1:1 Here is the message about Judah and Jerusalem ¹  that was revealed to Isaiah son of Amoz during the time when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah reigned over Judah. ² 

1:2 Listen, O heavens,

pay attention, O earth! ³ 

For the Lord speaks:

“I raised children, ⁴  I brought them up, ⁵ 

but ⁶  they have rebelled ⁷  against me!

1:3 An ox recognizes its owner,

a donkey recognizes where its owner puts its food; ⁸ 

but Israel does not recognize me, ⁹ 

my people do not understand.”

1:4 ¹⁰ 

The sinful nation is as good as dead, ¹¹ 

the people weighed down by evil deeds.

They are offspring who do wrong,

children ¹²  who do wicked things.

They have abandoned the Lord,

and rejected the Holy One of Israel. ¹³ 

They are alienated from him. ¹⁴ 

1:5 ¹⁵ 

Why do you insist on being battered?

Why do you continue to rebel? ¹⁶ 

Your head has a massive wound, ¹⁷ 

your whole body is weak. ¹⁸ 

1:6 From the soles of your feet to your head,

there is no spot that is unharmed. ¹⁹ 

There are only bruises, cuts,

and open wounds.

They have not been cleansed ²⁰  or bandaged,

nor have they been treated ²¹  with olive oil. ²² 

1:7 Your land is devastated,

your cities burned with fire.

Right before your eyes your crops

are being destroyed by foreign invaders. ²³ 

They leave behind devastation and destruction. ²⁴ 

1:8 Daughter Zion ²⁵  is left isolated,

like a hut in a vineyard,

or a shelter in a cucumber field;

she is a besieged city. ²⁶ 

1:9 If the Lord who commands armies ²⁷  had not left us a few survivors,

we would have quickly become like Sodom, ²⁸ 

we would have become like Gomorrah.

1:10 Listen to the Lord’s word,

you leaders of Sodom! ²⁹ 

Pay attention to our God’s rebuke, ³⁰ 

people of Gomorrah!

1:11 “Of what importance to me are your many sacrifices?” ³¹ 

says the Lord.

“I am stuffed with ³²  burnt sacrifices

of rams and the fat from steers.

The blood of bulls, lambs, and goats

I do not want. ³³ 

1:12 When you enter my presence,

do you actually think I want this –

animals trampling on my courtyards? ³⁴ 

1:13 Do not bring any more meaningless ³⁵  offerings;

I consider your incense detestable! ³⁶ 

You observe new moon festivals, Sabbaths, and convocations,

but I cannot tolerate sin-stained celebrations! ³⁷ 

1:14 I hate your new moon festivals and assemblies;

they are a burden

that I am tired of carrying.

1:15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,

I look the other way; ³⁸ 

when you offer your many prayers,

I do not listen,

because your hands are covered with blood. ³⁹ 

1:16 ⁴⁰ 

Wash! Cleanse yourselves!

Remove your sinful deeds ⁴¹ 

from my sight.

Stop sinning!

1:17 Learn to do what is right!

Promote justice!

Give the oppressed reason to celebrate! ⁴² 

Take up the cause of the orphan!

Defend the rights of the widow! ⁴³ 

1:18 ⁴⁴ 

Come, let’s consider your options,” ⁴⁵  says the Lord.

“Though your sins have stained you like the color red,

you can become ⁴⁶  white like snow;

though they are as easy to see as the color scarlet,

you can become ⁴⁷  white like wool. ⁴⁸ 

1:19 If you have a willing attitude and obey, ⁴⁹ 

then you will again eat the good crops of the land.