A people that provoked me ever unto my face: that sacrificeth in [a]gardens, and burneth incense upon [b]bricks.

Which remain among the [c]graves, and lodge in the deserts, which eat [d]swine’s flesh, and the broth of things polluted are in their vessels.

Which say, [e]Stand apart, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou; these are a smoke in my wrath, and a fire that [f]burneth all the day.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 65:3 Which were dedicated to idols.
  2. Isaiah 65:3 Meaning, their altars, which he thus named by contempt.
  3. Isaiah 65:4 To consult with spirits, and to conjure devils, which was forbidden, Deut.18:11.
  4. Isaiah 65:4 Which was contrary to God’s Commandment, Lev. 11:7; Deut. 14:8.
  5. Isaiah 65:5 He showeth that hypocrisy is ever joined with pride and contempt of others.
  6. Isaiah 65:5 Their punishment shall never have end.

a people who continually provoke me
    to my very face,(A)
offering sacrifices in gardens(B)
    and burning incense(C) on altars of brick;
who sit among the graves(D)
    and spend their nights keeping secret vigil;
who eat the flesh of pigs,(E)
    and whose pots hold broth of impure meat;
who say, ‘Keep away; don’t come near me,
    for I am too sacred(F) for you!’
Such people are smoke(G) in my nostrils,
    a fire that keeps burning all day.

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