(This is) 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 , O heavens , and give ear , O earth , for the LORD has spoken : “ I have raised children and brought them up , but they have rebelled
The ox knows its owner , and the donkey its master’s manger , but Israel does not know ; My people do not understand. ”
Alas , O sinful nation , a people laden with iniquity , a brood of evildoers , children of depravity ! They have forsaken - the LORD ; they have despised - the Holy One of Israel (and) turned their backs on Him.
Why ... do you want more beatings ? Why do you keep rebelling ? Your head has a massive wound , and your whole heart is afflicted.
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.
Your land is desolate ; your cities (are) burned with fire. Foreigners devour - your fields before you — a desolation demolished by strangers.
And the Daughter of Zion is abandoned like a shelter in a vineyard , like a shack in a cucumber field , like a city besieged.
Unless the LORD of Hosts had left a few survivors , we would have become like Sodom , we would have resembled Gomorrah.
Hear the word of the LORD , you rulers of Sodom ; listen to the instruction of our God , you people of Gomorrah !
“ What (good) (is) your multitude of sacrifices ? ” says the LORD. “ I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle ; vvv I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
When you come to appear before Me , who has required this of you — this trampling of My courts ?
Bring your worthless offerings no more ; your incense is detestable ... (your) New Moons , Sabbaths , and convocations .... I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly.
I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me ; I am weary of bearing them.
When you spread out your hands in prayer , I will hide My eyes even though you multiply your prayers , I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.
Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil !
Learn to do right ; seek justice (and) correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless (and) plead the case of the widow. ”
“ Come now , 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 become like wool.
If you are willing and obedient , you will eat the best 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 harlot ! She once was full of justice ; righteousness resided but now only murderers !
Your silver has become dross ; your fine wine is diluted with water.
Your rulers are rebels , friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless , and the plea of the widow never comes before them.
Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts , the Mighty One of Israel , declares : “ Ah , I will be relieved of My foes and avenge Myself on My enemies.
I will turn My hand against you ; I will thoroughly purge ... your dross ; I will remove all your impurities.
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 , the Faithful City. ”
Zion will be redeemed with justice , her repentant ones with righteousness.
But rebels and sinners will together be shattered , and those who forsake the LORD will perish.
Surely you will be ashamed of the sacred oaks - in which you have delighted ; you will be embarrassed by the gardens that you have chosen.
For you will become like an oak whose leaves are withered , like a garden - without water.
The strong man will become tinder and his work (will be) a spark ; both will burn together , with no one to quench the flames.