The visions concerning Judah and the habitation of prosperity - Jerusalem - that Isaiah son of Amoz, saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah

“LISTEN, sky! Pay attention, ground,” this is a declaration of the Self-existent, “I raised children and brought them up, but they rebelled against Me.

The ox knows its owner and the donkey, its owner’s feeding trough, but Israel [descendants of Jacob] does not know; My people do not understand.

Oh! Sinful nation, people weighed down with sin, brood of evildoers, depraved children! They have abandoned the Self-existent, the Holy Spirit; they have despised the Holy One of Israel [the Self-existent - the Holy Spirit] — they have turned their backs on Him.

Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep on rebelling? The whole head is hurt and the whole heart, sick.

From the sole of the foot even to the head, no spot is without injury — wounds, welts and festering sores — not cleansed, bandaged or soothed with oil.

Your country is desolate, your cities, burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before your eyes, laid waste as when overthrown by foreigners.

So, dearest Zion [Judah, the southern kingdom] is abandoned like a shelter in a vineyard, like a shack in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.”

If the Self-existent, the God of armies, had not left you a few survivors, you would be like Sodom, you would be comparable to Gomorrah.

Hear what the Self-existent says, rulers of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of God [the Self-existent], people of Gomorrah:

“What are all your sacrifices to Me? I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I have no desire for the blood of bulls, lambs or male goats.

Who asked you to bring this to Me? To rubbish My courts?

Stop bringing useless offerings. Your incense is detestable to Me. I am fed up with your monthly, weekly and annual festivals; they are offenses – even the very solemn gathering.

In fact, I hate your monthly and annual festivals: They are a burden to Me; I am tired of putting up with them.

When you lift up 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.

Wash and be clean: Get rid of your evil deeds; stop doing evil.

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.

Then, let us come for a tete-a-tete: Though your sins are like scarlet, they will become as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land,

but if you refuse and rebel, you will be destroyed by sword.” (This is a declaration of the Self-existent that must come true or cannot be countermanded.)

“The loyal city - Jerusalem – what an adulteress she has become! She was once full of justice – godly people once dwelt in her - but now, murderers!

Your silver has become dross and your wine, diluted with water.

Your rulers are rebels, companions 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.

Therefore,” this is a decision of the Sovereign God, the Self-existent the God of armies, the Mighty One of Israel, “Ah! I will satisfy Myself over My foes; I will take revenge against My enemies.

I will turn My hand against you and burn away your dross completely; I will remove all your impurities.

Then, I will restore your judges to what they once were, your advisers, to their former state. Afterward, you will be called, ‘City of Justice – a loyal city.’

Zion [Judah, the southern kingdom] will be redeemed by justice, her repentant ones by uprightness.

But rebels and sinners will be destroyed and those who abandon the Self-existent [the Holy Spirit] will perish.

They will be ashamed of those sacred trees they desire and be embarrassed because of the gardens they have chosen.

They will become like an oak whose leaves have withered and like a garden without water.

The strong one will become tinder and his work, a spark; both will burn together with no one to quench the flames.”