Isaiah 1:21 See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her-- but now murderers!

◄ Isaiah 1:21 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her-- but now murderers!

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

New American Standard Bible
How the faithful city has become a harlot, She who was full of justice! Righteousness once lodged in her, But now murderers.

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

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

International Standard Version
"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.

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

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

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

Young's Literal Translation
How hath a faithful city become a harlot? I have filled it with judgment, Righteousness lodgeth in it -- now murderers.

Cross References

Revelation 17:1
And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying to me, Come here; I will show to you the judgment of the great whore that sits on many waters:

Isaiah 1:22
Your silver is become dross, your wine mixed with water:

Isaiah 57:3
But draw near here, you sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.

Isaiah 59:3
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perverseness.

Isaiah 59:14
And judgment is turned away backward, and justice stands afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

Isaiah 59:15
Yes, truth fails; and he that departs from evil makes himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.

Jeremiah 2:20
For of old time I have broken your yoke, and burst your bands; and you said, I will not transgress; when on every high hill and under every green tree you wander, playing the harlot.

Hosea 2:5
For their mother has played the harlot: she that conceived them has done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink.

Habakkuk 1:4
Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment does never go forth: for the wicked does compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceeds.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

1:21-31 Neither holy cities nor royal ones are faithful to their trust, if religion does not dwell in them. Dross may shine like silver, and the wine that is mixed with water may still have the colour of wine. Those have a great deal to answer for, who do not help the oppressed, but oppress them. Men may do much by outward restraints; but only God works effectually by the influences of his Spirit, as a Spirit of Judgment. Sin is the worst captivity, the worst slavery. The redemption of the spiritual Zion, by the righteousness and death of Christ, and by his powerful grace, most fully accord with what is here meant. Utter ruin is threatened. The Jews should become as a tree when blasted by heat; as a garden without water, which in those hot countries would soon be burned up. Thus shall they be that trust in idols, or in an arm of flesh. Even the strong man shall be as tow; not only soon broken, and pulled to pieces, but easily catching fire. When the sinner has made himself as tow and stubble, and God makes himself as a consuming fire, what can prevent the utter ruin of the sinner?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

21. faithful—as a wife (Isa 54:5; 62:5; Ho 2:19, 20).

harlot—(Eze 16:28-35).

righteousness lodged—(2Pe 3:13).

murderers—murderous oppressors, as the antithesis requires (see on [687]Isa 1:15; [688]1Jo 3:15).