Isaiah

Thomson(i) 1 A vision which Esaias son of Amos saw, [which he saw respecting Judea and Jerusalem] in the reign of Ozias, and Joatham and Achaz and Hezekias, who reigned over Judea. 2 Hearken, heaven! and hear earth! what the Lord hath spoken. "I have begotten children and brought them up; and they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel did not know me. And this people have not regarded me." 4 Ah! sinful nation; people full of sins! vile race! iniquitous children! you have utterly forsaken the Lord; and provoked to wrath the Holy One of Israel. 5 What! must you persisting in iniquity be smitten still more? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint: 6 from the feet to the head, there is no soundness therein. Is it not, here a wound, there a bruise, there a putrefying sore? there is no applying poultice, nor oil, nor bandages. 7 Your land is a desert: your cities are burnt with fire. As for your country, before your eyes strangers are devouring it; and it is laid waste, being subdued by foreign tribes. 8 Must the daughter of Sion be left as a shed in a vineyard: and as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers; as a city taken by siege? 9 Had not the Lord of Hosts left us a seed, we should have been as Sodom and made like Gomorra. 10 Hear a word of the Lord, chiefs of Sodom! Attend to the law of God, ye people of Gomorra! 11 "What is the multitude of your sacrifices to me?" saith the Lord: I am cloyed with whole burnt offerings of rams: in the fat of lambs and the blood of bulls and goats I have no delight; 12 nor should you come to appear before me: for who hath required these at your hands? You shall no more be admitted to tread my court. 13 Though you bring fine flour; it is a vain incense: it is an abomination to me. Your new moons and sabbaths and great day I cannot endure: 14 your fasting and cessation from labour; and your new moons and your festivals my soul hateth. You are become loathsome to me; I will no longer remit your sins. 15 When you stretch forth your hands, I will turn mine eyes from you: and though you multiply prayer, I will not hearken to you: for your hands are full of blood. 16 Wash and become clean: remove iniquities from your souls; in my presence, cease from your evil deeds; 17 learn to do good; seek judgment; deliver him who is injured; administer justice to the orphan, and plead the cause of the widow: 18 then come: [let our controversy be brought to issue, saith the Lord] and though your sins be as a purple stain; I will make you white as snow; though they be as a stain of scarlet; I will make you white as wool. 19 If you indeed be willing and will hearken to me, you shall eat the good things of the land: 20 but if you refuse and hearken not to me, the sword shall devour you; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken these words." 21 How is the faithful city become a harlot? Sion that was full of justice! In it righteousness made its abode; but now murderers. 22 Your silver is not pure: thy vintners mix the wine with water. 23 The chiefs are rebellious; associates of thieves: they love gifts; they seek rewards: to orphans they do not administer justice; and to the cause of widows they do not attend. 24 Therefore thus saith the sovereign Lord of hosts. "Alas for the rulers of Israel; for my wrath against these adversaries shall not abate. On these enemies of mine I will execute judgment: 25 and I will bring my hand over thee, and purify thee with fire. Them who are disobedient I will destroy; and I will take away from thee all transgressors, 26 and establish thy judges as at the first: and thy counsellors as at the beginning: and after these things thou shalt be called The city of Righteousness, the faithful metropolis, Sion. 27 For in the exercise of judgment her captivity shall be saved: and in the exercise of mercy, 28 the lawless and sinful shall be crushed together; and they who have forsaken the Lord shall be utterly destroyed: 29 for they shall be exposed to shame for the idols on which they doted; as they have been for the gardens which they desired. 30 For they shall be like an ilex, which hath shed its leaves; and like a garden which hath no water: 31 and their strength shall be like tow; and their works like sparks of fire: and the lawless and sinful shall be burned up together; and there shall be no extinguisher."