RSV Isaiah 1 Chapter
1:1
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzzi'ah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezeki'ah, kings of Judah.
1:2
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth;for the LORD has spoken: 'Sons have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.
1:3
The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master's crib;but Israel does not know, my people does not understand.'
1:4
Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, sons who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged.
1:5
Why will you still be smitten, that you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
1:6
From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and bleeding wounds;they are not pressed out, or bound up, or softened with oil.
1:7
Your country lies desolate, your cities are burned with fire;in your very presence aliens devour your land;it is desolate, as overthrown by aliens.
1:8
And the daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a lodge in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.
1:9
If the LORD of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomor'rah.
1:10
Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomor'rah!
1:11
'What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD;I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts;I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of he-goats.
1:12
'When you come to appear before me, who requires of you this trampling of my courts?
1:13
Bring no more vain offerings;incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath and the calling of assemblies -- I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.
1:14
Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates;they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them.
1:15
When you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you;even though you make many prayers, I will not listen;your hands are full of blood.
1:16
Wash yourselves;make yourselves clean;remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes;cease to do evil,
1:17
learn to do good;seek justice, correct oppression;defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.
1:18
'Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
1:19
If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;
1:20
But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword;for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.'
1:21
How the faithful city has become a harlot, she that was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.
1:22
Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water.
1:23
Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Every one loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not defend the fatherless, and the widow's cause does not come to them.
1:24
Therefore the Lord says, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: 'Ah, I will vent my wrath on my enemies, and avenge myself on my foes.
1:25
I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.
1:26
And 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, the faithful city.'
1:27
Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness.
1:28
But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together, and those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
1:29
For you shall be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted;and you shall blush for the gardens which you have chosen.
1:30
For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water.
1:31
And the strong shall become tow, and his work a spark, and both of them shall burn together, with none to quench them.