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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. 1:2

A Rebellious Nation

Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth!
For the LORD has spoken:
"I reared children and brought them up,
but they have rebelled against me. 1:3
The ox knows his master,
the donkey his owner's manger,
but Israel does not know,
my people do not understand."
1:4
Ah, sinful nation,
a people loaded with guilt,
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.
1:5
Why should you be beaten anymore?
Why do you persist in rebellion?
Your whole head is injured,
your whole heart afflicted. 1:6
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 oil.
1:7
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. 1:8
The Daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard,
like a hut in a field of melons,
like a city under siege. 1:9
Unless the LORD Almighty had left us some survivors,
we would have become like Sodom,
we would have been like Gomorrah.
1:10
Hear the word of the LORD,
you rulers of Sodom;
listen to the law of our God,
you people of Gomorrah! 1:11
"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. 1:12
When you come to appear before me,
who has asked this of you,
this trampling of my courts? 1:13
Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations-- I cannot bear your evil assemblies. 1:14
Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them. 1:15
When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even if you offer many prayers,
I will not listen.
Your hands are full of blood; 1:16
wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight!
Stop doing wrong, 1:17
learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.
1:18
"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 as crimson,
they shall be like wool. 1:19
If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the best from the land; 1:20
but if you resist and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword."
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
1:21
See how the faithful city has become a harlot!
She once was full of justice;
righteousness used to dwell in her-- but now murderers! 1:22 Your silver has become dross,
your choice wine is diluted with water.
1:23 Your rulers are rebels,
companions of 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.
1:24 Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty,
the Mighty One of Israel, declares:
"Ah, I will get relief from my foes and avenge myself on my enemies. 1:25
I will turn my hand against you;
I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. 1:26
I will restore your judges as in days of old,
your counselors as at the beginning.
Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness,
the Faithful City."
1:27
Zion will be redeemed with justice,
her penitent ones with righteousness. 1:28
But rebels and sinners will both be broken,
and those who forsake the LORD will perish.
1:29
"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. 1:30
You will be like an oak with fading leaves,
like a garden without water. 1:31
The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark;
both will burn together,
with no one to quench the fire."