Hear, O [a]heavens, and hearken, O earth: for the Lord hath said, I have nourished and brought up [b]children, but they have rebelled against me.

The [c]ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel hath not known: my people hath not understood.

Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity: a [d]seed of the wicked, corrupt children: they have forsaken the Lord: they have provoked the [e]Holy one of Israel to anger: they are gone backward.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 1:2 Because men were obstinate and insensible, he calleth to the dumb creatures, which were more prompt to obey God’s word, as Deut. 32:1.
  2. Isaiah 1:2 He declareth his great mercy toward the Jews forasmuch as he chose them above all other nations to be his people and children, as Deut. 10:15.
  3. Isaiah 1:3 The most dull and brute beasts do more acknowledge their duty toward their masters, than my people do toward me, of whom they have received benefits without comparison.
  4. Isaiah 1:4 They were not only wicked as were their fathers, but utterly corrupt, and by their evil example infected others.
  5. Isaiah 1:4 That is, him that sanctifieth Israel.

A Rebellious Nation

Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!(A)
    For the Lord has spoken:(B)
“I reared children(C) and brought them up,
    but they have rebelled(D) against me.
The ox knows(E) its master,
    the donkey its owner’s manger,(F)
but Israel does not know,(G)
    my people do not understand.(H)

Woe to the sinful nation,
    a people whose guilt is great,(I)
a brood of evildoers,(J)
    children given to corruption!(K)
They have forsaken(L) the Lord;
    they have spurned the Holy One(M) of Israel
    and turned their backs(N) on him.

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