| 1:1 | Here is the message about Judah and Jerusalem* that was revealed to Isaiah son of Amoz during the time when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah reigned over Judah.* |
| 1:2 | Listen, O heavens, pay attention, O earth!* For the Lord speaks: “I raised children,* I brought them up,* but* they have rebelled* against me! |
| 1:3 | An ox recognizes its owner, a donkey recognizes where its owner puts its food;* but Israel does not recognize me,* my people do not understand.” |
| 1:4 | *The sinful nation is as good as dead,* the people weighed down by evil deeds. They are offspring who do wrong, children* who do wicked things. They have abandoned the Lord, and rejected the Holy One of Israel.* They are alienated from him.* |
| 1:5 | *Why do you insist on being battered? Why do you continue to rebel?* Your head has a massive wound,* your whole body is weak.* |
| 1:6 | From the soles of your feet to your head, there is no spot that is unharmed.* There are only bruises, cuts, and open wounds. They have not been cleansed* or bandaged, nor have they been treated* with olive oil.* |
| 1:7 | Your land is devastated, your cities burned with fire. Right before your eyes your crops are being destroyed by foreign invaders.* They leave behind devastation and destruction.* |
| 1:8 | Daughter Zion* is left isolated, like a hut in a vineyard, or a shelter in a cucumber field; she is a besieged city.* |
| 1:9 | If the Lord who commands armies* had not left us a few survivors, we would have quickly become like Sodom,* we would have become like Gomorrah. |
| 1:10 | Listen to the Lord’s word, you leaders of Sodom!* Pay attention to our God’s rebuke,* people of Gomorrah! |
| 1:11 | “Of what importance to me are your many sacrifices?”* says the Lord. “I am stuffed with* burnt sacrifices of rams and the fat from steers. The blood of bulls, lambs, and goats I do not want.* |
| 1:12 | When you enter my presence, do you actually think I want this – animals trampling on my courtyards?* |
| 1:13 | Do not bring any more meaningless* offerings; I consider your incense detestable!* You observe new moon festivals, Sabbaths, and convocations, but I cannot tolerate sin-stained celebrations!* |
| 1:14 | I hate your new moon festivals and assemblies; they are a burden that I am tired of carrying. |
| 1:15 | When you spread out your hands in prayer, I look the other way;* when you offer your many prayers, I do not listen, because your hands are covered with blood.* |
| 1:16 | *Wash! Cleanse yourselves! Remove your sinful deeds* from my sight. Stop sinning! |
| 1:17 | Learn to do what is right! Promote justice! Give the oppressed reason to celebrate!* Take up the cause of the orphan! Defend the rights of the widow!* |
| 1:18 | *Come, let’s consider your options,”* says the Lord. “Though your sins have stained you like the color red, you can become* white like snow; though they are as easy to see as the color scarlet, you can become* white like wool.* |
| 1:19 | If you have a willing attitude and obey,* then you will again eat the good crops of the land. |
| 1:20 | But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured* by the sword.” Know for certain that the Lord has spoken.* |
| 1:21 | How tragic that the once-faithful city has become a prostitute!* She was once a center of* justice, fairness resided in her, but now only murderers.* |
| 1:22 | Your* silver has become scum,* your beer is diluted with water.* |
| 1:23 | Your officials are rebels,* they associate with* thieves. All of them love bribery, and look for* payoffs.* They do not take up the cause of the orphan,* or defend the rights of the widow.* |
| 1:24 | Therefore, the sovereign Lord who commands armies,* the powerful ruler of Israel,* says this: “Ah, I will seek vengeance* against my adversaries, I will take revenge against my enemies.* |
| 1:25 | I will attack you;* I will purify your metal with flux.* I will remove all your slag.* |
| 1:26 | I will reestablish honest judges as in former times, wise advisers as in earlier days.* Then you will be called, ‘The Just City, Faithful Town.’” |
| 1:27 | *Zion will be freed by justice,* and her returnees by righteousness.* |
| 1:28 | All rebellious sinners will be shattered,* those who abandon the Lord will perish. |
| 1:29 | Indeed, they* will be ashamed of the sacred trees you* find so desirable; you will be embarrassed because of the sacred orchards* where you choose to worship. |
| 1:30 | For you will be like a tree whose leaves wither, like an orchard* that is unwatered. |
| 1:31 | The powerful will be like* a thread of yarn, their deeds like a spark; both will burn together, and no one will put out the fire. |
Isaiah 1 - NET Bible [draft]
