Isaiah Is Sent with a Message for the Lord’s People

1 In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a high and lofty throne. The bottom of his robe filled the temple. 2 Angelsa were standing above him. Each had six wings: With two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They called to each other and said, 

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies! 

The whole earth is filled with his glory.” 

4 Their voices shook the foundations of the doorposts, and the temple filled with smoke. 

5 So I said, “Oh, no! 

I’m doomed. 

Every word that passes through my lips is sinful. 

I live among people with sinful lips. 

I have seen the king, the Lord of Armies!” 

6 Then one of the angels flew to me. In his hand was a burning coal that he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7 He touched my mouth with it and said, “This has touched your lips. Your guilt has been taken away, and your sin has been forgiven.” 

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom will I send? Who will go for us?” 

I said, “Here I am. Send me!” 

9 And he said, “Go and tell these people, 

‘No matter how closely you listen, you’ll never understand. 

No matter how closely you look, you’ll never see.’