Isaiah 1

1The 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. 2* has spoken: and they have rebelled against me. Hear, heavens, “I have nourished and brought up children, 3and the donkey his master’s crib; but Israel doesn’t know, my people don’t consider.” The ox knows his owner, 4a people loaded with iniquity, * of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They are estranged and backward. Ah sinful nation, They have forsaken Yahweh. 5that you revolt more and more? and the whole heart faint. Why should you be beaten more, The whole head is sick, 6wounds, welts, and open sores. They haven’t been closed, neither bandaged, neither soothed with oil. From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness in it: 7Your cities are burned with fire. Strangers devour your land in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. Your country is desolate. 8like a hut in a field of melons, like a besieged city. The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, 9we would have been as Sodom; we would have been like Gomorrah. Unless Yahweh of Armies had left to us a very small remnant, 10* you people of Gomorrah! Hear Yahweh’s word, you rulers of Sodom! 11“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. “What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me?”, says Yahweh. 12who has required this at your hand, to trample my courts? When you come to appear before me, 13Incense is an abomination to me; new moons, Sabbaths, and convocations: I can’t bear with evil assemblies. Bring no more vain offerings. 14They are a burden to me. I am weary of bearing them. My soul hates your New Moons and your appointed feasts. 15Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you. 16Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil. Wash yourselves, make yourself clean. 17Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Judge the fatherless. Plead for the widow.” Learn to do well. 18“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. “Come now, and let us reason together,” says Yahweh: 19you shall eat the good of the land; If you are willing and obedient, 20but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it.” 21She was full of justice; righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers. How the faithful city has become a prostitute! 22your wine mixed with water. Your silver has become dross, 23Everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards. They don’t judge the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them. Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves. 24the Mighty One of Israel, says: and avenge myself on my enemies; Therefore the Lord, * Yahweh of Armies, “Ah, I will get relief from my adversaries, 25thoroughly purge away your dross, * and I will turn my hand on you, 26and your counselors as at the beginning. a faithful town.’ I will restore your judges as at the first, Afterward you shall be called ‘The city of righteousness, 27and her converts with righteousness. Zion shall be redeemed with justice, 28and those who forsake Yahweh shall be consumed. But the destruction of transgressors and sinners shall be together, 29and you shall be confounded for the gardens that you have chosen. For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, 30and as a garden that has no water. For you shall be as an oak whose leaf fades, 31and his work like a spark. and no one will quench them.” The strong will be like tinder, They will both burn together,