Excerpt
Isaiah
1:1 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.
1:2 Hear, heavens, and listen, earth; for Yahweh has spoken: I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. 1:3 The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master's crib; but Israel doesn't know, my people don't consider. 1:4 Ah sinful nation, a people loaded with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken Yahweh. They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They are estranged and backward. 1:5 Why should you be beaten more, that you revolt more and more? 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: wounds, welts, and open sores. They haven't been closed, neither bandaged, neither soothed with oil. 1:7 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. 1:8 The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a field of melons, like a besieged city. 1:9 Unless Yahweh of Armies had left to us a very small remnant, we would have been as Sodom; we would have been like Gomorrah. 1:10 Hear the word of Yahweh, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah! 1:11 "What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me?," says Yahweh. "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. 1:12 When you come to appear before me, who has required this at your hand, to trample my courts? 1:13 Bring no more vain offerings. Incense is an abomination to me; new moons, Sabbaths, and convocations: I can't bear with evil assemblies. 1:14 My soul hates your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They are 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. Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. 1:16 Wash yourselves, make yourself clean. Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil. 1:17 Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Judge the fatherless. Plead for the widow." 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," says Yahweh: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as 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 with the sword; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it." 1:21 How the faithful city has become a prostitute! She 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 rebellious, and companions of thieves....