## Judah, a Sinful Nation 

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The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he beheld in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, _and_ Hezekiah, kings of Judah. 

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Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; For Yahweh speaks, "Sons I have reared and raised up, But they have transgressed against Me. 

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An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master's manger, _But_ Israel does not know; My people do not perceive." 

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Alas, sinful nation, People heavy with iniquity, Seed of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have forsaken Yahweh; They have spurned the Holy One of Israel; They have become estranged from Him. 

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Where will you be stricken again, _As_ you continue in _your_ rebellion? The whole head is sick, And the whole heart is faint. 

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From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing sound in it, _Only_ bruises, wounds, and raw wounds, Not pressed out, not bandaged, Not softened with oil. 

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Your land is desolate; Your cities are burned with fire; Your fields--strangers are devouring them in your presence; It is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. 

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The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, Like a watchman's hut in a cucumber field, like a besieged city. 

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Unless Yahweh of hosts Had left us a few survivors, We would be like Sodom, We would be like Gomorrah. 

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Hear the word of Yahweh, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the law of our God, You people of Gomorrah. 

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"What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?" Says Yahweh. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats I take no pleasure. 

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When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts? 

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Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of convocation-- I cannot endure wickedness and the solemn assembly. 

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My soul hates your new moon _festivals_ and your appointed times, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing _them_. 

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So when you spread out your hands _in prayer_, I will hide My eyes from you; Indeed, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood. 

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"Wash yourselves, purify yourselves; Remove the evil of your deeds from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, 

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Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Execute justice for the orphan, Plead for the widow. 

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"Come now, and let us reason together," Says Yahweh, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. 

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If you are willing and obey, You will eat the best of the land; 

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But if you refuse and rebel, You will be eaten by the sword." For the mouth of Yahweh has spoken. 

## Zion Will Be Redeemed with Justice 

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How the faithful city has become a harlot, She _who_ was full of justice! Righteousness once lodged in her, But now murderers. 

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Your silver has become dross, Your drink diluted with water. 

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Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe And pursues rewards. They do not execute justice for the orphan, Nor does the widow's plea come before them. 

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Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of hosts, The Mighty One of Israel, declares, "Ah, I will be comforted concerning My adversaries, And I will avenge Myself on My enemies. 

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I will also turn My hand against you, And will smelt away your dross as with lye And will remove all your alloy. 

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Then I will have your judges return as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning; Afterwards you will be called the city of righteousness, A faithful town." 

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Zion will be redeemed with justice And her repentant ones with righteousness. 

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But transgressors and sinners will be broken together, And those who forsake Yahweh will come to an end. 

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For you will be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, And you will be humiliated because of the gardens which you have chosen. 

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For you will be like an oak whose leaf withers away Or as a garden that has no water. 

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And the strong man will become tinder, His work also a spark. Thus they shall both burn together, And there will be none to quench _them_.