(2 Chronicles 28:5–15)
1
The visions of Isaiah son of Amoz, that he has seen concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
2
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, || For YHWH has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up sons, || And they transgressed against Me.
3
An ox has known its owner, || And a donkey the crib of its master, || Israel has not known, || My people have not understood.”
4
Oh, sinning nation, a people heavy [with] iniquity, || A seed of evildoers, sons—corrupters! They have forsaken YHWH, || They have despised the Holy One of Israel, || They have gone away backward.
5
Why are you struck anymore? You add apostasy! Every head has become diseased, and every heart [is] sick.
6
From the sole of the foot—to the head, || There is no soundness in it, || Wound, and bruise, and fresh striking! They have not been closed nor bound, || Nor have they softened with ointment.
7
Your land [is] a desolation, your cities burned with fire, || Your ground—strangers are consuming it before you, || And a desolation as overthrown by strangers!
8
And the daughter of Zion has been left, || As a shelter in a vineyard, || As a lodge in a place of cucumbers—as a city besieged.
9
Unless YHWH of Hosts had left a remnant to us, || Shortly—we had been as Sodom, || We had been like to Gomorrah!
Meaningless Offerings
10
Hear the word of YHWH, you rulers of Sodom, || Give ear to the Law of our God, you people of Gomorrah,
11
“Why the abundance of your sacrifices to Me?” says YHWH, || “I have been satiated [with] burnt-offerings of rams, || And fat of fatlings; And blood of bullocks, and lambs, || And I have not desired male goats.
12
When you come to appear before Me, || Who has required this of your hand, || To trample My courts?
13
Do not add to bring in a vain present, || Incense—it [is] an abomination to Me, || New moon, and Sabbath, calling of convocation! Do not render iniquity—and a restraint!
14
My soul has hated your new moons and your set seasons, || They have been on Me for a burden, || I have been weary of bearing.
15
And in your spreading forth your hands, I hide My eyes from you, || Also when you increase prayer, I do not hear, || Your hands have been full of blood.
16
Wash yourselves, make yourselves pure, || Turn aside the evil of your doings, from before My eyes, || Cease to do evil, learn to do good.
17
Seek judgment, make the oppressed blessed, || Judge the fatherless, strive [for] the widow.
18
Now come, and we settle this,” says YHWH, “If your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow, || If they are red as crimson, they will be as wool!
19
If you are willing, and have listened, || The good of the land you consume,
20
And if you refuse, and have rebelled, || You are consumed [by] the sword,” || For the mouth of YHWH has spoken.
The Corruption of Zion
21
How has a faithful city become a harlot? I have filled it [with] judgment, || Righteousness lodges in it—now murderers.
22
Your silver has become dross, || Your drink defiled with water.
23
Your princes [are] apostates, and companions of thieves, || Everyone loving a bribe, and pursuing rewards, || They do not judge the fatherless, || And the plea of the widow does not come to them.
24
Therefore—a declaration of the Lord—YHWH of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: “Oh, I relieve Myself from My adversaries, || And avenge Myself against My enemies,
25
And I turn back My hand on you, || And I refine your dross as purity, || And I turn aside all your tin,
26
And I give back your judges as at the first, || And your counselors as in the beginning, || After this you are called, A city of righteousness—a faithful city.”
27
Zion is redeemed in judgment, || And her captivity in righteousness.
28
And the destruction of transgressors and sinners [is] together, || And those forsaking YHWH are consumed.
29
For [men] are ashamed because of the oaks || That you have desired, || And you are confounded because of the gardens || That you have chosen.
30
For you are as an oak whose leaf is fading, || And as a garden that has no water.
31
And the strong has been for tow, || And his work for a spark, || And both of them have burned together, || And there is none quenching!
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