Judah’s Rebellion
(2 Chronicles 28:5–15)

1The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz that he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

2Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth,

for YHWH has spoken:

“Sons I have brought up and raised up,

and they have rebelled against Me.

3An ox has known his owner

and a donkey the trough of its master;

Israel has not known;

my people have not understood.”

4Alas, O sinning nation,

a people heavy with iniquity,

a seed doing evil,

sons bringing corruption!

They have forsaken YHWH,

they have despised the Holy One of Israel,

they have become estranged backward.

5For what should you⁺ be struck still?

Should you⁺ continue in rebellion?

The whole head is sick,

and the whole heart is faint.

6From the sole of the foot and to the head,

no soundness is in it—

wounds and fresh stripes and blows;

they have not been pressed and not bound up and not soothed with oil.

7Your⁺ land is a desolation,

your⁺ cities burnt with fire,

your⁺ ground in front of you⁺, strangers devour it,

and it is a desolation, as overthrown by strangers.

8And the daughter of Zion has been left

like a shelter in a vineyard,

like a lodge in a cucumber field,

like a city besieged.

9Unless YHWH of Hosts

had left to us a very small remnant,†

we would have become like Sodom,

we would have resembled Gomorrah.†

Meaningless Offerings

10Hear the word of YHWH,

chiefs of Sodom;

give ear to the Instruction of our God,

people of Gomorrah!

11“What to Me is the multitude of your⁺ sacrifices?”

Says YHWH.

“I have had my fill of burnt offerings of rams,

and the fat of well-fed cattle,

and in the blood of bulls and lambs and he-goats

I take no delight.

12When you⁺ come to appear before My face,

who has sought this from your⁺ hand,

to trample My courts?

13You⁺ shall not add to bring an offering of worthlessness;

incense, it is an abomination to Me,

New Moons and Sabbaths and the calling of assemblies—

I cannot endure iniquity, in a solemn assembly!

14Your⁺ New Moons and your⁺ appointed feasts,

My soul hates;

they are to Me as a burden;

I am weary of bearing them.

15And in your⁺ spreading forth your⁺ hands,

I will hide My eyes from you⁺;

even though you⁺ multiply prayers,

I will not be listening.

Your⁺ hands are full of blood!

16Wash, cleanse yourselves;

turn aside the evil of your⁺ deeds from before My eyes.

Cease to do evil.

17Learn to do good,

seek justice, rebuke the oppressor,†

bring justice for the fatherless,

contend for the widow.”

18“Come now, and let us reason together,”

says YHWH.

“Though your⁺ sins may be like scarlet,

they will be white like snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they will become like wool.

19If you⁺ are willing and obey,

then the good of the land you⁺ will eat.

20And if you⁺ refuse and rebel,

by the sword you⁺ will be devoured.”

For the mouth of YHWH has spoken.

The Corruption of Zion

21How the faithful city has become like a prostitute!

She was full of justice,

righteousness lodged with her—

and now murderers are there!

22Your silver has become as dross,

your wine is weakened with water.

23Your princes are rebels

and companions of thieves,

everyone is loving a bribe

and pursuing rewards.

The fatherless they do not defend

and the case of the widow does not come to them.

24Thus is the declaration of the Lord YHWH of hosts,

the Mighty One of Israel:

“Ah, I will be relieved of My adversaries,

and avenge Myself on My enemies.

25And I will turn My hand against you

and will refine as with lye your dross,

and I will turn aside all your alloys.

26And I will restore your judges as at the first,

and your counselors as at the beginning.

After this it shall be called for you the city of righteousness—

the Faithful City.”

27Zion with justice shall be redeemed,

and her repentant ones with righteousness.

28And the breaking of rebels and sinners will be together,

and those abandoning YHWH will be consumed.

29For they will be ashamed of the Oaks

that you⁺ have desired,

and you⁺ will be embarrassed by the gardens

that you⁺ have chosen.

30For you⁺ will be like an oak at the withering of its leaf,

and a garden for which there is no water.

31And the strong one will become as tinder,

and his work as a spark,

and both of them will burn together,

and none will quench them!