Dual Panel1Here is the message <02377> about Judah <03063> and Jerusalem <03389> that <0834> was revealed <02372> to Isaiah <03470> son <01121> of Amoz <0531> during the time <03117> when Uzziah <05818>, Jotham <03147>, Ahaz <0271>, and Hezekiah <02396> reigned over <04428> Judah <03063>.
2Listen <08085>, O heavens <08064>, pay attention <0238>, O earth <0776>! For <03588> the Lord <03068> speaks <01696>: “I raised <01431> children <01121>, I brought <07311> them up <07311>, but they <01992> have rebelled against <06586> me!
3An ox <07794> recognizes <03045> its owner <07069>, a donkey <02543> recognizes where its owner <01167> puts its food <018>; but Israel <03478> does not <03808> recognize <03045> me, my people <05971> do not <03808> understand <0995>.”
4The sinful <01945> nation <01471> is as good <02398> as dead, the people <05971> weighed down <03515> by evil deeds <05771>. They are offspring <02233> who do wrong <07489>, children <01121> who do wicked <07843> things. They have abandoned <05800> the <0853> Lord <03068>, and rejected <05006> the <0853> Holy One <06918> of Israel <03478>. They are alienated <0268> <02114> from him.
5Why <04100> do you insist on <05921> being battered <05221>? Why do you continue <03254> to rebel <05627>? Your head <07218> has a massive wound <02483>, your whole <03605> body <03824> is weak <01742>.
6From <05704> the soles <03709> of your feet <07272> to <05704> your head <07218>, there is no <0369> spot that is unharmed <04974>. There are only bruises <06482>, cuts <02250>, and open <02961> wounds <04347>. They have not <03808> been cleansed <02115> or <03808> bandaged <02280>, nor <03808> have they been treated <07401> with olive oil <08081>.
7Your land <0776> is devastated <08077>, your cities <05892> burned <08313> with fire <0784>. Right before <05048> your eyes your crops <0127> are being destroyed <0398> by foreign invaders <02114>. They leave behind devastation <08077> and destruction <04114>.
8Daughter <01323> Zion <06726> is left <03498> isolated, like a hut <05521> in a vineyard <03754>, or a shelter <04412> in a cucumber field <04750>; she is a besieged <05341> city <05892>.
9If <03884> the Lord <03068> who commands armies <06635> had not left <03498> us a few <04592> survivors <08300>, we would have quickly become <01961> like Sodom <05467>, we would have become like <01819> Gomorrah <06017>.
10Listen <08085> to the Lord’s <03069> word <01697>, you leaders <07101> of Sodom <05467>! Pay attention <0238> to our God’s <0430> rebuke <08451>, people <05971> of Gomorrah <06017>!
11“Of what <04100> importance to me are your many <07230> sacrifices <02077>?” says <0559> the Lord <03068>. “I am stuffed <07646> with burnt sacrifices <05930> of rams <0352> and the fat <02459> from steers <04806>. The blood <01818> of bulls <06499>, lambs <03532>, and goats <06260> I do not <03808> want <02654>.
12When <03588> you enter <0935> my presence <06440>, do you actually think I want <01245> this <02063>– animals trampling on <07429> my courtyards <02691>?
13Do not <03808> bring <0935> any more <03254> meaningless offerings <04503>; I consider <07723> your incense <07004> detestable <08441>! You observe new moon <02320> festivals, Sabbaths <07676>, and convocations <04744>, but I cannot <03201> <03808> tolerate sin-stained <0205> celebrations <06116>!
14I <05315> hate <08130> your new moon <02320> festivals and assemblies <04150>; they are <01961> a burden <02960> that I am tired <03811> of carrying <05375>.
15When you spread out <06566> your hands <03709> in prayer, I look the other way <05956>; when <03588> you offer <07235> your many <07235> prayers <08605>, I do not <0369> listen <08085>, because your hands <03027> are covered <04390> with blood <01818>.
16Wash <07364>! Cleanse <02135> yourselves! Remove <05493> your sinful <07455> deeds <04611> from <05048> my sight <05869>. Stop <02308> sinning <07489>!
17Learn <03925> to do what is right <03190>! Promote <01875> justice <04941>! Give <0833> the oppressed <02541> reason to celebrate <0833>! Take up the cause <08199> of the orphan <03490>! Defend <07378> the rights of the widow <0490>!
18Come <01980>, let’s consider <03198> your options,” says <0559> the Lord <03068>. “Though <0518> your sins <02399> have stained <01961> you like the color red <08144>, you can become white <03835> like snow <07950>; though <0518> they are as easy to see as the color <0119> scarlet <08438>, you can become <01961> white like wool <06785>.
19If <0518> you have a willing <014> attitude and obey <08085>, then you will again eat <0398> the good crops <02898> of the land <0776>.
20But if <0518> you refuse <03985> and rebel <04784>, you will be devoured <0398> by the sword <02719>.” Know for <03588> certain <06310> that the Lord <03068> has spoken <01696>.
21How <0349> tragic that the once-faithful <0539> city <07151> has become <01961> a prostitute <02181>! She was once a center <04395> of justice <04941>, fairness <06664> resided <03885> in her, but now <06258> only murderers <07523>.
22Your silver <03701> has become <01961> scum <05509>, your beer <05435> is diluted <04107> with water <04325>.
23Your officials <08269> are rebels <05637>, they associate <02270> with thieves <01590>. All <03605> of them love <0157> bribery <07810>, and look for <07291> payoffs <08021>. They do not <03808> take up <08199> the cause <07379> of the orphan <03490>, or <03808> defend <0935> the rights of <0413> the widow <0490>.
24Therefore <03651>, the sovereign <0113> Lord <03068> who commands armies <06635>, the powerful ruler <046> of Israel <03478>, says <05002> this: “Ah <01945>, I will seek vengeance <05162> against my adversaries <06862>, I will take revenge <05358> against my enemies <0341>.
25I will attack <05921> <03027> <07725> you; I will purify <06884> your metal <0913> with flux <01252>. I will remove <05493> all <03605> your slag <05509>.
26I will reestablish <07725> honest judges <08199> as in former <07223> times, wise advisers <03289> as in earlier <08462> days. Then <03651> you will be called <07121>, ‘The Just <06664> City <05892>, Faithful <0539> Town <07151>.’”
27Zion <06726> will be freed <06299> by justice <04941>, and her returnees <07725> by righteousness <06666>.
28All <03162> rebellious <06586> sinners <02400> will be shattered <07667>, those who abandon <05800> the Lord <03068> will perish <03615>.
29Indeed <03588>, they will be ashamed <0954> of the sacred trees <0352> you find so desirable <02530>; you will be embarrassed <02659> because of the sacred orchards <01593> where <0834> you choose <0977> to worship.
30For <03588> you will be <01961> like a tree <0424> whose leaves <05929> wither <05034>, like an orchard <01593> that <0834> is unwatered <0369> <04325>.
31The powerful <02634> will be <01961> like a thread <05296> of yarn, their deeds <06467> like a spark <05213>; both <08147> will burn <01197> together <03162>, and no <0369> one will put out the fire <03518>.