Isaiah 1

1The vision that Isaiah son of Amoz beheld regarding Judah and Jerusalem during the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

2Hear, heavens, and give ear, earth, for Yahweh has spoken: I reared and exalted children, yet they rebelled against me.

3The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's manger; Israel does not know, my people do not consider.

4Ah, sinful nation, people burdened with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who corrupt! They have forsaken Yahweh, spurned the Holy One of Israel, and turned away backward.

5Why are you beaten further? You increase rebellion. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

6From the sole of the foot to the head there is no soundness in it: wounds, welts, and raw stripes, not pressed shut nor bandaged nor softened with oil.

7Your land lies desolate, your cities burned with fire; strangers devour your ground right before you, and it is a desolation, overthrown by foreigners.

8Daughter of Zion remains like a shelter in a vineyard, like a lodge in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

9Unless Yahweh of hosts had left us a little remnant, we would have been like Sodom; we would have been like Gomorrah.

10Hear Yahweh's word, you rulers of Sodom; listen to our God's law, you people of Gomorrah.

11What is the abundance of your sacrifices to me? says Yahweh. I have had my fill of burnt offerings of rams, fat of fatted beasts, and the blood of bulls, lambs, and male goats; I take no delight in them.

12When you come to appear before me, who has required this of you, to trample my courts?

13Do not continue bringing worthless offerings; incense is an abomination to me—new moons and Sabbaths, the calling of assembly; I cannot endure evil and solemn assembly.

14My soul abhors your new moon festivals and your sacred assemblies; they have become a burden to me—I am weary of carrying them.

15When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even when you multiply prayer, I am not listening—your hands are full of blood.

16Wash yourselves, purify yourselves; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; stop doing evil.

17Learn to do good. Pursue justice. Aid the oppressed. Judge the orphan. Plead the widow's cause.

18Come now, let us plead, says Yahweh: if your sins are like scarlet, they will be white as snow; if they redden like crimson, they will be like wool.

19If you are willing and obey, you will eat the good of the land.

20But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword, for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.

21How has the faithful city become a prostitute? She brimmed with justice; righteousness dwelt in her—but now murderers.

22Your silver has become dross, your wine is mixed with water.

23Your leaders rebel and associate with thieves; everyone loves bribes and pursues rewards. They do not champion the orphan, nor does the widow's case reach them.

24Therefore declares the Lord Yahweh of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: "Ah, I will find relief from my adversaries and take vengeance on my enemies."

25I will turn my hand back upon you, purge your dross purely, and remove all your tin.

26I will restore your judges as formerly and your counselors as at the outset. After that, you will be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.

27Zion will be redeemed through justice, and those returning to her through righteousness.

28Rebels and sinners alike will face destruction, and those who forsake Yahweh will be consumed.

29For they will be put to shame by the oaks you coveted, and you will blush over the gardens you chose.

30For you will be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden that has no water.

31The strong will become like tow, and his work like a spark; both will burn together, and none will quench them.