Isaiah 1:1-31 HCSB
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; before your very eyes foreigners devour your fields--a
desolation overthrown 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. I despise your incense. 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 against 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. Afterwards 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.
Devotionals: Isaiah 1:13-16 When God Turns Away
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