1 The vision ⓘ concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah ⓙ son of Amoz saw during the reigns [1] [2] of Kings Uzziah, ⓚ Jotham, ⓛ Ahaz, ⓜ and Hezekiah ⓝ of Judah. ⓐ
2 Listen, heavens, and pay attention, earth, ⓑ for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children [3] 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 down; ⓛ foreigners devour your fields right in front of you — a desolation, like a place demolished 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 Armies ⓝ 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. ⓕ Your incense is detestable to me. 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 spread out 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. Pursue justice. ⓐ Correct the oppressor. [4] Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.
18 “Come, let us settle this,” ⓑ says the LORD. “Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; ⓒ though they are crimson red, 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 town — what an adulteress [5] she has become! She was once full of justice. Righteousness once dwelt in her, but now, murderers!
22 Your silver has become dross to be discarded, your beer [6] 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 Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will get even with my foes; I will take revenge against my enemies. ⓙ
25 I will turn my hand against you ⓚ and will burn away your dross completely; [7] I will remove all your impurities. ⓛ
26 I will restore your judges ⓜ to what they were at first, [8] and your advisers to what they were at the start. [9] Afterward you will be called the Righteous City, ⓝ a Faithful Town.”
27 Zion will be redeemed by justice, those who repent, by righteousness. ⓐ
28 At the same time both rebels and sinners will be broken, and those who abandon the LORD will perish.
29 Indeed, they [10] will be ashamed of the sacred trees you desired, ⓑ and you will be embarrassed because of the garden shrines 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 extinguish the flames. ⓕ