Isaiah 64

New International Reader's Version

64 I wish you would open up your heavens
    and come down to us!
I wish the mountains would tremble
    when you show your power!
² Be like a fire that causes twigs to burn.
    It also makes water boil.
So come down and make yourself known to your enemies.
    Cause the nations to shake with fear
    when they see your power!
³ Long ago you did some wonderful things we didn’t expect.
    You came down, and the mountains trembled
    when you showed your power.
⁴ No one’s ears have ever heard of a God like you.
    No one’s eyes have ever seen a God who is greater than you.
No God but you acts for the good
    of those who trust in him.
⁵ You come to help those who enjoy doing what is right.
    You help those who thank you for teaching them how to live.
But when we continued to disobey you,
    you became angry with us.
    So how can we be saved?
⁶ All of us have become like someone who is “unclean.”
    All the good things we do are like dirty rags to you.
All of us are like leaves that have dried up.
    Our sins sweep us away like the wind.
⁷ No one prays to you.
    No one asks you for help.
You have turned your face away from us.
    You have let us feel the effects of our sins.

⁸ Lord, you are our Father.
    We are the clay. You are the potter.
    Your hands made all of us.
⁹ Don’t be so angry with us, Lord.
    Don’t remember our sins anymore.
Please have mercy on us.
    All of us belong to you.
¹⁰ Your sacred cities have become a desert.
    Even Zion is a desert.
    Jerusalem is a dry and empty place.
¹¹ Our people of long ago used to praise you in our holy and glorious temple.
    But now it has been burned down.
    Everything we treasured has been destroyed.
¹² Lord, won’t you help us even after everything that’s happened?
    Will you keep silent and punish us more than we can stand?