Isaiah 1

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

2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!

For the Lord has spoken:

“I reared children and brought them up,

but they have rebelled against me.

3 The ox knows its master,

the donkey its owner’s manger,

but Israel does not know,

my people do not understand.”

4 Woe to the sinful nation,

a people whose guilt is great,

a brood of evildoers,

children given to corruption!

They have forsaken the Lord;

they have spurned the Holy One of Israel

and turned their backs on him.

5 Why should you be beaten anymore?

Why do you persist in rebellion?

Your whole head is injured,

your whole heart afflicted.

6 From the sole of your foot to the top of your head

there is no soundness—

only wounds and welts

and open sores,

not cleansed or bandaged

or soothed with olive oil.

7 Your country is desolate,

your cities burned with fire;

your fields are being stripped by foreigners

right before you,

laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.

8 Daughter Zion is left

like a shelter in a vineyard,

like a hut in a cucumber field,

like a city under siege.

9 Unless the Lord Almighty

had left us some survivors,

we would have become like Sodom,

we would have been like Gomorrah.

10 Hear the word of the Lord,

you rulers of Sodom;

listen to the instruction of our God,

you people of Gomorrah!

11 “The multitude of your sacrifices—

what are they to me?” says the Lord.

“I have more than enough of burnt offerings,

of rams and the fat of fattened animals;

I have no pleasure

in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.

12 When you come to appear before me,

who has asked this of you,

this trampling of my courts?

13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings!

Your incense is detestable to me.

New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—

I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.

14 Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals

I hate with all my being.

They have become a burden to me;

I am weary of bearing them.

15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,

I hide my eyes from you;

even when you offer many prayers,

I am not listening.

Your hands are full of blood!

16 Wash and make yourselves clean.

Take your evil deeds out of my sight;

stop doing wrong.

17 Learn to do right; seek justice.

Defend the oppressed.

Take up the cause of the fatherless;

plead the case of the widow.

18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”

says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red as crimson,

they shall be like wool.

19 If you are willing and obedient,

you will eat the good things of the land;

20 but if you resist and rebel,

you will be devoured by the sword.”

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

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!

22 Your silver has become dross,

your choice wine is diluted with water.

23 Your rulers are rebels,

partners with thieves;

they all love bribes

and chase after gifts.

They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;

the widow’s case does not come before them.

24 Therefore the Lord, the Lord Almighty,

the Mighty One of Israel, declares:

“Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes

and avenge myself on my enemies.

25 I will turn my hand against you;

I will thoroughly purge away your dross

and remove all your impurities.

26 I will restore your leaders as in days of old,

your rulers as at the beginning.

Afterward you will be called

the City of Righteousness,

the Faithful City.”

27 Zion will be delivered with justice,

her penitent ones with righteousness.

28 But rebels and sinners will both be broken,

and those who forsake the Lord will perish.

29 “You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks

in which you have delighted;

you will be disgraced because of the gardens

that you have chosen.

30 You will be like an oak with fading leaves,

like a garden without water.

31 The mighty man will become tinder

and his work a spark;

both will burn together,

with no one to quench the fire.”

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

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

for the Lord has spoken:

“Children have I reared and brought up,

but they have rebelled against me.

3 The ox knows its owner,

and the donkey its master’s crib,

but Israel does not know,

my people do not understand.”

4 Ah, sinful nation,

a people laden with iniquity,

offspring of evildoers,

children who deal corruptly!

They have forsaken the Lord,

they have despised the Holy One of Israel,

they are utterly estranged.

5 Why will you still be struck down?

Why will you continue to rebel?

The whole head is sick,

and the whole heart faint.

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

there is no soundness in it,

but bruises and sores

and raw wounds;

they are not pressed out or bound up

or softened with oil.

7 Your country lies desolate;

your cities are burned with fire;

in your very presence

foreigners devour your land;

it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners.

8 And the daughter of Zion is left

like a booth in a vineyard,

like a lodge in a cucumber field,

like a besieged city.

9 If the Lord of hosts

had not left us a few survivors,

we should have been like Sodom,

and become like Gomorrah.

10 Hear the word of the Lord,

you rulers of Sodom!

Give ear to the teaching of our God,

you people of Gomorrah!

11 “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?

says the Lord;

I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams

and the fat of well-fed beasts;

I do not delight in the blood of bulls,

or of lambs, or of goats.

12 “When you come to appear before me,

who has required of you

this trampling of my courts?

13 Bring no more vain offerings;

incense is an abomination to me.

New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—

I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.

14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts

my soul hates;

they have become a burden to me;

I am weary of bearing them.

15 When you spread out your hands,

I will hide my eyes from you;

even though you make many prayers,

I will not listen;

your hands are full of blood.

16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;

remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes;

cease to do evil,

17 learn to do good;

seek justice,

correct oppression;

bring justice to the fatherless,

plead the widow’s cause.

18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:

though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool.

19 If you are willing and obedient,

you shall eat the good of the land;

20 but if you refuse and rebel,

you shall be eaten by the sword;

for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

21 How the faithful city

has become a whore,

she who was full of justice!

Righteousness lodged in her,

but now murderers.

22 Your silver has become dross,

your best wine mixed with water.

23 Your princes are rebels

and companions of thieves.

Everyone loves a bribe

and runs after gifts.

They do not bring justice to the fatherless,

and the widow’s cause does not come to them.

24 Therefore the Lord declares,

the Lord of hosts,

the Mighty One of Israel:

“Ah, I will get relief from my enemies

and avenge myself on my foes.

25 I will turn my hand against you

and will smelt away your dross as with lye

and remove all your alloy.

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

and your counselors as at the beginning.

Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness,

the faithful city.”

27 Zion shall be redeemed by justice,

and those in her who repent, by righteousness.

28 But rebels and sinners shall be broken together,

and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks

that you desired;

and you shall blush for the gardens

that you have chosen.

30 For you shall be like an oak

whose leaf withers,

and like a garden without water.

31 And the strong shall become tinder,

and his work a spark,

and both of them shall burn together,

with none to quench them.

1 These are the visions that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. He saw these visions during the years when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah.

2 Listen, O heavens! Pay attention, earth!

This is what the Lord says:

“The children I raised and cared for

have rebelled against me.

3 Even an ox knows its owner,

and a donkey recognizes its master’s care—

but Israel doesn’t know its master.

My people don’t recognize my care for them.”

4 Oh, what a sinful nation they are—

loaded down with a burden of guilt.

They are evil people,

corrupt children who have rejected the Lord.

They have despised the Holy One of Israel

and turned their backs on him.

5 Why do you continue to invite punishment?

Must you rebel forever?

Your head is injured,

and your heart is sick.

6 You are battered from head to foot—

covered with bruises, welts, and infected wounds—

without any soothing ointments or bandages.

7 Your country lies in ruins,

and your towns are burned.

Foreigners plunder your fields before your eyes

and destroy everything they see.

8 Beautiful Jerusalem stands abandoned

like a watchman’s shelter in a vineyard,

like a lean-to in a cucumber field after the harvest,

like a helpless city under siege.

9 If the Lord of Heaven’s Armies

had not spared a few of us,

we would have been wiped out like Sodom,

destroyed like Gomorrah.

10 Listen to the Lord, you leaders of “Sodom.”

Listen to the law of our God, people of “Gomorrah.”

11 “What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?”

says the Lord.

“I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams

and the fat of fattened cattle.

I get no pleasure from the blood

of bulls and lambs and goats.

12 When you come to worship me,

who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony?

13 Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts;

the incense of your offerings disgusts me!

As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath

and your special days for fasting—

they are all sinful and false.

I want no more of your pious meetings.

14 I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals.

They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them!

15 When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look.

Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen,

for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.

16 Wash yourselves and be clean!

Get your sins out of my sight.

Give up your evil ways.

17 Learn to do good.

Seek justice.

Help the oppressed.

Defend the cause of orphans.

Fight for the rights of widows.

18 “Come now, let’s settle this,”

says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

I will make them as white as snow.

Though they are red like crimson,

I will make them as white as wool.

19 If you will only obey me,

you will have plenty to eat.

20 But if you turn away and refuse to listen,

you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies.

I, the Lord, have spoken!”

21 See how Jerusalem, once so faithful,

has become a prostitute.

Once the home of justice and righteousness,

she is now filled with murderers.

22 Once like pure silver,

you have become like worthless slag.

Once so pure,

you are now like watered-down wine.

23 Your leaders are rebels,

the companions of thieves.

All of them love bribes

and demand payoffs,

but they refuse to defend the cause of orphans

or fight for the rights of widows.

24 Therefore, the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,

the Mighty One of Israel, says,

“I will take revenge on my enemies

and pay back my foes!

25 I will raise my fist against you.

I will melt you down and skim off your slag.

I will remove all your impurities.

26 Then I will give you good judges again

and wise counselors like you used to have.

Then Jerusalem will again be called the Home of Justice

and the Faithful City.”

27 Zion will be restored by justice;

those who repent will be revived by righteousness.

28 But rebels and sinners will be completely destroyed,

and those who desert the Lord will be consumed.

29 You will be ashamed of your idol worship

in groves of sacred oaks.

You will blush because you worshiped

in gardens dedicated to idols.

30 You will be like a great tree with withered leaves,

like a garden without water.

31 The strongest among you will disappear like straw;

their evil deeds will be the spark that sets it on fire.

They and their evil works will burn up together,

and no one will be able to put out the fire.

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

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

For the Lord has spoken:

“I have nourished and brought up children,

And they have rebelled against Me;

3 The ox knows its owner

And the donkey its master’s crib;

But Israel does not know,

My people do not consider.”

4 Alas, sinful nation,

A people laden with iniquity,

A brood of evildoers,

Children who are corrupters!

They have forsaken the Lord,

They have provoked to anger

The Holy One of Israel,

They have turned away backward.

5 Why should you be stricken again?

You will revolt more and more.

The whole head is sick,

And the whole heart faints.

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

There is no soundness in it,

But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores;

They have not been closed or bound up,

Or soothed with ointment.

7 Your country is desolate,

Your cities are burned with fire;

Strangers devour your land in your presence;

And it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

8 So the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard,

As a hut in a garden of cucumbers,

As a besieged city.

9 Unless the Lord of hosts

Had left to us a very small remnant,

We would have become like Sodom,

We would have been made like Gomorrah.

10 Hear the word of the Lord,

You rulers of Sodom;

Give ear to the law of our God,

You people of Gomorrah:

11 “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?”

Says the Lord.

“I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams

And the fat of fed cattle.

I do not delight in the blood of bulls,

Or of lambs or goats.

12 “When you come to appear before Me,

Who has required this from your hand,

To trample My courts?

13 Bring no more futile sacrifices;

Incense is an abomination to Me.

The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—

I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.

14 Your New Moons and your appointed feasts

My soul hates;

They are a trouble to Me,

I am weary of bearing them.

15 When you spread out your hands,

I will hide My eyes from you;

Even though you make many prayers,

I will not hear.

Your hands are full of blood.

16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;

Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.

Cease to do evil,

17 Learn to do good;

Seek justice,

Rebuke the oppressor;

Defend the fatherless,

Plead for the widow.

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

Says the Lord,

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson,

They shall be as wool.

19 If you are willing and obedient,

You shall eat the good of the land;

20 But if you refuse and rebel,

You shall be devoured by the sword”;

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

21 How the faithful city has become a harlot!

It was full of justice;

Righteousness lodged in it,

But now murderers.

22 Your silver has become dross,

Your wine mixed with water.

23 Your princes are rebellious,

And companions of thieves;

Everyone loves bribes,

And follows after rewards.

They do not defend the fatherless,

Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.

24 Therefore the Lord says,

The Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel,

“Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries,

And take vengeance on My enemies.

25 I will turn My hand against you,

And thoroughly purge away your dross,

And take away all your alloy.

26 I will restore your judges as at the first,

And your counselors as at the beginning.

Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.”

27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice,

And her penitents with righteousness.

28 The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together,

And those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

29 For they shall be ashamed of the terebinth trees

Which you have desired;

And you shall be embarrassed because of the gardens

Which you have chosen.

30 For you shall be as a terebinth whose leaf fades,

And as a garden that has no water.

31 The strong shall be as tinder,

And the work of it as a spark;

Both will burn together,

And no one shall quench them.

1 This is the vision Isaiah son of Amoz saw about what would happen to Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah saw these things while Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah.

2 Heaven and earth, listen,

because the Lord is speaking:

“I raised my children and helped them grow up,

but they have turned against me.

3 An ox knows its master,

and a donkey knows where its owner feeds it,

but the people of Israel do not know me;

my people do not understand.”

4 How terrible! Israel is a nation of sin,

a people loaded down with guilt,

a group of children doing evil,

children who are full of evil.

They have left the Lord;

they hate God, the Holy One of Israel,

and have turned away from him as if he were a stranger.

5 Why should you continue to be punished?

Why do you continue to turn against him?

Your whole head is hurt,

and your whole heart is sick.

6 There is no healthy spot

from the bottom of your foot to the top of your head;

you are covered with wounds, hurts, and open sores

that are not cleaned and covered,

and no medicine takes away the pain.

7 Your land is ruined;

your cities have been burned with fire.

While you watch,

your enemies are stealing everything from your land;

it is ruined like a country destroyed by enemies.

8 Jerusalem is left alone

like an empty shelter in a vineyard,

like a hut left in a field of melons,

like a city surrounded by enemies.

9 The Lord All-Powerful

allowed a few of our people to live.

Otherwise we would have been completely destroyed

like the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

10 Jerusalem, your rulers are like those of Sodom,

and your people are like those of Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord;

listen to the teaching of our God!

11 The Lord says,

“I do not want all these sacrifices.

I have had enough of your burnt sacrifices

of male sheep and fat from fine animals.

I am not pleased

by the blood of bulls, lambs, and goats.

12 You come to meet with me,

but who asked you to do

all this running in and out of my Temple’s rooms?

13 Don’t continue bringing me worthless sacrifices!

I hate the incense you burn.

I can’t stand your New Moons, Sabbaths, and other feast days;

I can’t stand the evil you do in your holy meetings.

14 I hate your New Moon feasts

and your other yearly feasts.

They have become a heavy weight on me,

and I am tired of carrying it.

15 When you raise your arms to me in prayer,

I will refuse to look at you.

Even if you say many prayers,

I will not listen to you,

because your hands are full of blood.

16 Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean.

Stop doing the evil things I see you do.

Stop doing wrong.

17 Learn to do good.

Seek justice.

Punish those who hurt others.

Help the orphans.

Stand up for the rights of widows.”

18 The Lord says,

“Come, let us talk about these things.

Though your sins are like scarlet,

they can be as white as snow.

Though your sins are deep red,

they can be white like wool.

19 If you become willing and obey me,

you will eat good crops from the land.

20 But if you refuse to obey and if you turn against me,

you will be destroyed by your enemies’ swords.”

The Lord himself said these things.

21 The city of Jerusalem once followed the Lord,

but she is no longer loyal to him.

She used to be filled with fairness;

people there lived the way God wanted.

But now, murderers live there.

22 Jerusalem, you have become like the scum left when silver is purified;

you are like wine mixed with water.

23 Your rulers are rebels

and friends of thieves.

They all accept money for doing wrong,

and they are paid to cheat people.

They don’t seek justice for the orphans

or listen to the widows’ needs.

24 So the Lord God All-Powerful,

the Mighty One of Israel, says:

“You, my enemies, will not cause me any more trouble.

I will pay you back for what you did.

25 I will turn against you

and clean away all your wrongs as if with soap;

I will take all the worthless things out of you.

26 I will bring back judges as you had long ago;

your counselors will be like those you had in the beginning.

Then you will be called the City That Is Right with God,

the Loyal City.”

27 By doing what is fair,

Jerusalem will be free again.

By doing what is right,

her people who come back to the Lord will have freedom.

28 But sinners and those who turn against him will be destroyed;

those who have left the Lord will die.

29 “You will be ashamed,

because you have worshiped gods under the oak trees.

You will be disgraced,

because you have worshiped idols in your gardens.

30 You will be like an oak whose leaves are dying

or like a garden without water.

31 Powerful people will be like small, dry pieces of wood,

and their works will be like sparks.

They will burn together,

and no one will be able to put out that fire.”

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

2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for Jehovah hath spoken: I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. 4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, children that deal corruptly! they have forsaken Jehovah, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are estranged and gone backward. 5 Why will ye be still stricken, that ye revolt more and more? the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and fresh stripes: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with oil. 7 Your country is desolate; your cities are burned with fire; your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. 8 And the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city. 9 Except Jehovah of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

10 Hear the word of Jehovah, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. 11 What unto me is the multitude of your sacrifices? saith Jehovah: I have had enough of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats. 12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to trample my courts? 13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; new moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies,—I cannot away with iniquity and the solemn meeting. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth; they are a trouble unto me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. 16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17 learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it.

21 How is the faithful city become a harlot! she that was full of justice! righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers. 22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water. 23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth bribes, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

24 Therefore saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies; 25 and I will turn my hand upon thee, and thoroughly purge away thy dross, and will take away all thy tin; 26 and I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called The city of righteousness, a faithful town. 27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness. 28 But the destruction of transgressors and sinners shall be together, and they that forsake Jehovah shall be consumed. 29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen. 30 For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water. 31 And the strong shall be as tow, and his work as a spark; and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

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

2 Hear, ye heavens, and give ear, thou earth! for Jehovah hath spoken: I have nourished and brought up children; and they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib; Israel doth not know, my people hath no intelligence. 4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that corrupt themselves! They have forsaken Jehovah; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they are turned away backward. 5 Why should ye be smitten any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in him; wounds, and weals, and open sores: they have not been dressed, nor bound up, nor mollified with oil. 7 Your country is desolate; your cities are burned with fire; your land, strangers eat it up in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. 8 And the daughter of Zion is left, as a booth in a vineyard, as a night-lodge in a cucumber-garden, as a besieged city. 9 Unless Jehovah of hosts had left us a very small residue, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

10 Hear the word of Jehovah, rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, people of Gomorrah! 11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith Jehovah. I am sated with burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and in the blood of bullocks, and of lambs, and of he-goats I take no pleasure. 12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this from your hand—to tread my courts? 13 Bring no more vain oblations! Incense is an abomination unto me, —new moon and sabbath, the calling of convocations—wickedness and the solemn meeting I cannot bear. 14 Your new moons and your set feasts my soul hateth: they are a burden to me; I am wearied of bearing them. 15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; —cease to do evil, 17 learn to do well: seek judgment, gladden the oppressed, do justice to the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and hearken, ye shall eat the good of the land; 20 but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken.

21 How is the faithful city become a harlot! It was full of judgment; righteousness used to lodge in it, but now murderers. 22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine is mixed with water: 23 thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth presents, and hunteth after rewards; they judge not the fatherless, and the cause of the widow cometh not unto them. 24 Therefore saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: Ah! I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies. 25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and will thoroughly purge away thy dross, and take away all thine alloy; 26 and I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning. Afterwards thou shalt be called, Town of righteousness, Faithful city. 27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and they that return of her with righteousness. 28 But the ruin of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together; and they that forsake Jehovah shall be consumed. 29 For they shall be ashamed of the terebinths that ye have desired, and ye shall blush for the gardens that ye have chosen. 30 For ye shall be as a terebinth whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water. 31 And the strong shall be for tow, and his work a spark; and they shall both burn together, and there shall be none to quench them.

1 This is the vision which Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw about Judah and Jerusalem at the time of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. 

2 Listen, heaven, and pay attention, earth! 

The Lord has spoken, 

“I raised ⸤my⸥ children and helped them grow, 

but they have rebelled against me. 

3 Oxen know their owners, 

and donkeys know where their masters feed them. 

But Israel doesn’t know ⸤its owner⸥. 

My people don’t understand ⸤who feeds them⸥. 

4 “How horrible it will be for a nation that sins. 

⸤Its⸥ people are loaded down with guilt. 

They are descendants of evildoers 

and destructive children. 

They have abandoned the Lord. 

They have despised the Holy One of Israel. 

They have turned their backs on him. 

5 “Why do you still want to be beaten? 

Why do you continue to rebel? 

Your whole head is infected. 

Your whole heart is failing. 

6 From the bottom of your feet to the top of your head 

there is no healthy spot left on your ⸤body⸥— 

only bruises, sores, and fresh wounds. 

They haven’t been cleansed, bandaged, 

or soothed with oil. 

7 “Your country is devastated. 

Your cities are burned down. 

Your fields are destroyed right before your eyes by foreigners. 

Your fields are devastated and taken over by foreigners. 

8 My people Zion are left like a hut in a vineyard, 

like a shack in a cucumber field, 

like a city under attack.” 

9 If the Lord of Armies hadn’t left us a few survivors, 

we would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah. 

10 Listen to the Lord’s word, you rulers of Sodom! 

Pay attention to the teachings from our God, you people of Gomorrah! 

11 The Lord asks, “What do your many animal sacrifices mean to me? 

I’ve had enough of your burnt offerings of rams 

and enough fat from your fattened calves. 

I’m not pleased with the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats. 

12 When you appear in my presence, 

who asked you to trample on my courtyards? 

13 Don’t bring any more worthless grain offerings. 

Your incense is disgusting to me, 

so are your New Moon Festivals, your days of rest—a holy days, 

and the assemblies you call. 

I can’t stand your evil assemblies. 

14 I hate your New Moon Festivals and your appointed festivals. 

They’ve become a burden to me, 

and I’m tired of putting up with them. 

15 So when you stretch out your hands ⸤in prayer⸥, 

I will turn my eyes away from you. 

Even though you offer many prayers, 

I will not listen because your hands are covered with blood. 

16 “Wash yourselves! Become clean! 

Get your evil deeds out of my sight. 

Stop doing evil. 

17 Learn to do good. 

Seek justice. 

Arrest oppressors. 

Defend orphans. 

Plead the case of widows.” 

18 “Come on now, let’s discuss this!” says the Lord. 

“Though your sins are bright red, 

they will become as white as snow. 

Though they are dark red, 

they will become as white as wool. 

19 If you are willing and obedient, 

you will eat the best from the land. 

20 But if you refuse and rebel, 

you will be destroyed by swords.” 

The Lord has spoken. 

21 How the faithful town has become a prostitute! 

She was full of justice, 

and righteousness lived in her. 

But now murderers live there! 

22 Your silver is not pure. 

Your wine is watered down. 

23 Your rulers are rebels, friends with thieves. 

They all love bribes and run after gifts. 

They never defend orphans. 

They don’t notice the widows’ pleas. 

24 That’s why the Lord, the Lord of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says, 

“How horrible it will be when I take revenge on my opponents! 

I will avenge myself against my enemies. 

25 I will turn my power against you. 

I will remove your impurities with bleach. 

I will get rid of all your impurities. 

26 I will give you judges like you had long ago, 

advisers like you had in the beginning. 

After that you will be called the Righteous City, 

the Faithful Town.” 

27 Zion will be pardoned by ⸤the Lord’s⸥ justice, 

and those who return will be pardoned 

by ⸤the Lord’s⸥ righteousness. 

28 Rebels and sinners will be crushed at the same time, 

and those who abandon the Lord will come to an end. 

29 You will be ashamed of the oaks that you wanted to worship 

and embarrassed by the garden that you have chosen for your gods. 

30 You will be like an oak whose leaves wither 

and like a garden without water. 

31 Strong people will become tinder for a fire, 

and their work will be the spark. 

Both of them will burn together, 

and there will be no one to put out the fire. 

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

2 Listen, heavens, and pay attention, earth,

for the Lord 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 feeding trough,

but Israel does not know;

My people do not understand.”

4 Oh sinful nation,

people weighed down with iniquity,

brood of evildoers,

depraved children!

They have abandoned the Lord;

they have despised the Holy One of Israel;

they have turned their backs on Him.

5 Why do you want more beatings?

Why do you keep on rebelling?

The whole head is hurt,

and the whole heart is sick.

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

no spot is uninjured —

wounds, welts, and festering sores

not cleansed, bandaged,

or soothed with oil.

7 Your land is desolate,

your cities burned with fire;

foreigners devour your fields

before your very eyes—

a desolation demolished by foreigners.

8 Daughter Zion is abandoned

like a shelter in a vineyard,

like a shack in a cucumber field,

like a besieged city.

9 If the Lord of Hosts

had not left us a few survivors,

we would be like Sodom,

we would resemble Gomorrah.

10 Hear the word of the Lord,

you rulers of Sodom!

Listen to the instruction of our God,

you people of Gomorrah!

11 “What are all your sacrifices to Me?”

asks the Lord.

“I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams

and the fat of well-fed cattle;

I have no desire for the blood of bulls,

lambs, or male goats.

12 When you come to appear before Me,

who requires this from you—

this trampling of My courts?

13 Stop bringing useless offerings.

Your incense is detestable to Me.

New Moons and Sabbaths,

and the calling of solemn assemblies —

I cannot stand iniquity with a festival.

14 I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals.

They have become a burden to Me;

I am tired of putting up with them.

15 When you lift up your hands in prayer,

I will refuse to look at you;

even if you offer countless prayers,

I will not listen.

Your hands are covered with blood.

16 “Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves.

Remove your evil deeds from My sight.

Stop doing evil.

17 Learn to do what is good.

Seek justice.

Correct the oppressor.

Defend the rights of the fatherless.

Plead the widow’s cause.

18 “Come, let us discuss this,”

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 be like wool.

19 If you are willing and obedient,

you will eat the good things of the land.

20 But if you refuse and rebel,

you will be devoured by the sword.”

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

21 The faithful city—

what an adulteress she has become!

She was once full of justice.

Righteousness once dwelt in her—

but now, murderers!

22 Your silver has become dross,

your beer is diluted with water.

23 Your rulers are rebels,

friends of thieves.

They all love graft

and chase after bribes.

They do not defend the rights of the fatherless,

and the widow’s case never comes before them.

24 Therefore the Lord God of Hosts,

the Mighty One of Israel, declares:

“Ah, I will gain satisfaction from My foes;

I will take revenge against My enemies.

25 I will turn My hand against you

and will burn away your dross completely;

I will remove all your impurities.

26 I will restore your judges to what they once were,

and your advisers to their former state.

Afterward you will be called the Righteous City,

a Faithful City.”

27 Zion will be redeemed by justice,

her repentant ones by righteousness.

28 But both rebels and sinners will be destroyed,

and those who abandon the Lord will perish.

29 Indeed, they will be ashamed of the sacred trees

you desired,

and you will be embarrassed because of the gardens

you have chosen.

30 For you will become like an oak

whose leaves are withered,

and like a garden without water.

31 The strong one will become tinder,

and his work a spark;

both will burn together,

with no one to quench the flames.

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

2 Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth,

for the Lord has spoken:

I reared children and brought them up,

but they have rebelled against me.

3 The ox knows its owner

and the donkey its master’s crib,

but Israel does not know;

my people do not understand.

4 Woe, sinful nation,

people laden with iniquity,

offspring who do evil,

children who act corruptly,

who have forsaken the Lord,

who have despised the Holy One of Israel,

[[who are utterly estranged!]]

5 Why do you seek further beatings?

Why do you continue to rebel?

The whole head is injured,

and the whole heart faint.

6 From the sole of the foot to the head,

there is no soundness in it,

only bruises and sores

and bleeding wounds;

they have not been drained or bound up

or softened with oil.

7 Your country lies desolate;

your cities are burned with fire;

in your very presence

aliens devour your land;

it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners.

8 And daughter Zion is left

like a booth in a vineyard,

like a shelter in a cucumber field,

like a besieged city.

9 If the Lord of hosts

had not left us a few survivors,

we would have been like Sodom

and become like Gomorrah.

10 Hear the word of the Lord,

you rulers of Sodom!

Listen to the teaching of our God,

you people of Gomorrah!

11 What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?

says the Lord;

I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams

and the fat of fed beasts;

I do not delight in the blood of bulls

or of lambs or of goats.

12 When you come to appear before me,

who asked this from your hand?

Trample my courts no more!

13 Bringing offerings is futile;

incense is an abomination to me.

New moon and Sabbath and calling of convocation—

I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity.

14 Your new moons and your appointed festivals

my soul hates;

they have become a burden to me;

I am weary of bearing them.

15 When you stretch out your hands,

I will hide my eyes from you;

even though you make many prayers,

I will not listen;

your hands are full of blood.

16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;

remove your evil deeds

from before my eyes;

cease to do evil;

17 learn to do good;

seek justice;

rescue the oppressed;

defend the orphan;

plead for the widow.

18 Come now, let us argue it out,

says the Lord:

If your sins are like scarlet,

will they become like snow?

If they are red like crimson,

will they become like wool?

19 If you are willing and obedient,

you shall eat the good of the land,

20 but if you refuse and rebel,

you shall be devoured by the sword,

for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

21 How the faithful city

has become a prostitute!

She that was full of justice,

righteousness lodged in her—

but now murderers!

22 Your silver has become dross;

your wine is mixed with water.

23 Your princes are rebels

and companions of thieves.

Everyone loves a bribe

and runs after gifts.

They do not defend the orphan,

and the widow’s cause does not come before them.

24 Therefore says the Sovereign, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel:

Surely I will pour out my wrath on my enemies

and avenge myself on my foes!

25 I will turn my hand against you;

I will smelt away your dross as with lye

and remove all your alloy.

26 And I will restore your judges as at the first

and your counselors as at the beginning.

Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness,

the faithful city.

27 Zion shall be redeemed by justice,

and those in her who repent, by righteousness.

28 But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together,

and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

29 For you shall be ashamed of the oaks

in which you delighted,

and you shall blush for the gardens

that you have chosen.

30 For you shall be like an oak

whose leaf withers

and like a garden without water.

31 The strong shall become like tinder

and their work like a spark;

they and their work shall burn together,

with no one to quench them.

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

2 Hear, heavens,

and listen, earth,

for Yahweh has spoken:

“I reared children

and I brought them up,

but they rebelled against me.

3 An ox knows its owner

and a donkey the manger of its master.

Israel does not know;

my people do not understand.

4 Ah, sinful nation,

a people heavy with iniquity,

offspring of evildoers,

children who deal corruptly.

They have forsaken Yahweh;

they have despised the holy one of Israel.

They are estranged and gone backward.

5 Why do you want to be beaten again?

You continue in rebellion.

The whole of the head is sick,

and the whole of the heart is faint.

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

there is no health in it;

bruise and sore and bleeding wound have not been cleansed,

and they have not been bound up

and not softened with the oil.

7 Your country is desolate,

your cities are burned with fire;

As for your land, aliens are devouring it in your presence,

and it is desolate, like devastation by foreigners.

8 And the daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard,

like a shelter in a cucumber field,

like a city that is besieged.

9 If Yahweh of hosts had not left us survivors,

we would have been as few as Sodom,

we would have become like Gomorrah.

10 Hear the word of Yahweh, rulers of Sodom!

Listen to the teaching of our God, people of Gomorrah!

11 What is the abundance of your sacrifices to me? says Yahweh.

I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams

and the fat of fattened animals

and I do not delight in the blood of bulls

and ram-lambs and goats.

12 When you come to appear before me,

who asked for this from your hand:

you trampling my courts?

13 You must not continue to bring offerings of futility,

incense—it is an abomination to me;

new moon and Sabbath, the calling of a convocation—

I cannot endure iniquity with solemn assembly.

14 Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates;

they have become to me like a burden,

I am not able to bear them.

15 And when you stretch out your hands,

I will hide my eyes from you;

even though you make many prayers,

I will not be listening.

Your hands are full of blood. 16 Wash! Make yourselves clean!

Remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes!

Cease to do evil! 17 Learn to do good!

Seek justice! Rescue the oppressed!

Defend the orphan! Plead for the widow!

18 “Come now, and let us argue,” says Yahweh.

“Even though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white like snow;

even though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

19 If you are willing and you are obedient,

you shall eat the good of the land.

20 But if you refuse and you rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword.

For the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.”

21 How has a faithful city become like a whore?

Full of justice, righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.

22 Your silver has become as dross;

Your wine is diluted with waters.

23 Your princes are rebels

and companions of thieves.

Every one loves a bribe

and runs after gifts.

They do not defend the orphan

and the legal dispute of the widow does not come before them.

24 Therefore, the declaration of the Lord Yahweh of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel:

“Ah, I will be relieved of my enemies,

and I will avenge myself on my foes.

25 And I will turn my hand against you;

I will purify your dross like lye,

and I will remove all of your tin.

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

and your counselors, as at the beginning.

After this you will be called the city of righteousness,

faithful city.

27 Zion will be redeemed by justice,

and those of her who repent, by righteousness.

28 But the destruction of rebels and sinners shall be together,

and those who forsake Yahweh will perish.

29 For you will be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted,

and you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen.

30 For you shall be like an oak withering its leaves,

and like a garden where there is no water for her.

31 And the strong man shall become like tinder,

and his work like a spark.

And both of them shall burn together,

and there is not one to quench them.”

1 Here is the vision about Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah had. It came to him when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah were ruling. They were kings of Judah. Isaiah was the son of Amoz.

2 Listen to me, heavens! Pay attention to me, earth!

The Lord has said,

“I raised children. I brought them up.

But they have refused to obey me.

3 The ox knows its master.

The donkey knows where its owner feeds it.

But Israel does not know me.

My people do not understand me.”

4 They are a sinful nation.

They are loaded down with guilt.

They are people who do nothing but evil.

They are children who are always sinning.

They have deserted the Lord.

They have turned against the Holy One of Israel.

They have turned their backs on him.

5 Israel, why do you want to be beaten all the time?

Why do you always refuse to obey the Lord?

Your head is covered with wounds.

Your whole heart is weak.

6 There isn’t a healthy spot on your body

from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head.

There are only wounds, cuts

and open sores.

They haven’t been cleaned up or bandaged

or treated with olive oil.

7 Your country has been deserted.

Your cities have been burned down.

The food from your fields is being eaten up by outsiders.

They are doing it right in front of you.

Your land has been completely destroyed.

It looks as if strangers have taken it over.

8 The city of Zion is left like a hut

where someone stands guard in a vineyard.

It is left like an empty cabin in a melon field.

It’s like a city that is being attacked.

9 The Lord who rules over all

has let some people live through that time of trouble.

If he hadn’t, we would have become like Sodom.

We would have been like Gomorrah.

10 Rulers of Sodom,

hear the Lord’s message.

People of Gomorrah,

listen to the law of our God.

11 “Do you think I need any more of your sacrifices?”

asks the Lord.

“I have more than enough of your burnt offerings.

I have more than enough of rams

and the fat of your fattest animals.

I do not find any pleasure

in the blood of your bulls, lambs and goats.

12 Who asked you to bring all of those animals

when you come to worship me?

Who asked you and your animals

to walk all over my courtyards?

13 Stop bringing offerings that do not mean anything to me!

I hate your incense.

I can’t stand your evil gatherings.

I can’t stand the way you celebrate your New Moon Feasts,

Sabbath days and special services.

14 I hate your New Moon Feasts

and your other appointed feasts.

They have become a heavy load to me.

I am tired of carrying it.

15 You might spread out your hands toward me when you pray.

But I will not look at you.

You might even offer many prayers.

But I will not listen to them.

Your hands are covered with the blood of the people you have murdered.

16 So wash your hands. Make yourselves clean.

Get your evil actions out of my sight!

Stop doing what is wrong!

17 Learn to do what is right!

Treat people fairly.

Give hope to those who are beaten down.

Cheer them up.

Stand up in court for children whose fathers have died.

And do the same thing for widows.

18 “Come. Let us talk some more about this matter,”

says the Lord.

“Even though your sins are bright red,

they will be as white as snow.

Even though they are deep red,

they will be white like wool.

19 But you have to be willing to change and obey me.

If you are, you will eat the best food that grows on the land.

20 You must follow me. You must obey me.

If you do not, you will be killed with swords.”

The Lord has spoken.

21 See how the faithful city of Jerusalem

has become like a prostitute!

Once it was full of people who treated others fairly.

Those who did what was right used to live in it.

But now murderers live there!

22 Jerusalem, your silver isn’t pure anymore.

Your best wine has been made weak with water.

23 Your rulers refuse to obey the Lord.

They are companions of robbers.

All of them love to accept money from those who want special favors.

They are always looking for gifts from other people.

They don’t stand up in court for children whose fathers have died.

They don’t do it for widows either.

24 The Lord is the Mighty One of Israel.

The Lord who rules over all announces,

“Israel, you have become my enemies.

I will pay you back for what you have done.

Then you will not trouble me anymore.

25 I will turn my powerful hand against you.

I will make you completely clean.

I will remove everything that is not pure.

26 I will give judges to you like the ones you had long ago.

I will give you advisers like those you had at the beginning.

Then you will be called

The City That Does What Is Right.

You will also be called The Faithful City.”

27 Zion will be saved when others are treated fairly.

Those who are sorry for their sins will be saved

when what is right is done.

28 But sinners and those who refuse to obey the Lord will be destroyed.

And those who desert the Lord will die.

29 Israel, you take delight in worshiping among the sacred oak trees.

You will be full of shame for doing that.

You have chosen to worship in the sacred gardens.

You will be dishonored for doing that.

30 You will be like an oak tree whose leaves are dying.

You will be like a garden that doesn’t have any water.

31 Your strongest men will become like dry pieces of wood.

Their worship of other gods will be the spark that lights the fire.

Everything will be burned up.

No one will be there to put the fire out.

1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

2 Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth;

For the Lord speaks,

“Sons I have reared and brought up,

But they have revolted against Me.

3 “An ox knows its owner,

And a donkey its master’s manger,

But Israel does not know,

My people do not understand.”

4 Alas, sinful nation,

People weighed down with iniquity,

Offspring of evildoers,

Sons who act corruptly!

They have abandoned the Lord,

They have despised the Holy One of Israel,

They have turned away from Him.

5 Where will you be stricken again,

As you continue in your rebellion?

The whole head is sick

And the whole heart is faint.

6 From the sole of the foot even to the head

There is nothing sound in it,

Only bruises, welts and raw wounds,

Not pressed out or bandaged,

Nor softened with oil.

7 Your land is desolate,

Your cities are burned with fire,

Your fields—strangers are devouring them in your presence;

It is desolation, as overthrown by strangers.

8 The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard,

Like a watchman’s hut in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

9 Unless the Lord of hosts

Had left us a few survivors,

We would be like Sodom,

We would be like Gomorrah.

10 Hear the word of the Lord,

You rulers of Sodom;

Give ear to the instruction of our God,

You people of Gomorrah.

11 “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?”

Says the Lord.

“I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams

And the fat of fed cattle;

And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.

12 “When you come to appear before Me,

Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?

13 “Bring your worthless offerings no longer,

Incense is an abomination to Me.

New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies—

I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.

14 “I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts,

They have become a burden to Me;

I am weary of bearing them.

15 “So when you spread out your hands in prayer,

I will hide My eyes from you;

Yes, even though you multiply prayers,

I will not listen.

Your hands are covered with blood.

16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;

Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight.

Cease to do evil,

17 Learn to do good;

Seek justice,

Reprove the ruthless,

Defend the orphan,

Plead for the widow.

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

Says the Lord,

“Though your sins are as scarlet,

They will be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson,

They will be like wool.

19 “If you consent and obey,

You will eat the best of the land;

20 “But if you refuse and rebel,

You will be devoured by the sword.”

Truly, the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

21 How the faithful city has become a harlot,

She who was full of justice!

Righteousness once lodged in her,

But now murderers.

22 Your silver has become dross,

Your drink diluted with water.

23 Your rulers are rebels

And companions of thieves;

Everyone loves a bribe

And chases after rewards.

They do not defend the orphan,

Nor does the widow’s plea come before them.

24 Therefore the Lord God of hosts,

The Mighty One of Israel, declares,

“Ah, I will be relieved of My adversaries

And avenge Myself on My foes.

25 “I will also turn My hand against you,

And will smelt away your dross as with lye

And will remove all your alloy.

26 “Then I will restore your judges as at the first,

And your counselors as at the beginning;

After that you will be called the city of righteousness,

A faithful city.”

27 Zion will be redeemed with justice

And her repentant ones with righteousness.

28 But transgressors and sinners will be crushed together,

And those who forsake the Lord will come to an end.

29 Surely you will be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired,

And you will be embarrassed at the gardens which you have chosen.

30 For you will be like an oak whose leaf fades away

Or as a garden that has no water.

31 The strong man will become tinder,

His work also a spark.

Thus they shall both burn together

And there will be none to quench them.