A Sinful Nation

11 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem , which he saw during the [1]reigns of Uzziah , Jotham , Ahaz and Hezekiah , kings of Judah .

2 Listen , O heavens , and hear , O earth ; For the Lord speaks , " Sons I have reared and brought up, But they have revolted against Me. 3 "An ox knows its owner , And a donkey its master's manger , But Israel does not know , My people do not understand ." 4 Alas , sinful nation , People weighed down with iniquity , [2] Offspring of evildoers , Sons who act corruptly ! They have abandoned the Lord , They have despised the Holy One of Israel , They have turned away [3]from Him. 5 Where e will you be stricken again , As you continue in your rebellion ? The whole head is sick And the whole heart is faint . 6 From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing sound in it, Only bruises , welts and raw wounds , Not pressed out or bandaged , Nor softened with oil . 7 Your land is desolate , Your cities are burned with fire , Your fields -strangers are devouring them in your presence ; It is desolation , as overthrown by strangers . 8 The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard , Like a watchman's hut in a cucumber field , like a besieged city . 9 Unless the Lord of hosts Had left us a few survivors , We would be like Sodom , We would be like Gomorrah .

A Call to True Repentance

10 Hear the word of the Lord , You rulers of Sodom ; Give ear to the instruction of our God , You people of Gomorrah . 11 " What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?" Says the Lord . "I [4]have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle ; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls , lambs or goats . 12 "When you come to appear before Me, Who requires [5]of you this trampling of My courts ? 13 "Bring your worthless offerings no longer , Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath , the calling of assemblies - I cannot e endure iniquity and the solemn assembly . 14 "I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts , They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 "So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes , even though you multiply prayers , I will not listen . Your hands are [6]covered with blood .

16 " Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean ; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight e . Cease to do evil , 17 Learn to do good ; Seek justice , Reprove the ruthless , [7] Defend the orphan , Plead for the widow . 18 "Come now , and let us reason together," Says the Lord , " Though your sins are as scarlet , They will be as white as snow ; Though they are red like crimson , They will be like wool . 19 " If you consent and obey , You will eat the best of the land ; 20 "But if you refuse and rebel , You will be devoured by the sword ." Truly , the mouth of the Lord has spoken .

The Judgment and Redemption of Zion

21 How the faithful city has become a harlot , She who was full of justice ! Righteousness once lodged in her, But now murderers . 22 Your silver has become dross , Your drink diluted with water . 23 Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves ; Everyone loves a bribe And chases after rewards . They do not [8]defend the [9]orphan , Nor does the widow's plea come before them. 24 Therefore the Lord [10]GOD of hosts , The Mighty One of Israel , declares , "Ah , I will be relieved of My adversaries And avenge Myself on My foes . 25 "I will also turn My hand against you, And will smelt away your dross as with lye And will remove all your alloy . 26 "Then I will restore your judges as at the first , And your counselors as at the beginning ; After that you will be called the city of righteousness , A faithful city ." 27 Zion will be redeemed with justice And her [11]repentant ones with righteousness . 28 But [12]transgressors and sinners will be crushed together , And those who forsake the Lord will come to an end . 29 Surely [13]you will be ashamed of the [14] oaks which you have desired , And you will be embarrassed at the gardens which you have chosen . 30 For you will be like an [15]oak whose leaf fades away Or as a garden that has no water . 31 The strong man will become tinder , His work also a spark . Thus they shall both burn together And there will be none to quench them.