1 This is the vision seen by Isaiah the son of Amoz. It is about Judah and Jerusalem at the time of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.
2 Listen, heaven, and pay attention, earth! Jehovah has spoken: »I raised my children and helped them grow, but they have rebelled against me.
3 »The bull knows its owner, and donkey knows where its master feeds it. But Israel does not know. My people do not understand!«
4 Woe to the sinful nation, people heavy with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, sons who are corrupt! They have forsaken Jehovah! They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They have turned away from him.
5 Why do you still want to be beaten? Why do you continue to rebel? Your whole head is infected. Your whole heart is sick.
6 From the bottom of your feet to the top of your head there is no healthy spot left on your body. You have only bruises, sores, and fresh wounds. They have not been cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil.
7 Your country is desolate. Your cities are burned with fire. Foreigners destroy your fields in your presence. Your fields are devastated and taken over by strangers.
8 My people, the daughter of Zion is left like an empty hut in a vineyard. It is like a shack in a cucumber field, like a city under attack.
9 If Jehovah of Hosts had not left us a few survivors, we would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah.
10 Listen to the word of Jehovah, you rulers of Sodom! Pay attention to the Law of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
11 Jehovah says: »What do your many animal sacrifices mean to me? I have had enough of your burnt offerings of rams and enough fat from your fattened calves. I am not pleased with the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats.
12 »Who requires you to trample on my courtyards when you appear in my presence?
13 »Do not bring any more worthless grain offerings. Your incense is disgusting to me! So are your New Moon Festivals, your days of worship, and the assemblies you call. I cannot endure your evil assemblies!
14 »I hate your New Moon Festivals and your appointed festivals. They are a burden to me. I am tired of putting up with them.
15 »When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you. Even though you offer many prayers, I will not listen because your hands are full of blood.
16 »Wash yourselves! Become clean! Get your evil deeds out of my sight. Stop doing evil.
17 »Learn to do good wellright. Seek justice. Correct oppressors. Defend orphans. Plead the case of widows.«
18 »Come now, let us reason together make things rightcorrect matters between us!« Says Jehovah. »Though your sins are like scarlet, they will become as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they will become as white as wool.
19 »If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land.
20 »Refuse and rebel and swords will devour you. Jehovah has spoken.«
21 How the faithful town has become a prostitute! She was full of justice, and righteousness lived in her. But now murderers live there!
22 Your silver is not pure. Your beer is watered down.
23 Your rulers are rebels, friends with thieves. They all love bribes and run after gifts. They never defend orphans. They do not listen to the widows' pleas.
24 That is why Jehovah, Jehovah of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, says: »How horrible it will be when I take revenge on my opponents! I will avenge myself against my enemies.
25 »I will turn my power against you turn the back of my hand upon you. I will remove your impurities with bleach. I will get rid of all your worthless qualities.
26 »I will give you judges like you had long ago, advisers like you had in the beginning. After that you will be called the Righteous City, the Faithful City.«
27 Jehovahs justice will pardon Zion. Those who return will be pardoned by Jehovahs righteousness.
28 Rebels and sinners will be crushed at the same time. Those who abandon Jehovah will come to an end.
29 You will be ashamed of the oaks that you wanted to worship. You will be embarrassed by the garden that you have chosen for your gods.
30 You will be like an oak whose leaves wither and like a garden without water.
31 Strong people will become tinder for a fire. Their work will be the spark. Both of them will burn together. There will be no one to put out the fire.