[1] The 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.
[2] Hear, heavens, and listen, earth; for the LORD has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children and they have rebelled against me.
[3] The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master’s crib; but Israel doesn’t know. My people don’t consider.”
[4] Ah sinful nation, a people loaded with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD. They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They are estranged and backward.
[5] Why should you be beaten more, that you revolt more and more? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
[6] From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness in it: wounds, welts, and open sores. They haven’t been closed, bandaged, or soothed with oil.
[7] Your country is desolate. Your cities are burned with fire. Strangers devour your land in your presence and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
[8] The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a field of melons, like a besieged city.
[9] Unless the LORD of Hosts had left to us a very small remnant, we would have been as Sodom. We would have been like Gomorrah.
[10] Hear the LORD’s word, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
[11] “What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me?”, says the LORD. “I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed animals. I don’t delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of male goats.
[12] When you come to appear before me, who has required this at your hand, to trample my courts?
[13] Bring no more vain offerings. Incense is an abomination to me. New moons, Sabbaths, and convocations: I can’t stand evil assemblies.
[14] My soul hates your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They are a burden to me. I am weary of bearing them.
[15] When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you. Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
[16] Wash yourselves. Make yourself clean. Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil.
[17] Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Defend the fatherless. Plead for the widow.”
[18] “Come now, and let’s reason together,” says the LORD: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
[19] If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land;
[20] but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken it.”
[21] How the faithful city has become a prostitute! She was full of justice. Righteousness lodged in her, but now there are murderers.
[22] Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water.
[23] Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes and follows after rewards. They don’t defend the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.
[24] Therefore the Lord, GOD of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, says: “Ah, I will get relief from my adversaries, and avenge myself on my enemies.
[25] I will turn my hand on you, thoroughly purge away your dross, and will take away all your tin.
[26] I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called ‘The city of righteousness, a faithful town.’
[27] Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness.
[28] But the destruction of transgressors and sinners shall be together, and those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
[29] For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, and you shall be confounded for the gardens that you have chosen.
[30] For you shall be as an oak whose leaf fades, and as a garden that has no water.
[31] The strong will be like tinder, and his work like a spark. They will both burn together, and no one will quench them.”