Isaiah 1:1-18 ▼

1 This is the vision concerning Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace) that Isaiah (YHWH has saved) son of Amoz (strong) saw during the reigns of Uzziah (my strength is YHWH), Jotham (YHWH is perfect), Ahaz (he has grasped), and Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength), kings of Judah.

2 Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD {YHWH} has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me.

3 The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel (he wrestles with God) does not know; My people do not understand.”

4 Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD {YHWH}; they have despised the Holy One of Israel (he wrestles with God) and turned their backs on Him.

5 Why do you⁺ want more beatings? Why do you⁺ keep rebelling? Your head has a massive wound, and your whole heart is afflicted.

6 From the sole of your foot to the top of your head, there is no soundness—only wounds and welts and festering sores neither cleansed nor bandaged nor soothed with oil.

7 Your⁺ land is desolate; your⁺ cities are burned with fire. Foreigners devour your⁺ fields before you⁺—a desolation demolished by strangers.

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

9 Unless the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts had left us a few survivors [had left us descendants], we would have become like Sodom (burning), we would have resembled Gomorrah .

10 Hear the word of the LORD {YHWH}, you rulers of Sodom (burning); listen to the instruction of our God {Elohenu}, you people of Gomorrah (submersion)!

11 “What good to Me is your⁺ multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD {YHWH}. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.

12 When you⁺ come to appear before Me, who has required this of you⁺—this trampling of My courts?

13 Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly.

14 I hate your⁺ New Moons and your⁺ appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.

15 When you⁺ spread out your⁺ hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you⁺; even though you⁺ multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your⁺ hands are covered with blood.

16 Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your⁺ evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!

17 Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor (and encourage the oppressed). Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD {YHWH}. “Though your⁺ sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.