1The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem , in the days of Uzziah , Jotham , Ahaz, and Hezekiah , kings of Judah . 2Hear , O heavens , and give ear , O earth ; for Jehovah hath spoken : I have nourished and brought up children , and they have rebelled against me . 3The ox knoweth his owner , and the ass his master ’s crib; but Israel doth not know , my people doth not consider . 4Ah sinful nation , a people laden with iniquity , a seed of evil-doers, children that deal corruptly ! they have forsaken Jehovah , they have despised the Holy One of Israel , they are estranged and gone backward.
The Consequences of Rebellion
5Why will ye be still stricken , that ye revolt more and more ? the whole head is sick , and the whole heart faint . 6From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it ; but wounds , and bruises , and fresh stripes : they have not been closed , neither bound up , neither mollified with oil . 7Your country is desolate ; your cities are burned with fire; your land, strangers devour it in your presence , and it is desolate , as overthrown by strangers . 8And the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard , as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers , as a besieged city . 9Except Jehovah of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant , we should have been as Sodom , we should have been like unto Gomorrah .
Call to Repentance and True Worship
10Hear the word of Jehovah , ye rulers of Sodom ; give ear unto the law of our God , ye people of Gomorrah . 11What unto me is the multitude of your sacrifices ? saith Jehovah : I have had enough of the burnt-offerings of rams , and the fat of fed beasts ; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks , or of lambs , or of he-goats. 12When ye come to appear before me , who hath required this at your hand , to trample my courts ? 13Bring no more vain oblations ; incense is an abomination unto me ; new moon and sabbath , the calling of assemblies ,— I cannot away with iniquity and the solemn meeting . 14Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth ; they are a trouble unto me ; I am weary of bearing them . 15And when ye spread forth your hands , I will hide mine eyes from you ; yea , when ye make many prayers , I will not hear : your hands are full of blood .
The Promise of Redemption
16Wash you , make you clean ; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes ; cease to do evil ; 17learn to do well ; seek justice , relieve the oppressed , judge the fatherless , plead for the widow. 18Come now , and let us reason together , saith Jehovah : though your sins be as scarlet , they shall be as white as snow ; though they be red like crimson , they shall be as wool . 19If ye be willing and obedient , ye shall eat the good of the land: 20but if ye refuse and rebel , ye shall be devoured with the sword ; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it .
Judgment Against the Wicked
21How is the faithful city become a harlot ! she that was full of justice ! righteousness lodged in her , but now murderers . 22Thy silver is become dross , thy wine mixed with water . 23Thy princes are rebellious , and companions of thieves ; every one loveth bribes , and followeth after rewards : they judge not the fatherless , neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them . 24Therefore saith the Lord , Jehovah of hosts , the Mighty One of Israel , Ah , I will ease me of mine adversaries , and avenge me of mine enemies ; 25and I will turn my hand upon thee , and thoroughly purge away thy dross , and will take away all thy tin; 26and I will restore thy judges as at the first , and thy counsellors as at the beginning : afterward thou shalt be called The city of righteousness , a faithful town . 27Zion shall be redeemed with justice , and her converts with righteousness . 28But the destruction of transgressors and sinners shall be together , and they that forsake Jehovah shall be consumed . 29For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired , and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen. 30For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth , and as a garden that hath no water . 31And the strong shall be as tow , and his work as a spark ; and they shall both burn together , and none shall quench them .