Isaiah 1:1-20
Isaiah 1.1-20
"I am Isaiah, the son of Amoz. And this is the message that I was
given about Judah and Jerusalem when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and
Hezekiah were the kings of Judah:
A Guilty Nation
The Lord has said, "Listen, heaven and earth! The children I raised
have turned against me. Oxen and donkeys know who owns and feeds them,
but my people won't ever learn." Israel, you are a sinful nation
loaded down with guilt. You are wicked and corrupt and have turned
from the Lord, the holy God of Israel. Why be punished more? Why not
give up your sin? Your head is badly bruised, and you are weak all
over. From your head to your toes there isn't a healthy spot. Bruises,
cuts, and open sores go without care or oil to ease the pain.
A Country in Ruins
Your country lies in ruins; your towns are in ashes. Foreigners and
strangers take and destroy your land while you watch. Enemies surround
Jerusalem, alone like a hut in a vineyard or in a cucumber field. Zion
would have disappeared like Sodom and Gomorrah, if the Lord
All-Powerful had not let a few of its people survive.
Justice, Not Sacrifices
You are no better than the leaders and people of Sodom and Gomorrah!
So listen to the Lord God: "Your sacrifices mean nothing to me. I am
sick of your offerings of rams and choice cattle; I don't like the
blood of bulls or lambs or goats.
"Who asked you to bring all this when you come to worship me? Stay out
of my temple! Your sacrifices are worthless, and incense is
disgusting. I can't stand the evil you do on your New Moon Festivals
or on your Sabbaths and other times of worship. I hate your New Moon
Festivals and all others as well. They are a heavy burden I am tired
of carrying. "No matter how much you pray, I won't listen. You are too
violent. Wash yourselves clean! I am disgusted with your filthy deeds.
Stop doing wrong and learn to live right. See that justice is done.
Defend widows and orphans and help those in need."
An Invitation from the Lord
I, the Lord, invite you to come and talk it over. Your sins are
scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool. If you
willingly obey me, the best crops in the land will be yours. But if
you turn against me, your enemies will kill you. I, the Lord, have
spoken."
God bless you.
"I am Isaiah, the son of Amoz. And this is the message that I was
given about Judah and Jerusalem when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and
Hezekiah were the kings of Judah:
A Guilty Nation
The Lord has said, "Listen, heaven and earth! The children I raised
have turned against me. Oxen and donkeys know who owns and feeds them,
but my people won't ever learn." Israel, you are a sinful nation
loaded down with guilt. You are wicked and corrupt and have turned
from the Lord, the holy God of Israel. Why be punished more? Why not
give up your sin? Your head is badly bruised, and you are weak all
over. From your head to your toes there isn't a healthy spot. Bruises,
cuts, and open sores go without care or oil to ease the pain.
A Country in Ruins
Your country lies in ruins; your towns are in ashes. Foreigners and
strangers take and destroy your land while you watch. Enemies surround
Jerusalem, alone like a hut in a vineyard or in a cucumber field. Zion
would have disappeared like Sodom and Gomorrah, if the Lord
All-Powerful had not let a few of its people survive.
Justice, Not Sacrifices
You are no better than the leaders and people of Sodom and Gomorrah!
So listen to the Lord God: "Your sacrifices mean nothing to me. I am
sick of your offerings of rams and choice cattle; I don't like the
blood of bulls or lambs or goats.
"Who asked you to bring all this when you come to worship me? Stay out
of my temple! Your sacrifices are worthless, and incense is
disgusting. I can't stand the evil you do on your New Moon Festivals
or on your Sabbaths and other times of worship. I hate your New Moon
Festivals and all others as well. They are a heavy burden I am tired
of carrying. "No matter how much you pray, I won't listen. You are too
violent. Wash yourselves clean! I am disgusted with your filthy deeds.
Stop doing wrong and learn to live right. See that justice is done.
Defend widows and orphans and help those in need."
An Invitation from the Lord
I, the Lord, invite you to come and talk it over. Your sins are
scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool. If you
willingly obey me, the best crops in the land will be yours. But if
you turn against me, your enemies will kill you. I, the Lord, have
spoken."
God bless you.
Comments