Isaiah 65
65
The LORD will punish the guilty
1I, the LORD, was ready#Ro 10.20.
to answer even those
who were not asking
and to be found by those
who were not searching.
To a nation that refused
to worship me,#65.1 refused…me: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
I said, “Here I am!”
2All day long I have reached out#Ro 10.21.
to stubborn and sinful people
going their own way.
3They keep making me angry
by sneering at me,
while offering sacrifices
to idols in gardens
and burning incense
to them on bricks.
4They spend their nights
hiding in burial caves;
they eat the meat of pigs,#65.4 burial…pigs: Coming in contact with the dead or eating the meat of pigs made a person unacceptable to God.
cooked in sauces
made of stuff unfit to eat.
5And then they say to others,
“Don't come near us!
We're dedicated to God.”
Such people are like smoke,
irritating my nose all day.
6I have written this down;
I won't keep silent.
I'll pay them back
just as their sins deserve.
7I, the LORD, will make them pay
for their sins and for those
of their ancestors—
they have disgraced me
by burning incense
on mountains.
8Here is what the LORD says:
A cluster of grapes
that produces wine
is worth keeping!
So, because of my servants,
I won't destroy everyone.
9I have chosen the people
of Israel and Judah,
and I will bless them
with many descendants.
They will settle here
in this land of mountains,
and it will be theirs.
10My people will worship me.#Js 7.24-26.
Then the coastlands of Sharon
and the land as far
as Achor Valley#65.10 coastlands of Sharon…Achor Valley: Sharon is the coastal plain on the west, and Achor Valley is in the east near Jericho. These two places stand for the whole country.
will turn into pasture land
where cattle and sheep
will feed and rest.
11What will I, the LORD, do
if any of you reject me
and my holy mountain?
What will happen to you
for offering food and wine
to the gods you call
“Good Luck” and “Fate”?
12Your luck will end!
I will see to it that you
are slaughtered with swords.
You refused to answer
when I called out;
you paid no attention
to my instructions.
Instead, you did what I hated,
knowing it was wrong.
13I, the LORD God, will give
food and drink to my servants,
and they will celebrate.
But all of you sinners
will go hungry and thirsty,
overcome with disgrace.
14My servants will laugh and sing,
but you will be sad
and cry out in pain.
15I, the LORD God, promise
to see that you are killed
and that my chosen servants use
your names as curse words.
But I will give new names#65.15 new names: The giving of a new name suggests the beginning of a new life.
to my servants.#65.15 But I…servants: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
16I am God! I can be trusted.
Your past troubles are gone;
I no longer think of them.
When you pray for someone
to receive a blessing,
or when you make a promise,
you must do it in my name.
I alone am the God
who can be trusted.
The LORD's new creation
17I am creating new heavens#Is 66.22; 2 P 3.13; Rev 21.1.
and a new earth;
everything of the past
will be forgotten.
18Celebrate and be glad for ever!
I am creating a Jerusalem,
full of happy people.
19I will celebrate with Jerusalem#Rev 21.4.
and all its people;
there will be no more crying
or sorrow in that city.
20No child will die in infancy;
everyone will live
to a ripe old age.
Anyone a hundred years old
will be considered young,
and to die younger than that
will be considered a curse.
21My people will live
in the houses they build;
they will enjoy grapes
from their own vineyards.
22No one will take away
their homes or vineyards.
My chosen people will live
to be as old as trees,
and they will enjoy
what they have earned.
23Their work won't be wasted,
and their children won't die
of dreadful diseases.#65.23 their children…diseases: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
I will bless their children
and their grandchildren.
24I will answer their prayers
before they finish praying.
25Wolves and lambs#Is 11.6-9.
will graze together;
lions and oxen
will feed on straw.
Snakes will eat only dust!
They won't bite or harm anyone
on my holy mountain.
I, the LORD, have spoken!
Currently Selected:
Isaiah 65: CEVUK
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© British and Foreign Bible Society 2012
