Isaiah 1

The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know;
my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people burdened with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, corrupt children!
They have forsaken the LORD;
they have despised the Holy One of Israel;
they have turned away. Why should you be struck again?
Will you keep rebelling?
The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot to the head there is no soundness in it, only wounds, bruises, and raw sores, not cleansed or bandaged or softened with oil. Your land is desolate;
your cities are burned with fire.
Strangers devour your land before your eyes;
it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. Daughter Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like a besieged city. If the LORD of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we would have been like Sodom;
we would have resembled Gomorrah. Hear the word of the LORD, rulers of Sodom;
give ear to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah. “What are your many sacrifices to me?”
says the LORD.
“I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened beasts.
I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs, and male goats. When you come to appear before me, who has required this from your hands, this trampling of my courts? Bring no more worthless offerings;
incense is an abomination to me.
New moon, Sabbath, the calling of assemblies—I cannot bear iniquity and solemn gathering. My soul hates your new moons and your appointed feasts;
they have become a burden to me.
I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you.
Even if you multiply prayers, I will not listen;
your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves;
make yourselves clean.
Remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes;
cease to do evil. Learn to do good;
seek justice;
correct the oppressor.
Defend the fatherless;
plead the widow’s cause.” “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow;
though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land. But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword.”
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. How the faithful city has become a prostitute!
She was full of justice;
righteousness dwelt in her, but now murderers. Your silver has become dross;
your wine is diluted with water. Your rulers are rebels and companions of thieves.
Everyone loves a bribe and pursues rewards.
They do not defend the fatherless, and the widow’s cause does not come before them. Therefore the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will get relief from my adversaries and avenge myself on my enemies. I will turn my hand against you and refine away your dross as with lye;
I will remove all your alloy. I will restore your judges as at first and your counselors as at the beginning.
Afterward you will be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and those in her who return, with righteousness. But rebels and sinners shall be broken together, and those who forsake the LORD shall perish. For they will be ashamed of the oaks you desired, and you will be disgraced by the gardens you chose. For you will be like a terebinth whose leaves wither, like a garden with no water. The strong man will become tinder, and his work a spark;
both will burn together, with no one to quench them.

Rights and attribution