Sodom and been like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom. Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah.

What do I care about your unceasing sacrifices? says the Lord. I am weary of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed animals. I derive no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.

When you come into my presence, who has asked you to present such offerings? Never again trample my courts!

To bring me offerings is futile; I regard your incense as loathsome. New moons and Sabbaths and sacred assemblies— I cannot tolerate your iniquity that accompanies them.

I loathe your new moons and your festivals; they have become a burden to me and I can no longer endure bearing them.

When you stretch out your hands, I will turn away my eyes from you. Even if you pray endlessly, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with blood.

Wash yourselves and become clean; remove your evil deeds far from my sight. Cease to do evil

and learn to do good. Pursue justice and rescue the oppressed; listen to the plea of the orphan and defend the widow.

Come now and let us discuss this, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow. Though they are as red as crimson, they shall become as white as wool.

If you are willing to obey, you will eat the best food that the land has to offer.

However, if you refuse and rebel, the sword will devour you, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

How the faithful city has become an adulteress, she who used to be a symbol of justice. Righteousness used to dwell in her, but now she is the abode of murderers.

Your silver has turned to dross, and your wine is mixed with water.

Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. All of them love bribes and are eager to receive gifts. They do not treat the orphan with justice, and they refuse to listen to the pleas of widows.

Therefore, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, says this: I am determined to vent my anger upon my enemies and wreak vengeance on my foes.

I will turn my hand against you and refine your dross in the furnace, purging all of your impurities.

And I will restore your judges as in the days of old and your counselors as at the beginning. Then you will be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.

Zion will be redeemed by judgment and those who are repentant by righteousness.

But rebels and sinners alike will be destroyed, and those who forsake the Lord will perish.

You will be ashamed of the sacred oaks which offered you such delight, and you will blush when you behold the gardens which you chose in their stead.

You will be like a tree whose leaves are withered, like a garden without water.

The strong man will become like straw and his work like a spark. Both will burn together, and no one will be able to quench the flames.

This is the vision Isaiah son of Amoz saw about what would happen to Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah saw these things while Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah.

Heaven and earth, listen, because the Lord is speaking: “I raised my children and helped them grow up, but they have turned against me.

An ox knows its master, and a donkey knows where its owner feeds it, but the people of Israel do not know me; my people do not understand.”

How terrible! Israel is a nation of sin, a people loaded down with guilt, a group of children doing evil, children who are full of evil. They have left the Lord; they hate God, the Holy One of Israel, and have turned away from him as if he were a stranger.

Why should you continue to be punished? Why do you continue to turn against him? Your whole head is hurt, and your whole heart is sick.

There is no healthy spot from the bottom of your foot to the top of your head; you are covered with wounds, hurts, and open sores that are not cleaned and covered, and no medicine takes away the pain.

Your land is ruined; your cities have been burned with fire. While you watch, your enemies are stealing everything from your land; it is ruined like a country destroyed by enemies.

Jerusalem is left alone like an empty shelter in a vineyard, like a hut left in a field of melons, like a city surrounded by enemies.

The Lord All-Powerful allowed a few of our people to live. Otherwise we would have been completely destroyed like the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Jerusalem, your rulers are like those of Sodom, and your people are like those of Gomorrah. Hear the word of the Lord; listen to the teaching of our God!

The Lord says, “I do not want all these sacrifices. I have had enough of your burnt sacrifices of male sheep and fat from fine animals. I am not pleased by the blood of bulls, lambs, and goats.

You come to meet with me, but who asked you to do all this running in and out of my Temple’s rooms?

Don’t continue bringing me worthless sacrifices! I hate the incense you burn. I can’t stand your New Moons, Sabbaths, and other feast days; I can’t stand the evil you do in your holy meetings.

I hate your New Moon feasts and your other yearly feasts. They have become a heavy weight on me, and I am tired of carrying it.

When you raise your arms to me in prayer, I will refuse to look at you. Even if you say many prayers, I will not listen to you, because your hands are full of blood.

Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean. Stop doing the evil things I see you do. Stop doing wrong.

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Punish those who hurt others. Help the orphans. Stand up for the rights of widows.”

The Lord says, “Come, let us talk about these things. Though your sins are like scarlet, they can be as white as snow. Though your sins are deep red, they can be white like wool.

If you become willing and obey me, you will eat good crops from the land.

But if you refuse to obey and if you turn against me, you will be destroyed by your enemies’ swords.” The Lord himself said these things.

The city of Jerusalem once followed the Lord, but she is no longer loyal to him. She used to be filled with fairness; people there lived the way God wanted. But now, murderers live there.

Jerusalem, you have become like the scum left when silver is purified; you are like wine mixed with water.

Your rulers are rebels and friends of thieves. They all accept money for doing wrong, and they are paid to cheat people. They don’t seek justice for the orphans or listen to the widows’ needs.

So the Lord God All-Powerful, the Mighty One of Israel, says: “You, my enemies, will not cause me any more trouble. I will pay you back for what you did.

I will turn against you and clean away all your wrongs as if with soap; I will take all the worthless things out of you.

I will bring back judges as you had long ago; your counselors will be like those you had in the beginning. Then you will be called the City That Is Right with God, the Loyal City.”

By doing what is fair, Jerusalem will be free again. By doing what is right, her people who come back to the Lord will have freedom.

But sinners and those who turn against him will be destroyed; those who have left the Lord will die.

“You will be ashamed, because you have worshiped gods under the oak trees. You will be disgraced, because you have worshiped idols in your gardens.

You will be like an oak whose leaves are dying or like a garden without water.

Powerful people will be like small, dry pieces of wood, and their works will be like sparks. They will burn together, and no one will be able to put out that fire.”

Here is the message about Judah and Jerusalem that was revealed to Isaiah son of Amoz during the time when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah reigned over Judah.

Listen, O heavens, pay attention, O earth! For the Lord speaks: “I raised children, I brought them up, but they have rebelled against me!

An ox recognizes its owner, a donkey recognizes where its owner puts its food; but Israel does not recognize me, my people do not understand.”

Beware sinful nation, the people weighed down by evil deeds. They are offspring who do wrong, children who do wicked things. They have abandoned the Lord, and rejected the Holy One of Israel. They are alienated from him.

Why do you insist on being battered? Why do you continue to rebel? Your head has a massive wound, your whole heart is sick.

From the soles of your feet to your head, there is no spot that is unharmed. There are only bruises, cuts, and open wounds. They have not been cleansed or bandaged, nor have they been treated with olive oil.

Your land is devastated, your cities burned with fire. Right before your eyes your crops are being destroyed by foreign invaders. They leave behind devastation and destruction.

Daughter Zion is left isolated, like a hut in a vineyard, or a shelter in a cucumber field; she is a besieged city.

If the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had not left us a few survivors, we would have quickly been like Sodom, we would have become like Gomorrah.

Listen to the Lord’s message, you leaders of Sodom! Pay attention to our God’s rebuke, people of Gomorrah!

“Of what importance to me are your many sacrifices?” says the Lord. “I have had my fill of burnt sacrifices, of rams and the fat from steers. The blood of bulls, lambs, and goats I do not want.

When you enter my presence, do you actually think I want this— animals trampling on my courtyards?

Do not bring any more meaningless offerings; I consider your incense detestable! You observe new moon festivals, Sabbaths, and convocations, but I cannot tolerate sin-stained celebrations!

I hate your new moon festivals and assemblies; they are a burden that I am tired of carrying.

When you spread out your hands in prayer, I look the other way; when you offer your many prayers, I do not listen, because your hands are covered with blood.

Wash! Cleanse yourselves! Remove your sinful deeds from my sight. Stop sinning.

Learn to do what is right. Promote justice. Give the oppressed reason to celebrate. Take up the cause of the orphan. Defend the rights of the widow.

Come, let’s consider your options,” says the Lord. “Though your sins have stained you like the color red, you can become white like snow; though they are as easy to see as the color scarlet, you can become white like wool.

If you have a willing attitude and obey, then you will again eat the good crops of the land.

But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” Know for certain that the Lord has spoken.

How tragic that the once-faithful city has become a prostitute! She was once a center of justice; fairness resided in her— but now only murderers!

Your silver has become scum, your beer is diluted with water.

Your officials are rebels, they associate with thieves. All of them love bribery, and look for payoffs. They do not take up the cause of the orphan, or defend the rights of the widow.

Therefore, the Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the Powerful One of Israel, says this: “Ah, I will seek vengeance against my adversaries, I will take revenge against my enemies.

I will attack you; I will purify your metal with flux. I will remove all your slag.

I will reestablish honest judges as in former times, wise advisers as in earlier days. Then you will be called, ‘The Just City, Faithful Town.’”

Zion will be freed by justice, and her returnees by righteousness.

All rebellious sinners will be shattered, those who abandon the Lord will perish.

Indeed, they will be ashamed of the sacred trees you find so desirable; you will be embarrassed because of the sacred orchards where you choose to worship.

For you will be like a tree whose leaves wither, like an orchard that is unwatered.

The powerful will be like a thread of yarn, their deeds like a spark; both will burn together, and no one will put out the fire.

Here is the vision about Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah saw. It came to him when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah were ruling. They were kings of Judah. Isaiah was the son of Amoz.

Listen to me, you heavens! Pay attention to me, earth! The Lord has said, “I raised children. I brought them up. But they have refused to obey me.

The ox knows its master. The donkey knows where its owner feeds it. But Israel does not know me. My people do not understand me.”

How terrible it will be for this sinful nation! They are loaded down with guilt. They are people who do nothing but evil. They are children who are always sinning. They have deserted the Lord. They have turned against the Holy One of Israel. They have turned their backs on him.

Israel, why do you want to be beaten all the time? Why do you always refuse to obey the Lord? Your head is covered with wounds. Your whole heart is weak.

There isn’t a healthy spot on your body. You are not healthy from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head. You have nothing but wounds, cuts and open sores. They haven’t been cleaned up or bandaged or treated with olive oil.

Your country has been deserted. Your cities have been burned down. The food from your fields is being eaten up by outsiders. They are doing it right in front of you. Your land has been completely destroyed. It looks as if strangers have taken it over.

The city of Zion is left like a shed where someone stands guard in a vineyard. It is left like a hut in a cucumber field. It’s like a city being attacked.

The Lord who rules over all has let some people live through that time of trouble. If he hadn’t, we would have become like Sodom. We would have been like Gomorrah.

Rulers of Sodom, hear the Lord’s message. People of Gomorrah, listen to the instruction of our God.

“Do you think I need any more of your sacrifices?” asks the Lord. “I have more than enough of your burnt offerings. I have more than enough of rams and the fat of your fattest animals. I do not find any pleasure in the blood of your bulls, lambs and goats.

Who asked you to bring all these animals when you come to worship me? Who asked you and your animals to walk all over my courtyards?

Stop bringing offerings that do not mean anything to me! I hate your incense. I can’t stand your worthless gatherings. I can’t stand the way you celebrate your New Moon feasts, Sabbath days and special services.

Your New Moon feasts and your other appointed feasts I hate with my whole being. They have become a heavy load to me. I am tired of carrying it.

You might spread out your hands toward me when you pray. But I do not look at you. You might even offer many prayers. But I am not listening to them. Your hands are covered with the blood of the people you have murdered.

So wash and make yourselves clean. Get your evil actions out of my sight! Stop doing what is wrong!

Learn to do what is right! Treat people fairly. Help those who are treated badly. Stand up in court for children whose fathers have died. And do the same thing for widows.

“Come. Let us settle this matter,” says the Lord. “Even though your sins are bright red, they will be as white as snow. Even though they are deep red, they will be white like wool.

But you have to be willing to change and obey me. If you are, you will eat the good things that grow on the land.

But if you are not willing to obey me, you will be killed by swords.” The Lord has spoken.

See how the faithful city of Jerusalem has become like a prostitute! Once it was full of people who treated others fairly. Those who did what was right used to live in it. But now murderers live there!

Jerusalem, your silver isn’t pure anymore. Your best wine has been made weak with water.

Your rulers refuse to obey the Lord. They join forces with robbers. All of them love to accept money from those who want special favors. They are always looking for gifts from other people. They don’t stand up in court for children whose fathers have died. They don’t do it for widows either.

The Lord is the Mighty One of Israel. The Lord who rules over all announces, “Israel, you have become my enemies. I will act against you in my anger. I will pay you back for what you have done.

I will turn my power against you. I will make you completely ‘clean.’ I will remove everything that is not pure.

I will give you leaders like the ones you had long ago. I will give you rulers like those you had at the beginning. Then you will be called the City That Does What Is Right. You will also be called the Faithful City.”

Zion will be saved when justice is done. Those who are sorry for their sins will be saved when what is right is done.

But sinners and those who refuse to obey the Lord will be destroyed. And those who desert the Lord will die.

“Israel, you take delight in worshiping among the sacred oak trees. You will be full of shame for doing that. You have chosen to worship in the sacred gardens. You will be dishonored for doing that.

You will be like an oak tree whose leaves are dying. You will be like a garden that doesn’t have any water.

Your strongest men will become like dry pieces of wood. Their worship of other gods will be the spark that lights the fire. Everything will be burned up. No one will be there to put the fire out.”

The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”

Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.

Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted.

From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness— only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with olive oil.

Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.

Daughter Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like a city under siege.

Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

“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; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.

When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts?

Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.

Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.

When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood!

Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;

but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her— but now murderers!

Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water.

Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.

Therefore the Lord, the Lord Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies.

I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.

I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.”

Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness.

But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the Lord will perish.

“You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen.

You will be like an oak with fading leaves, like a garden without water.

The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire.”

The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the Lord has spoken: ‘I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.’

Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.

Why should you be beaten any more? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted.

From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness – only wounds and bruises and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with oil.

Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.

Daughter Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like a city under siege.

Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

‘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; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.

When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts?

Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations – I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.

Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.

When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood!

Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;

but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her – but now murderers!

Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water.

Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.

Therefore the Lord, the Lord Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: ‘Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies.

I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.

I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterwards you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.’

Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness.

But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the Lord will perish.

‘You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen.

You will be like an oak with fading leaves, like a garden without water.

The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire.’

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me;

The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider.”

Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the Lord, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward.

Why should you be stricken again? You will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick, And the whole heart faints.

From the sole of the foot even to the head, There is no soundness in it, But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores; They have not been closed or bound up, Or soothed with ointment.

Your country is desolate, Your cities are burned with fire; Strangers devour your land in your presence; And it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

So the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard, As a hut in a garden of cucumbers, As a besieged city.

Unless the Lord of hosts Had left to us a very small remnant, We would have become like Sodom, We would have been made like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the law of our God, You people of Gomorrah:

“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats.

“When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts?

Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.

Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them.

When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil,

Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;

But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers.

Your silver has become dross, Your wine mixed with water.

Your princes are rebellious, And companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes, And follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.

Therefore the Lord says, The Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, “Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries, And take vengeance on My enemies.

I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purge away your dross, And take away all your alloy.

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.”

Zion shall be redeemed with justice, And her penitents with righteousness.

The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together, And those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For they shall be ashamed of the terebinth trees Which you have desired; And you shall be embarrassed because of the gardens Which you have chosen.

For you shall be as a terebinth whose leaf fades, And as a garden that has no water.

The strong shall be as tinder, And the work of it as a spark; Both will burn together, And no one shall quench them.

This is the special dream of Isaiah the son of Amoz, about Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the rule of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth, for the Lord has spoken: “I have brought up and have taken care of sons, but they have turned against Me.

An ox knows its owner. A donkey knows where to find the food its owner gives it. But Israel does not know. My people do not understand.”

O sinful nation, people weighed down with sin, children of those who do wrong, sons who act in a sinful way! They have left the Lord. They have hated the Holy One of Israel. They have turned away from Him.

Where will you be punished again, since you still fight against the Lord? Your whole head is sick, and your whole heart is weak.

From the bottom of the foot even to the head, there is no good part. There are only sores from beatings and open sores. They are not taken care of or covered or made soft with oil.

Your land lies waste. Your cities are burned with fire. Strangers are eating the food of your fields in front of you. It lies waste, as destroyed by strangers.

The people of Zion are left like a tent in a grape-field, like a watchman’s house in a vegetable field, like a city closed in by armies.

If the Lord of All had not left some people, we would have all been destroyed like those who lived in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Hear the Word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom. Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah.

“What are your many gifts given in worship to Me?” says the Lord. “I have had enough burnt gifts of rams and the fat of cattle. And I am not pleased with the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats.

When you come to show yourselves before Me, who says you must walk and walk around My open spaces?

Do not bring your gifts of no worth any more. Your special perfume is a hated thing to Me. The new moon and Day of Rest, this calling together of the people, I cannot put up with. I cannot put up with your sin and your meetings of worship.

I hate your new moons and your special suppers. They have become heavy upon Me. I am tired of carrying them.

So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you. Even if you pray many times, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood.

“Wash yourselves. Make yourselves clean. Take your sinful actions from My eyes. Stop doing sinful things.

Learn to do good. Look for what is right and fair. Speak strong words to those who make it hard for people. Stand up for the rights of those who have no parents. Help the woman whose husband has died.

“Come now, let us think about this together,” says the Lord. “Even though your sins are bright red, they will be as white as snow. Even though they are dark red, they will be like wool.

If you are willing and obey, you will eat the best of the land.

But if you are not willing and turn against Me, you will be destroyed by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

The faithful city has become like a woman who sells the use of her body. At one time she was full of what was right and fair! Those who are right and good lived in her, but now those who kill.

Your silver has lost its worth. Your wine is mixed with water.

Your rulers have turned against what is right. They are the friends of robbers. Every one loves to get pay in secret for wrong-doing, and they run after gifts. They do not stand for the rights of those who have no parents. And they never hear the cry for help of the woman whose husband has died.

So the Lord God of All, the Powerful One of Israel, says, “I will put an end to those who fight against Me. I will punish those who hate Me.

I will turn My hand against you and burn what is of no worth in you. And I will take away from you all that is not pure.

Then I will give you judges as at the first, and your wise men as at the beginning. After that you will be called the city that is right and good, a faithful city.”

Zion will be saved by being fair. Those who are sorry for their sins and turn from them will be saved by being right and good.

But wrong-doers and sinners will be crushed together. Those who turn away from the Lord will come to an end.

For you will be ashamed of the oaks where you worshiped. You will be ashamed of the gardens you have chosen.

For you will be like an oak tree whose leaf dries up, or like a garden that has no water.

The strong man will become easy to burn, and his work also a fire. They will burn together, and there will be no one to put the fire out.

These are the visions that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. He saw these visions during the years when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah.

Listen, O heavens! Pay attention, earth! This is what the Lord says: “The children I raised and cared for have rebelled against me.

Even an ox knows its owner, and a donkey recognizes its master’s care— but Israel doesn’t know its master. My people don’t recognize my care for them.”

Oh, what a sinful nation they are— loaded down with a burden of guilt. They are evil people, corrupt children who have rejected the Lord. They have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.

Why do you continue to invite punishment? Must you rebel forever? Your head is injured, and your heart is sick.

You are battered from head to foot— covered with bruises, welts, and infected wounds— without any soothing ointments or bandages.

Your country lies in ruins, and your towns are burned. Foreigners plunder your fields before your eyes and destroy everything they see.

Beautiful Jerusalem stands abandoned like a watchman’s shelter in a vineyard, like a lean-to in a cucumber field after the harvest, like a helpless city under siege.

If the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had not spared a few of us, we would have been wiped out like Sodom, destroyed like Gomorrah.

Listen to the Lord, you leaders of “Sodom.” Listen to the law of our God, people of “Gomorrah.”

“What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?” says the Lord. “I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.

When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony?

Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting— they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings.

I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them!

When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.

Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways.

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat.

But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

See how Jerusalem, once so faithful, has become a prostitute. Once the home of justice and righteousness, she is now filled with murderers.

Once like pure silver, you have become like worthless slag. Once so pure, you are now like watered-down wine.

Your leaders are rebels, the companions of thieves. All of them love bribes and demand payoffs, but they refuse to defend the cause of orphans or fight for the rights of widows.

Therefore, the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says, “I will take revenge on my enemies and pay back my foes!

I will raise my fist against you. I will melt you down and skim off your slag. I will remove all your impurities.

Then I will give you good judges again and wise counselors like you used to have. Then Jerusalem will again be called the Home of Justice and the Faithful City.”

Zion will be restored by justice; those who repent will be revived by righteousness.

But rebels and sinners will be completely destroyed, and those who desert the Lord will be consumed.

You will be ashamed of your idol worship in groves of sacred oaks. You will blush because you worshiped in gardens dedicated to idols.

You will be like a great tree with withered leaves, like a garden without water.

The strongest among you will disappear like straw; their evil deeds will be the spark that sets it on fire. They and their evil works will burn up together, and no one will be able to put out the fire.

The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.

Ah, sinful nation, people laden with iniquity, offspring who do evil, children who deal corruptly, who have forsaken the Lord, who have despised the Holy One of Israel, who are utterly estranged!

Why do you seek further beatings? Why do you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and bleeding wounds; they have not been drained, or bound up, or softened with oil.

Your country lies desolate, your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence aliens devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners.

And daughter Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a shelter in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we would have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

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.

When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more;

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.

Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them.

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.

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil,

learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.

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.

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

How the faithful city has become a whore! She that was full of justice, righteousness lodged in her— but now murderers!

Your silver has become dross, your wine is mixed with water.

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.

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!

I will turn my hand against you; I will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.

And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counsellors as at the beginning. Afterwards you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.

Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness.

But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For you shall be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen.

For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water.

The strong shall become like tinder, and their work like a spark; they and their work shall burn together, with no one to quench them.

The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.

Ah, sinful nation, people laden with iniquity, offspring who do evil, children who deal corruptly, who have forsaken the Lord, who have despised the Holy One of Israel, who are utterly estranged!

Why do you seek further beatings? Why do you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and bleeding wounds; they have not been drained, or bound up, or softened with oil.

Your country lies desolate, your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence aliens devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners.

And daughter Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a shelter in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we would have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

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.

When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more;

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.

Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them.

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.

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil,

learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.

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.

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

How the faithful city has become a whore! She that was full of justice, righteousness lodged in her— but now murderers!

Your silver has become dross, your wine is mixed with water.

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.

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!

I will turn my hand against you; I will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.

And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counsellors as at the beginning. Afterwards you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.

Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness.

But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For you shall be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen.

For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water.

The strong shall become like tinder, and their work like a spark; they and their work shall burn together, with no one to quench them.

The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.

Ah, sinful nation, people laden with iniquity, offspring who do evil, children who deal corruptly, who have forsaken the Lord, who have despised the Holy One of Israel, who are utterly estranged!

Why do you seek further beatings? Why do you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and bleeding wounds; they have not been drained, or bound up, or softened with oil.

Your country lies desolate, your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence aliens devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners.

And daughter Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a shelter in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we would have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

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.

When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more;

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.

Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them.

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.

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil,

learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.

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.

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

How the faithful city has become a whore! She that was full of justice, righteousness lodged in her— but now murderers!

Your silver has become dross, your wine is mixed with water.

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.

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!

I will turn my hand against you; I will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.

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.

Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness.

But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For you shall be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen.

For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water.

The strong shall become like tinder, and their work like a spark; they and their work shall burn together, with no one to quench them.

The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth, for the Lord has spoken: I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know; my people do not understand.

Woe, sinful nation, people laden with iniquity, offspring who do evil, children who act corruptly, who have forsaken the Lord, who have despised the Holy One of Israel, [[who are utterly estranged!]]

Why do you seek further beatings? Why do you continue to rebel? The whole head is injured, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot to the head, there is no soundness in it, only bruises and sores and bleeding wounds; they have not been drained or bound up or softened with oil.

Your country lies desolate; your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence aliens devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners.

And daughter Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a shelter in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

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.

When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more!

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.

Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.

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.

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove your evil deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil;

learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow.

Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: If your sins are like scarlet, will they become like snow? If they are red like crimson, will they become like wool?

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land,

but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

How the faithful city has become a prostitute! She that was full of justice, righteousness lodged in her— but now murderers!

Your silver has become dross; your wine is mixed with water.

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.

Therefore says the Sovereign, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: Surely I will pour out my wrath on my enemies and avenge myself on my foes!

I will turn my hand against you; I will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.

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.

Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness.

But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For you shall be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted, and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen.

For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers and like a garden without water.

The strong shall become like tinder and their work like a spark; they and their work shall burn together, with no one to quench them.

The chazon (vision) of Yeshayah ben Amotz, which he saw concerning Yehudah and Yerushalayim in the yamim of Uziyahu, Yotam, Achaz, and Yechizkiyahu, melachim of Yehudah.

Hear, O Shomayim, and give ear, O Eretz, for Hashem hath spoken; I have nourished and brought up banim, and they have rebelled against Me [i.e., willfully flouted My authority. See Yeshayah 53:5,8].

The ox knoweth his owner, and the donkey his master’s manger; but Yisroel doth not know, My people doth not consider.

Ah, goy choteh (sinful nation), a people weighed down with avon (guilt, iniquity), zera of evildoers, banim of corruption; they forsook Hashem, they have spurned the Kadosh Yisroel (the Holy One of Yisroel), they have turned their back on Him. [T.N. Here we see it is 'My people’ (Ex 6:6-7) who are stricken, whereas in Yeshayah 53:8 it is Moshiach Ben Dovid who is stricken for My people.]

Why, seeing that ye will be stricken again, will ye rebel stubbornly again? The kol rosh is sick, and the kol levav faint.

From the sole of the regel even unto the rosh there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores; they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither soothed with shemen.

Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with eish; your land, zarim devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by zarim.

And the Bat Tziyon (i.e., Yerushalayim) is left as a sukkah in a kerem (vineyard), as a shack in a cucumber field, as an ir (city) under siege.

Except Hashem Tzva’os had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Amora (Gomorrah).

Hear the Devar Hashem, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the Torat Eloheinu, ye people of Amora (Gomorrah).

To what purpose is the multitude of your zevakhim unto Me? saith Hashem; I am fed up of the olot (burnt offerings) of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the dahm of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.

When ye come to appear before Me, who hath required this at your hand, to trample khatzerai (My courts)?

Bring no more futile minchot; ketoret is an abomination unto Me; Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) and Shabbos, the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure aven (wickedness) and atzarah (solemn convocation).

Your Rosh Chodesh and your Mo’adim My Nefesh hateth; they are a burden unto Me; I am weary to bear them.

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide Mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many tefillah, I will not hear; your hands are full of dahmim.

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil;

Learn to do good; seek mishpat, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the almanah.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith Hashem; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of ha’aretz;

But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the cherev; for the mouth of Hashem hath spoken.

How is the Kiryah Ne’emanah (Faithful City, i.e., Yerushalayim) become a zonah (harlot)! It was full of mishpat; tzedek lodged in it; but now murderers.

Thy kesef is become dross, thy wine mixed with mayim:

Thy sarim (princes) are rebellious, and companions of ganavim: every one loveth bribes, and followeth after rewards: they give no justice to the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the almanah come unto them.

Therefore saith HaAdon, Hashem Tzva’os, Avir Yisroel (the Mighty One of Yisroel), Ah, I will relieve Myself of Mine adversaries, and avenge Me of Mine enemies:

And I will turn My hand upon thee, and refine away thy impurities, and take away all thy alloy:

And I will restore thy shofetim as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The Ir HaTzedek, the Kiryah Ne’emanah.

Tziyon shall be redeemed with mishpat, and those in her who make teshuvah with tzedakah.

And the destruction of the poshe’im and of the chote’im shall be together, and they that forsake Hashem shall be consumed.

For they shall be ashamed of the sacred oaks which ye have delighted in, and ye shall blush for the gannot (gardens) that ye have chosen.

For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no mayim. [T.N. The unquenchable fire of the apostate in the first chapter points to the unquenchable fire of Gehinnom in the last verse of the last chapter (66:24) and the loathesomeness of those there—Daniel 12:2].

And the strong shall be as tinder, and the maker of it [the idol] as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

A vision of Isaiah, the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and listen, O Earth! For the LORD has said, “I have nourished and brought up children, but they have rebelled against Me.

“The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master’s crib. Israel has not known. My people have not understood.”

Ah, sinful nation! A people laden with iniquity! A seed of the wicked! Corrupt children! They have forsaken the LORD. They have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger. They have gone backward.

Why should you be stricken anymore? For you fall away more and more. The whole head is sick and the whole heart is heavy.

From the sole of the foot to the head, there is nothing whole therein. Wounds and swelling and sores full of corruption, they have not been wrapped or bound up or softened with oil.

Your land is desolate, your cities burnt with fire. Strangers devour your land in your presence and devastate it, as is the overthrow of strangers.

And the Daughter of Zion shall remain like a cottage in a vineyard, like a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, like a besieged city.

Except the LORD of Hosts had reserved to us even a small remnant, we would have been as Sodom, would have been like Gomorrah.

Hear the Word of the LORD, O princes of Sodom! Listen to the Law of our God, O people of Gomorrah!

“What have I to do with the multitude of your sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full of the Burnt Offerings of rams, and of the fat of fed beasts. And I do not desire the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of goats.

“When you come to appear before Me, who required this of your hands, to trample upon My courts?

“Bring no more oblations in vain. Incense is an abomination to Me. I cannot abide iniquitous new moons, or Sabbath, solemn days or solemn assemblies.

“My soul hates your new moons and your appointed feasts. They are a burden to Me. I am weary of bearing them.

“And when you shall stretch out your hands, I will hide My Eyes from you. And though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.

“Wash yourself and make yourself clean. Take away the evil of your works from before My Eyes. Cease to do evil.

“Learn to do well. Seek judgment. Relieve the oppressed. Govern the fatherless. Defend the widow.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins were as crimson, they shall be made white as snow. Though they were red like scarlet, they shall be as wool.

“If you consent and obey, you shall eat the goods of the land.

“But if you refuse and are rebellious, you shall be devoured with the sword.” For the Mouth of the LORD has spoken it.

How has the faithful city become a harlot? It was full of judgment. Justice lodged therein—but now, murderers.

Your silver has become dross. Your wine is mixed with water.

Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves. Everyone loves gifts and follows after rewards. They do not govern the fatherless. Nor does the widow’s cause come before them.

“Therefore,” says the LORD God of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, “Ah, I will relieve Myself of My adversaries and avenge Myself of My enemies.

“Then I will turn My Hand upon you and burn out your dross until it is pure and take away all your tin.

“And I will restore your Judges, as at the first, and your counselors, as at the beginning. Afterward, you shall be called a City of Righteousness, a faithful city.”

Zion shall be redeemed in judgment, and those who return in her, in justice.

And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together. And those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed.

For they shall be ashamed of the oaks, which you have desired. And you shall be confounded for the gardens that you have chosen.

For you shall be as an oak whose leaf fades, and as a garden that has no water.

And the strong shall be as tinder, and their work as a spark. And they shall both burn together. And no one shall quench them.

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzzi′ah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezeki′ah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Sons have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people does not understand.”

Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, sons who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged.

Why will you still be smitten, that you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and bleeding wounds; they are not pressed out, or bound up, or softened with oil.

Your country lies desolate, your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence aliens devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by aliens.

And the daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a lodge in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomor′rah.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomor′rah!

“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 he-goats.

“When you come to appear before me, who requires of you this trampling of my courts?

Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath and the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.

Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them.

When you spread forth 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.

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil,

learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

How the faithful city has become a harlot, she that was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.

Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water.

Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Every one loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not defend the fatherless, and the widow’s cause does not come to them.

Therefore the Lord says, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: “Ah, I will vent my wrath on my enemies, and avenge myself on my foes.

I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.

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.”

Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness.

But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For you shall be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted; and you shall blush for the gardens which you have chosen.

For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water.

And the strong shall become tow, and his work a spark, and both of them shall burn together, with none to quench them.

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzzi′ah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezeki′ah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Sons have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people does not understand.”

Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, sons who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged.

Why will you still be smitten, that you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and bleeding wounds; they are not pressed out, or bound up, or softened with oil.

Your country lies desolate, your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence aliens devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by aliens.

And the daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a lodge in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomor′rah.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomor′rah!

“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 he-goats.

“When you come to appear before me, who requires of you this trampling of my courts?

Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath and the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.

Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them.

When you spread forth 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.

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil,

learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

How the faithful city has become a harlot, she that was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.

Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water.

Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Every one loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not defend the fatherless, and the widow’s cause does not come to them.

Therefore the Lord says, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: “Ah, I will vent my wrath on my enemies, and avenge myself on my foes.

I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.

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.”

Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness.

But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For you shall be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted; and you shall blush for the gardens which you have chosen.

For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water.

And the strong shall become tow, and his work a spark, and both of them shall burn together, with none to quench them.

The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah:

Listen! Heavens, and hear, earth, for Adonai has spoken: “Sons I have raised and brought up, but they have rebelled against Me.

The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its manger, but Israel does not know, My people do not understand.”

Oy, a sinful nation, a people weighed down with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, sons dealing corruptly! They have abandoned Adonai. They have despised Israel’s Holy One. They have turned backwards.

Where will you be struck again, as you stray away more and more? The whole head is sick, the whole heart faint.

From the foot to the head there is no soundness. Wounds, bruises and raw sores: not pressed, nor bandaged, nor softened with oil.

Your land is desolate; your cities are burned with fire; your fields, strangers devour it in your presence— a desolation, overthrown by strangers.

So the Daughter of Zion is left as a sukkah in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

Unless Adonai-Tzva’ot had left us a small remnant, we would have been as Sodom, we would have been as Gomorrah.

Hear the word of Adonai, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the Torah of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

“For what is it to Me—the multitude of your sacrifices?” says Adonai. “I am full of burnt offerings of rams and fat of fed animals. I have no delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or he-goats.

When you come to appear before Me, who has required this at your hand— trampling My courts?

Bring no more worthless offerings! Incense is an abomination to Me. New Moon and Shabbat, the calling of convocations —I cannot endure it— iniquity with solemn assembly.

Your New Moons and your Festivals My soul hates! They are a burden to Me. I am weary to bear them.

When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you. When you multiply prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood!”

“Wash and make yourselves clean. Put away the evil of your deeds from before My eyes. Cease to do evil.

Learn to do good, seek justice, relieve the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.”

“Come now, let us reason together,” says Adonai. “Though your sins be like scarlet, they will be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they will become like wool.

If you are willing and obey, you will eat the good of the land.

But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword.” For the mouth of Adonai has spoken.

How the Faithful City became a harlot! She once was full of justice, righteousness lodged in her— but now murderers!

Your silver has become dross, your wine diluted by water.

Your princes are rebellious and friends with thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and chases after rewards. They do not defend the orphan, nor does a widow’s case come to them.

Therefore says the Lord Adonai-Tzva’ot, the Mighty One of Israel: “Oy! I will get relief from My foes and avenge Myself on My enemies.

Then I will turn My hand on you, purge away your dross, and remove all your alloy.

I will restore your judges as at first, your counselors as at the start. Afterward you will be called City of Righteousness, Faithful City.

Zion will be redeemed with justice, her repentant with righteousness.”

But there will be a crushing of transgressors and sinners together. Forsaking Adonai, they will be consumed.

For they will be ashamed of the sacred oaks that you desired, and embarrassed because of the gardens that you have chosen.

For you will be like an oak of withering leaf, like a garden that has no water.

So the strong will become tinder and his work like a spark— both will burn together, and no one will quench them.

This is the vision that Isaiah (son of Amoz) saw and what he prophesied about Judah and Jerusalem during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah in Judah:

Listen and take note, from the farthest reaches to the nearest! Listen up heaven and earth, for the Eternal One has spoken. He is not happy with the children He raised. Eternal One: Despite all I’ve done, My children have rebelled against Me.

Oxen know their owners; even donkeys know where their master feeds them, But Israel is ignorant. My very own, they ignore Me.

Truly this is a wicked nation, a people fat with wrongdoing, Like a litter of miscreants, a pack of wilding adolescents. They’ve rejected the Eternal, despised the Holy One of Israel; they’ve turned their backs on Him.

Why do you insist on taking a beating? Why do you persist in such reckless rebellion? Your bodies already suffer head to toe— your heads ache and hearts flutter; Your skin is covered with bruises, swollen with welts, and gaping with wounds, with no tending, no healing, no soothing.

Your country is a waste. Your cities are dead, sooty rubble. Your farms and fields are consumed, everything you worked for destroyed by foreign armies as you look on—helplessly.

Zion, our portion of heaven on earth, is no longer protected; Jerusalem stands like a watchman’s shelter in a vineyard, Like a hut in a melon field, like a city assaulted and besieged.

Except for the fraction of us who hang on by the grace of the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, We’d be destroyed and deserted like Sodom and Gomorrah, utterly done in.

Listen to the word of the Eternal One, you rulers of Sodom! Attend to God’s instructions, citizens of Gomorrah!

Eternal One: What do I care for all of your slaughter-gifts? I have had enough of your burnt offerings. I’m not interested in any more ram meat or fat from your well-fed cattle. The blood of bulls, lambs, or goats does not please Me.

When you come into My presence, who told you to trample down the courtyard of My temple bringing all of this?

Just stop giving Me worthless offerings; your incense reeks and offends Me! Your feasts and fasts, your new moons and Sabbaths— I cannot stand any more of your wicked gatherings.

Likewise, I deplore your holidays, those calendar days marked specially for Me; They weigh Me down. I am sick and tired of them!

When you summon Me with your hands in the air, I will ignore you. Even when you pray your whole litany, I won’t be listening Because your hands are full of blood and violence.

Wash yourselves, clean up your lives; remove every speck of evil in what you do before Me. Put an end to all your evil.

Learn to do good; commit yourselves to seeking justice. Make right for the world’s most vulnerable— the oppressed, the orphaned, the widow.

Come on now, let’s walk and talk; let’s work this out. Your wrongdoings are bloodred, But they can turn as white as snow. Your sins are red like crimson, But they can be made clean again like new wool.

If you pay attention now and change your ways, you can eat good things from a healthy earth.

But if you refuse to listen and stubbornly persist, then, by violence and war, you will be the one devoured. These things were spoken by the very mouth of the Eternal.

O that city, once so loyal, has become a prostitute. Where there had been perfect justice, equity and compassion, Now there are murderers.

All that once made your community shine like silver is now tarnished, your best drink watered down like a cheapskate’s wine.

Your leaders are liars, running around with thieves, wheedling for bribes—greedy for “contributions.” They don’t defend the needy and pay no attention to the weak.

Consequently, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, the Mighty One of Israel, will not keep quiet. Eternal One: Oh yes, I will get relief from my enemies and settle the score with My foes!

I will take action against you, My sinful children, burning off whatever is worthless, purging whatever is impure.

I will bring back legislators who have integrity, people like your founding fathers—principled decision-makers. Then your city will be called honorable and just, a model of ethics, trustworthy, and strong.

In that way, this place Zion will pass the test: the city restored by justice, her citizens delivered by repentance.

But those who arrogantly persist in doing wrong will be crushed. Whoever abandons the Eternal will be done in.

You will be ashamed because you found pleasure in idols and oaks; you will suffer disgrace because you bowed before images in gardens.

Like a tree that withers, like a garden without rain, you will fall apart, fade, and dry up.

And those who seem strong among you will become dry straw, their work the spark that sets it all ablaze, Burning everything to the ground and there won’t be anyone around to stop it.

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, heavens, and listen, earth; for Yahweh has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children and they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master’s crib; but Israel doesn’t know. My people don’t consider.”

Ah sinful nation, a people loaded with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken Yahweh. They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They are estranged and backward.

Why should you be beaten more, that you revolt more and more? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness in it, but wounds, welts, and open sores. They haven’t been closed, bandaged, or soothed with oil.

Your country is desolate. Your cities are burned with fire. Strangers devour your land in your presence and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a field of melons, like a besieged city.

Unless Yahweh of Armies had left to us a very small remnant, we would have been as Sodom. We would have been like Gomorrah.

Hear Yahweh’s word, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

“What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me?”, says Yahweh. “I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed animals. I don’t delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of male goats.

When you come to appear before me, who has required this at your hand, to trample my courts?

Bring no more vain offerings. Incense is an abomination to me. New moons, Sabbaths, and convocations— I can’t stand evil assemblies.

My soul hates your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They are a burden to me. I am weary of bearing them.

When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you. Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.

Wash yourselves. Make yourself clean. Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil.

Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Defend the fatherless. Plead for the widow.”

“Come now, and let’s reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land;

but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword; for Yahweh’s mouth has spoken it.”

How the faithful city has become a prostitute! She was full of justice. Righteousness lodged in her, but now there are murderers.

Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water.

Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes and follows after rewards. They don’t defend the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.

Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says: “Ah, I will get relief from my adversaries, and avenge myself on my enemies.

I will turn my hand on you, thoroughly purge away your dross, and will take away all your tin.

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, a faithful town.’

Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness.

But the destruction of transgressors and sinners shall be together, and those who forsake Yahweh shall be consumed.

For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, and you shall be confounded for the gardens that you have chosen.

For you shall be as an oak whose leaf fades, and as a garden that has no water.

The strong will be like tinder, and his work like a spark. They will both burn together, and no one will quench them.”

The vision, either prophesy, of Isaiah, the son of Amoz, which he saw on Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, of Jotham, of Ahaz, and of Hezekiah, kings of Judah. (The vision, or the prophesy, of Isaiah, the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.)

Ye heavens, hear, and thou earth, perceive with ears, for the Lord spake. I have nourished and I have enhanced sons; soothly they have despised me. (Ye heavens, hear, and thou earth, listen, for the Lord spoke. I have nourished and I have raised up my children; but they have despised me.)

An ox knew his lord, and an ass knew the cratch of his lord; but Israel knew not me, and my people understood not. (An ox knew its master, and a donkey knew its master’s stall; but Israel knoweth not, and my people do not understand.)

Woe to the sinful folk, to the people heavy in wickedness, to the wayward seed, to the cursed sons; they have forsaken the Lord, they have blasphemed the Holy of Israel, they be aliened [away] backward. (Woe to this sinful nation, to the people heavy in wickedness, to this depraved generation, to these cursed sons and daughters; they have deserted the Lord, they have blasphemed the Holy One of Israel, they have turned their backs on him.)

On what thing shall I smite you more, that increase trespassing? (Over what thing shall I strike you, ye who continue to trespass, or to sin?) Each head is sick, and each heart is mourning.

From the sole of the foot till to the noll, health is not therein; wound, and wanness, and beating swelling (that) is not bound about (and swelling from a beating that is not bound up), neither cured by medicine, neither nursed with oil.

Your land is forsaken, your cities be burnt by fire; aliens devour your country before you, and it shall be desolate as in the destroying of enemies. (Your land is deserted, your cities be burned down; foreigners devour your country before you, and it shall be made desolate in its destruction by your enemies.)

And the daughter of Zion, that is, Jerusalem, shall be forsaken as a shadowing place in a vineyard, and as an hulk in a place where gourds waxed, and as a city which is wasted. (And the daughter of Zion, that is, Jerusalem, shall be deserted like a place of shadow in a vineyard, and like a hut in a place where cucumbers grew, and like a city that is destroyed.)

If the Lord of hosts had not left seed to us, we had been as Sodom, and we had been like as Gomorrah. (If the Lord of hosts had not left some of us alive, then we would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah.)

Ye princes of men of Sodom, hear the word of the Lord; and ye people of Gomorrah, perceive with ears the law of your God. (Ye leaders of the people of Sodom, listen to the word of the Lord; and ye people of Gomorrah, listen to the Law of your God.)

Whereto offer ye to me the multitude of your sacrifices? saith the Lord. I am full; I would not the burnt sacrifices of wethers (I do not desire the burnt sacrifices of rams), and the inner fatness of fat beasts, and the blood of calves, and of lambs, and of bucks of goats.

When ye came before my sight, who asked of your hands these things, that ye should go in my foreyards? (When ye came before me, who asked for any of these things from your hands, so that ye could walk in my courtyards?)

Offer ye no more sacrifice(s) in vain; incense is abomination to me; I shall not suffer new moon, and sabbath, and other feasts. For your companies be wicked; (To offer your sacrifices any longer would be in vain, that is, empty and futile; your incense is an abomination to me; I will no longer abide new moon, or sabbath, or other festivals. For your congregation is wicked;)

my soul hateth your calends and your solemnities; those be dis-easeful to me, I travailed (with) suffering. (my soul hateth your calends and your feasts; they be distasteful to me, and I am tired of having to witness them.)

And when ye stretch forth your hands, I shall turn away mine eyes from you; and when ye multiply prayer, I shall not hear (you); for why your hands be full of blood.

Be ye washed, be ye clean; do ye away the evil of your thoughts from mine eyes; cease ye to do waywardly,

learn ye to do well. Seek ye doom, help ye him that is oppressed, deem ye to the fatherless and motherless child, defend ye a widow. (learn ye to do what is right. Seek ye justice, help ye those who be oppressed, judge ye for the fatherless and the motherless child, defend ye a widow.)

And come ye, and prove ye me, saith the Lord. Though your sins be as blood-red, those shall be made white as snow; and though they be red as vermilion, they shall be white as wool. (And come ye, and prove ye me out, saith the Lord. And though your sins be as red as blood, they shall be made as white as snow; and though they be as red as vermilion, they shall be made as white as wool.)

If ye will, and hear me, ye shall eat the goods of [the] earth. (If ye be willing, and obey me, then ye shall eat the good things of the earth.)

That if ye do not, and ye stir me to wrathfulness, (the) sword shall devour you; for why the mouth of the Lord spake. (But if ye do not, and ye stir me to anger, the sword shall devour you; for the Lord hath spoken.)

How is the faithful city full of doom made an whore? rightfulness dwelled therein; but now men-quellers dwell therein. (How the faithful city is made like a whore! Once it was full of justice, and righteousness lived there/and the righteous lived there; but now only murderers live there!)

Thy silver is turned into dross, either filth; thy wine is meddled with water (thy wine is mixed with water).

Thy princes be unfaithful, the fellows of thieves; all love gifts, and follow yieldings, either meeds; they deem not to a fatherless child, and the cause of a widow entereth not to them. (Thy leaders be unfaithful, the friends of thieves; all of them love gifts, and follow after bribes, or rewards; they do not judge favourably for a fatherless child, and a widow’s case never even cometh before them.)

For this thing, saith the Lord God of hosts, the Strong of Israel, Alas! I shall be comforted on mine enemies, and I shall be venged of mine enemies (For this thing, saith the Lord God of hosts, the Strong One of Israel, No more! Now I shall get satisfaction over my enemies, and I shall take vengeance upon my enemies/and I shall be avenged upon my enemies.)

And I shall turn mine hand to thee, and I shall seethe out thy filth to the clean, and I shall do away all thy tin. (And I shall turn my hand to thee, and I shall boil out thy filth, until thou be cleansed, and I shall do away all of thine that be worthless.)

And I shall restore thy judges, as they were before, and thy counsellors, as in eld time. After these things thou shalt be called the city of the rightful, a faithful city (And after these things thou shalt be called the city of the righteous, yea, a faithful city).

Zion shall be again-bought in doom, and they shall bring it again into rightfulness; (Zion shall be redeemed in justice, and they shall bring it back to righteousness;)

and God shall all-break [the] cursed men and [the] sinners together, and they that forsake the Lord, shall be wasted (yea, they who desert the Lord, shall be destroyed).

For they shall be ashamed of [the] idols, to which they made sacrifice; and ye shall be ashamed on the orchards, which ye choosed (and ye shall be ashamed of the gardens dedicated, or consecrated, to idols, which ye have planted).

When ye shall be as an oak, when the leaves fall down, and as an orchard without water. (And ye shall be like an oak, when the leaves fall down, and like a garden without water.)

And your strength shall be as a dead spark of stubble, either of hards of flax, and your work shall be as a quick spark; and ever either shall be burnt together, and none shall be that shall quench. (And your strength shall be like a dead spark of stubble, or of the husks of flax, and your work shall be like a living spark; and both shall be burned together, and no one shall be able to quench them.)

The Visions of Isaiah son of Amoz, that he hath seen concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, For Jehovah hath spoken: Sons I have nourished and brought up, And they -- they transgressed against Me.

An ox hath known its owner, And an ass the crib of its master, Israel hath not known, My people hath not understood.

Ah, sinning nation, a people heavy [with] iniquity, A seed of evil doers, sons -- corrupters! They have forsaken Jehovah, They have despised the Holy One of Israel, They have gone away backward.

Wherefore are ye stricken any more? Ye do add apostacy! Every head is become diseased, and every heart [is] sick.

From the sole of the foot -- unto the head, There is no soundness in it, Wound, and bruise, and fresh smiting! They have not been closed nor bound, Nor have they softened with ointment.

Your land [is] a desolation, your cities burnt with fire, Your ground, before you strangers are consuming it, And a desolation as overthrown by strangers!

And left hath been the daughter of Zion, As a booth in a vineyard, As a lodge in a place of cucumbers -- as a city besieged.

Unless Jehovah of Hosts had left to us a remnant, Shortly -- as Sodom we had been, To Gomorrah we had been like!

Hear the word of Jehovah, ye rulers of Sodom, Give ear to the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah,

`Why to Me the abundance of your sacrifices? saith Jehovah, I have been satiated [with] burnt-offerings of rams, And fat of fatlings; And blood of bullocks, and lambs, And he-goats I have not desired.

When ye come in to appear before Me, Who hath required this of your hand, To trample My courts?

Add not to bring in a vain present, Incense -- an abomination it [is] to Me, New moon, and sabbath, calling of convocation! Rendure not iniquity -- and a restraint!

Your new moons and your set seasons hath My soul hated, They have been upon me for a burden, I have been weary of bearing.

And in your spreading forth your hands, I hide mine eyes from you, Also when ye increase prayer, I do not hear, Your hands of blood have been full.

Wash ye, make ye pure, Turn aside the evil of your doings, from before Mine eyes, Cease to do evil, learn to do good.

Seek judgment, make happy the oppressed, Judge the fatherless, strive [for] the widow.

Come, I pray you, and we reason, saith Jehovah, If your sins are as scarlet, as snow they shall be white, If they are red as crimson, as wool they shall be!

If ye are willing, and have hearkened, The good of the land ye consume,

And if ye refuse, and have rebelled, [By] the sword ye are consumed, For the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken.

How hath a faithful city become a harlot? I have filled it [with] judgment, Righteousness lodgeth in it -- now murderers.

Thy silver hath become dross, Thy drink polluted with water.

Thy princes [are] apostates, and companions of thieves, Every one loving a bribe, and pursuing rewards, The fatherless they judge not, And the plea of the widow cometh not to them.

Therefore -- the affirmation of the Lord -- Jehovah of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: Ah, I am eased of Mine adversaries, And I am avenged of Mine enemies,

And I turn back My hand upon thee, And I refine as purity thy dross, And I turn aside all thy tin,

And I give back thy judges as at the first, And thy counsellors as in the beginning, After this thou art called, `A city of righteousness -- a faithful city.'

Zion in judgment is redeemed, And her captivity in righteousness.

And the destruction of transgressors and sinners [is] together, And those forsaking Jehovah are consumed.

For [men] are ashamed because of the oaks That ye have desired, And ye are confounded because of the gardens That ye have chosen.

For ye are as an oak whose leaf is fading, And as a garden that hath no water.

And the strong hath been for tow, And his work for a spark, And burned have both of them together, And there is none quenching!