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Isaiah chapter 1

English Standard Version

1The 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.
2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: "Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. 3The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master 's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand." 4Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. 5Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6 From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds; they are not pressed out or bound up or softened with oil. 7 Your country lies desolate; your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence foreigners devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners. 8And the daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a lodge in a cucumber field, like a besieged city. 9 If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah. 10Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! 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 well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. 12"When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? 13Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations — I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. 14Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. 15When you spread out 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. 16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 17learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow 's cause. 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. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; 20but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." 21How the faithful city has become a whore, she who was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers. 22 Your silver has become dross, your best wine mixed with water. 23Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow 's cause does not come to them. 24Therefore the Lord declares, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: "Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge myself on my foes. 25 I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy. 26And 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." 27 Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness. 28 But rebels and sinners shall be broken together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed. 29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks that you desired; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen. 30For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water. 31And the strong shall become tinder, and his work a spark, and both of them shall burn together, with none to quench them.
New International Version

1The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
2Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the Lord has spoken: "I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.
3The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand."
4Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. 5Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted.
6From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness— only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with olive oil. 7Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers. 8Daughter Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like a city under siege.
9Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. 10Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah! 11"The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?" says the Lord. "I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. 12When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? 13Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. 14Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.
15When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! 16Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.
17Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. 18"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;
20but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 21See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her— but now murderers! 22Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water.
23Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them. 24Therefore the Lord, the Lord Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: "Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies. 25I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.
26I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City." 27Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness.
28But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the Lord will perish. 29"You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen. 30You will be like an oak with fading leaves, like a garden without water. 31The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire."
New American Standard Bible

1The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
2Listen, heavens, and hear, earth; For the Lord has spoken: 'Sons I have raised and brought up, But they have revolted against Me. 3An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, But Israel does not know, My people do not understand.' 4Oh, sinful nation, People weighed down with guilt, Offspring of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have abandoned the Lord, They have despised the Holy One of Israel, They have turned away from Him. 5Where will you be stricken again, As you continue in your rebellion? The entire head is sick And the entire heart is faint. 6From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing healthy in it, Only bruises, slashes, and raw wounds; Not pressed out nor bandaged, Nor softened with oil. 7Your land is desolate, Your cities are burned with fire; As for your fields, strangers are devouring them in front of you; It is desolation, as overthrown by strangers. 8The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, Like a watchman’s hut in a cucumber field, like a city under watch. 9If the Lord of armies Had not left us a few survivors, We would be like Sodom, We would be like Gomorrah. 10Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Listen to the instruction of our God, You people of Gomorrah! 11'What are your many sacrifices to Me?' Says the Lord. 'I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fattened cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats. 12When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courtyards? 13Do not go on bringing your worthless offerings, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and Sabbath, the proclamation of an assembly— I cannot endure wrongdoing and the festive assembly. 14 I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am tired of bearing them. 15So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you offer many prayers, I will not be listening. Your hands are covered with blood. 16'Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil, 17Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor, Obtain justice for the orphan, Plead for the widow’s case. 18'Come now, and let us debate your case,' Says the Lord, 'Though your sins are as scarlet, They shall become as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool. 19If you are willing and obedient, You will eat the best of the land; 20But if you refuse and rebel, You will be devoured by the sword.' For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 21How the faithful city has become a prostitute, She who was full of justice! Righteousness once dwelt in her, But now murderers. 22Your silver has become waste matter, Your drink diluted with water. 23Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe And chases after gifts. They do not obtain justice for the orphan, Nor does the widow’s case come before them. 24Therefore the Lord God of armies, The Mighty One of Israel, declares, 'Ah, I will have satisfaction against My adversaries, And avenge Myself on My enemies. 25I will also turn My hand against you, And smelt away your impurities as with lye; And I will remove all your slag. 26Then I will restore your judges as at first, And your counselors as at the beginning; After that you will be called the city of righteousness, A faithful city.' 27Zion will be redeemed with justice And her repentant ones with righteousness. 28But wrongdoers and sinners together will be broken, And those who abandon the Lord will come to an end. 29 You certainly will be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, And you will be embarrassed by the gardens which you have chosen. 30For you will be like an oak whose leaf withers away, Or like a garden that has no water. 31The strong man will become like flax fiber, And his work a spark. So they shall both burn together And there will be no one to extinguish them.
Christian Standard Bible

1The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah.
2Listen, heavens, and pay attention, earth, for the Lord has spoken: "I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.
3The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s feeding trough, but Israel does not know; my people do not understand."
4Oh sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity, brood of evildoers, depraved children! They have abandoned the Lord; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they have turned their backs on him. 5Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep on rebelling? The whole head is hurt, and the whole heart is sick.
6From the sole of the foot even to the head, no spot is uninjured — wounds, welts, and festering sores not cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil. 7Your land is desolate, your cities burned down; foreigners devour your fields right in front of you— a desolation, like a place demolished by foreigners. 8Daughter Zion is abandoned like a shelter in a vineyard, like a shack in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.
9If the Lord of Armies had not left us a few survivors, we would be like Sodom, we would resemble Gomorrah. 10Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah! 11"What are all your sacrifices to me?" asks the Lord. "I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I have no desire for the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats. 12When you come to appear before me, who requires this from you— this trampling of my courts? 13Stop bringing useless offerings. Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons and Sabbaths, and the calling of solemn assemblies — I cannot stand iniquity with a festival. 14I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals. They have become a burden to me; I am tired of putting up with them. 15When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. 16"Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from my sight. Stop doing evil.
17Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause. 18"Come, let us settle this," says the Lord. "Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool. 19If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.
20But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 21The faithful town— what an adulteress she has become! She was once full of justice. Righteousness once dwelt in her, but now, murderers! 22Your silver has become dross to be discarded, your beer is diluted with water.
23Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love graft and chase after bribes. They do not defend the rights of the fatherless, and the widow’s case never comes before them. 24Therefore the Lord God of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: "Ah, I will get even with my foes; I will take revenge against my enemies. 25I will turn my hand against you and will burn away your dross completely; I will remove all your impurities.
26I will restore your judges to what they were at first, and your advisers to what they were at the start. Afterward you will be called the Righteous City, a Faithful Town." 27Zion will be redeemed by justice, those who repent, by righteousness. 28At the same time both rebels and sinners will be broken, and those who abandon the Lord will perish. 29Indeed, they will be ashamed of the sacred trees you desired, and you will be embarrassed because of the garden shrines you have chosen. 30For you will become like an oak whose leaves are withered, and like a garden without water. 31The strong one will become tinder, and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to extinguish the flames.
New Living Translation

1These are the visions that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. He saw these visions during the years when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah.
2Listen, O heavens! Pay attention, earth! This is what the Lord says: 'The children I raised and cared for have rebelled against me. 3Even an ox knows its owner, and a donkey recognizes its master’s care — but Israel doesn’t know its master. My people don’t recognize my care for them.' 4Oh, what a sinful nation they are — loaded down with a burden of guilt. They are evil people, corrupt children who have rejected the Lord. They have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.
5Why do you continue to invite punishment? Must you rebel forever? Your head is injured, and your heart is sick. 6You are battered from head to foot — covered with bruises, welts, and infected wounds — without any soothing ointments or bandages. 7Your country lies in ruins, and your towns are burned. Foreigners plunder your fields before your eyes and destroy everything they see. 8Beautiful Jerusalem stands abandoned like a watchman’s shelter in a vineyard, like a lean-to in a cucumber field after the harvest, like a helpless city under siege. 9If the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had not spared a few of us, we would have been wiped out like Sodom, destroyed like Gomorrah.
10Listen to the Lord, you leaders of 'Sodom.' Listen to the law of our God, people of 'Gomorrah.' 11'What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?' says the Lord. 'I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. 12When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony? 13Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting — they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings. 14I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them! 15When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims. 16Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. 17Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
18'Come now, let’s settle this,' says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. 19If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat. 20But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the Lord, have spoken!'
21See how Jerusalem, once so faithful, has become a prostitute. Once the home of justice and righteousness, she is now filled with murderers. 22Once like pure silver, you have become like worthless slag. Once so pure, you are now like watered-down wine. 23Your leaders are rebels, the companions of thieves. All of them love bribes and demand payoffs, but they refuse to defend the cause of orphans or fight for the rights of widows.
24Therefore, the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says, 'I will take revenge on my enemies and pay back my foes! 25I will raise my fist against you. I will melt you down and skim off your slag. I will remove all your impurities. 26Then I will give you good judges again and wise counselors like you used to have. Then Jerusalem will again be called the Home of Justice and the Faithful City.'
27Zion will be restored by justice; those who repent will be revived by righteousness. 28But rebels and sinners will be completely destroyed, and those who desert the Lord will be consumed.
29You will be ashamed of your idol worship in groves of sacred oaks. You will blush because you worshiped in gardens dedicated to idols. 30You will be like a great tree with withered leaves, like a garden without water. 31The strongest among you will disappear like straw; their evil deeds will be the spark that sets it on fire. They and their evil works will burn up together, and no one will be able to put out the fire.
King James Version

1The 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. 2Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
3The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
4Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
5Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
6From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
7Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
8And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.
9Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
10Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
11To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
12When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
13Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
14Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
16Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
17Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
18Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
20But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. 21How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
22Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
23Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
24Therefore saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:
25And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
26And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
27Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
28And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed.
29For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.
30For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.
31And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.
New King James Version

1The 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.
2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me; 3 The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider.” 4Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the Lord, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward. 5 Why should you be stricken again? You will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick, And the whole heart faints. 6From the sole of the foot even to the head, There is no soundness in it, But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores; They have not been closed or bound up, Or soothed with ointment. 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. 8So the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard, As a hut in a garden of cucumbers, As a besieged city. 9 Unless the Lord of hosts Had left to us a very small remnant, We would have become like Sodom, We would have been made like Gomorrah. 10Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the law of our God, You people of Gomorrah: 11“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats. 12“When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? 13Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. 14Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. 16“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, 17Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. 18“Come now, and 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 be as wool. 19If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; 20But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 21 How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers. 22 Your silver has become dross, Your wine mixed with water. 23 Your princes are rebellious, And companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes, And follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, Nor does the cause of the widow come before them. 24Therefore the Lord says, The Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, “Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries, And take vengeance on My enemies. 25I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purge away your dross, And take away all your alloy. 26I 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.” 27Zion shall be redeemed with justice, And her penitents with righteousness. 28The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together, And those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed. 29For they shall be ashamed of the terebinth trees Which you have desired; And you shall be embarrassed because of the gardens Which you have chosen. 30For you shall be as a terebinth whose leaf fades, And as a garden that has no water. 31 The strong shall be as tinder, And the work of it as a spark; Both will burn together, And no one shall quench them.

What does Isaiah chapter 1 mean?

Isaiah's massive book of prophecy begins with just one verse describing who he is and when he served as the Lord's messenger to Judah, the southern part of the divided kingdom of Israel. Isaiah was the son of the otherwise unknown Amoz, and he served as a prophet of the Lord God of Israel from late in the reign of King Uzziah through sometime during the reign of King Hezekiah (Isaiah 1:1).

Isaiah's book begins with the Lord making a case in a kind of lawsuit or arraignment against His people Israel. God serves as both the prosecutor and the judge. He is laying out many of the ways in which the people of Israel have violated their covenant with the Lord (Isaiah 1:2).

After calling the heavens and earth to serve as witnesses or jurors, the Lord sums up the charges: He has brought up Israel as His children, and they have rebelled against Him. Even stubborn donkeys understand who provides their food, but the people of Israel seem to lack this understanding, instead attempting to push away the One who gives them all they need to survive (Isaiah 1:3).

At this point in her history, Israel is a nation saturated with iniquity. Each generation is born from evildoers and continues their corruption. By their sinfulness, they have estranged themselves from the Holy One of Israel, despising and forsaking Him (Isaiah 1:4).

Isaiah asks why his people appear to want to be destroyed. Why else would they continue to live in rebellion? He describes the state of the nation as a kind of spiritual sickness. The head is sick, the heart faint, and the body is unsound. Even though covered with bruises, sores, and open wounds, she will not treat any of her injuries. The nation goes on as if nothing is wrong (Isaiah 1:5–6).

That spiritual sickness has the nation on the path to physical destruction. Isaiah describes a time in Israel's future as if God's judgment has already fallen. The country has been decimated, and the cities are burned to the ground. Invading foreigners have destroyed everything in their path. The once great city of Jerusalem will fall like a hut in an unprotected field (Isaiah 1:7–8).

Isaiah adds that if God had not spared a remnant of survivors, Israel would have been driven into extinction as Sodom and Gomorrah were (Isaiah 1:9–10).

Isaiah begins to quote the Lord, who is not impressed with the offerings and sacrifices of the people of Judah. Their offerings, incense, and celebrations are meaningless and a burden to the Lord because of the rebellion and sinfulness in their hearts (Isaiah 1:11-15).

The Lord tells the people to clean themselves by ending their sinful practices and beginning to do the good work of caring for the poor and the powerless among them. God promises to turn the stains of their sin as white as snow if they will repent. They will eat the "good of the land" if they obey. But If they refuse, they will become the food of the enemy's swords. (Isaiah 1:16-20)

The once faithful city of Jerusalem was known for its justice. Now it has become like a prostitute by worshiping false gods. It has become famous for its injustice. Murderers walk free. The city's leaders hang out with thieves. Everything runs on bribes and corruption, leaving no hope for orphans and widows to receive justice (Isaiah 1:21-23).

The Lord will remove the unfaithful from Israel, however. He will restore justice to Jerusalem. Those who repent will be redeemed. Those who do not will be broken and consumed (Isaiah 1:24-31).
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