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Isaiah 66
International Standard Version
Isaiah 66
International Standard Version
The Worship that God Commands
66 This is what the Lord says:
“Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house[a] that you would build for me,
and where will my resting place be?
2 All these things my hand has made,
and so all these things came into being,”
declares the Lord.
“But this is the one to whom I will look favorably:
to the one who is humble and contrite in spirit,
and who[b] trembles at[c] my message.
3 “Whoever slaughters an ox
is just like[d] one who kills a human being;
whoever sacrifices a lamb
is just like one who breaks a dog’s neck;
whoever makes a grain offering
is just like one who offers pig’s blood;
and whoever makes a memorial offering of frankincense
is just like one who blesses an idol.
Yes, these have chosen their own ways,
and they take delight in their contaminated actions.
4 Therefore[e] I, too, will choose harsh treatment for them,
and will bring upon them what they dread.
For when I called, no[f] one answered;
when I spoke, they didn’t listen;
but they did what I consider to be evil,
and chose what doesn’t please me.”
The Lord Vindicates Zion
5 “Hear this message from the Lord,
you who tremble at his words:[g]
“Your own brothers who hate you
and exclude you because of my name
have said: ‘Let the Lord be glorified;
he will see[h] your joy,’
yet it is they who will be put to shame.
6 “Listen to that uproar in[i] the city!
Listen to that noise from the Temple!
It is the sound of the Lord
paying back retribution to his enemies!
7 “Before she goes into labor she gives birth;
before her pains come upon her
she has delivered[j] a son.
8 Who has ever heard of such a thing?
And[k] who ever sees[l] such things?
Can a country be born in a single day,
or can a nation be brought forth in a single moment?
Yet no sooner was Zion in labor
than she delivered her children.
9 Am I to open the womb and not deliver?”
asks[m] the Lord.
“And when I bring to delivery, am I to close[n] the womb?”
asks your God.
10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be happy for her,
all you who love her;
rejoice with her in gladness,
all you who mourn over her,
11 so that you may nurse and be satisfied
at her consoling breasts,
and so that you may drink deeply and take delight
from her glorious bosom.”
The Rule of God
12 This[o] is what the Lord says:
“See, I will extend prosperity to her like a river,
and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream;
and you will nurse,
and you[p] will be carried on her hip,[q]
and bounced upon her knees.
13 Like a child whom his mother comforts,
so I will comfort you;
and you will be comforted in Jerusalem.
14 And when you look, your hearts will rejoice
and your bodies will flourish like grass;
and it will be made known
that the Lord’s hand is with his servants,
but his fury is with his enemies.
15 “Take notice! The Lord will come with fire,
and his chariot[r] will be[s] like a whirlwind,
to pay back his anger—yes, his anger!—[t] in fury,
and his menacing rebukes[u] in flames of fire.
16 For with fire and with his sword the Lord will proceed to judgment[v] on all humanity,[w]
and those slain by the Lord will be many.”
17 “Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves,[x] following the one at the center of those who eat the meat of pigs, disgusting things,[y] and rats, are all alike,”[z] says[aa] the Lord. 18 “But as for me, I know their actions and their thoughts. Come[ab] and gather all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory.
19 “I will put up signs[ac] among them, and from them I will send survivors to the nations—to Tarshish, Libya,[ad] and Lydia,[ae] (who draw the bow),[af] to Tubal and Greece,[ag] to the far off coastlands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. Then they will proclaim my glory among the nations. 20 They will bring all—yes, all!—[ah] of your kindred from all the nations to[ai] my holy mountain Jerusalem as an offering to the Lord—on horses, in chariots, in wagons, and on mules—yes, even on mules!—[aj] and on camels,” says the Lord, “just as the Israelis bring a grain offering in a clean vessel to the Lord’s house. 21 Then I will also select some of them for myself[ak] as priests and as Levites,”[al] says the Lord.
22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth
that I am about to make
will endure before me,” says the Lord,
“so will your descendants and your name endure.
23 And from New Moon to New Moon,
and from Sabbath to Sabbath,[am]
all[an] humanity will come to worship before me,”
says the Lord.
24 “Then they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of the people who rebelled against me. For their worm will not die, nor will their fire be extinguished, and they will remain an object of revulsion to all[ao] humanity.”
Footnotes
- Isaiah 66:1 I.e. a reconstructed Temple
- Isaiah 66:2 So 1QIsaa; 1QIsab MT lack who
- Isaiah 66:2 So 1QIsaa; 1QIsab MT use different Heb. prepositions
- Isaiah 66:3 So 1QIsaa LXX; 1QIsab MT lack just like
- Isaiah 66:4 Or So
- Isaiah 66:4 So 1QIsaa; MT LXX read and no
- Isaiah 66:5 So 1QIsaa; MT LXX read his word
- Isaiah 66:5 So 1QIsaa; MT reads so that we may see; LXX reads so that the name of the Lord may be glorified
- Isaiah 66:6 So 1QIsaa; MT LXX read from
- Isaiah 66:7 So 1QIsaa; 1QIsab MT LXX read and she has delivered
- Isaiah 66:8 So 1QIsaa LXX; 1QIsab MT lack And
- Isaiah 66:8 So 1QIsaa. 1QIsab MT LXX read has seen
- Isaiah 66:9 Lit. says
- Isaiah 66:9 So 1QIsaa (imperfect); 1QIsab MT (perfect)
- Isaiah 66:12 So 1QIsaa; MT LXX read For this
- Isaiah 66:12 1QIsaa feminine pl.; MT masculine pl.
- Isaiah 66:12 Or arm
- Isaiah 66:15 So 1QIsaa; MT LXX read his chariots
- Isaiah 66:15 1QIsaa MT LXX lack will be
- Isaiah 66:15 So 1QIsaa; 1QIsab MT LXX lack yes, his anger!
- Isaiah 66:15 So 1QIsaa; 1QIsab MT read his rebuke
- Isaiah 66:16 So 1QIsaa; 1QIsab MT read settle his claim
- Isaiah 66:16 Lit. on the humanity; so 1QIsaa; MT reads on humanity
- Isaiah 66:17 I.e. pagan sacred worship sites located in forested areas
- Isaiah 66:17 Or vermin
- Isaiah 66:17 So 1QIsaa; 1QIsab MT LXX read alike—they will meet their end together
- Isaiah 66:17 So 1QIsaa; MT reads declares
- Isaiah 66:18 So IQIsaa; MT LXX read I am about to come
- Isaiah 66:19 So IQIsaa LXX; 1QIsab MT read a sign
- Isaiah 66:19 Lit. Put
- Isaiah 66:19 Lit. Lud
- Isaiah 66:19 The Lydians were known for their skills at archery
- Isaiah 66:19 Lit. Javan
- Isaiah 66:20 So 1QIsaa; 1QIsab MT read bring all; LXX reads bring
- Isaiah 66:20 So 1QIsaa LXX; MT reads upon
- Isaiah 66:20 So 1QIsaa; 1QIsab MT LXX lack yes, even on mules!
- Isaiah 66:21 So 1QIsaa LXX; 1QIsab MT LXX lack for myself
- Isaiah 66:21 I.e. the ministry formerly held by the descendants of Levi
- Isaiah 66:23 So 1QIsaa 4QIsac; lit. to her Sabbath; MT reads to his Sabbath
- Isaiah 66:23 Lit. the; so 1QIsaa; 4QIsab MT LXX lack all
- Isaiah 66:24 Lit. the; so 1QIsaa; 4QIsab MT LXX lack all
Isaiah 66
New International Version
Isaiah 66
New International Version
Judgment and Hope
66 This is what the Lord says:
“Heaven is my throne,(A)
and the earth is my footstool.(B)
Where is the house(C) you will build for me?
Where will my resting place be?
2 Has not my hand made all these things,(D)
and so they came into being?”
declares the Lord.
“These are the ones I look on with favor:
those who are humble and contrite in spirit,(E)
and who tremble at my word.(F)
3 But whoever sacrifices a bull(G)
is like one who kills a person,
and whoever offers a lamb
is like one who breaks a dog’s neck;
whoever makes a grain offering
is like one who presents pig’s(H) blood,
and whoever burns memorial incense(I)
is like one who worships an idol.
They have chosen their own ways,(J)
and they delight in their abominations;(K)
4 so I also will choose harsh treatment for them
and will bring on them what they dread.(L)
For when I called, no one answered,(M)
when I spoke, no one listened.
They did evil(N) in my sight
and chose what displeases me.”(O)
5 Hear the word of the Lord,
you who tremble at his word:(P)
“Your own people who hate(Q) you,
and exclude you because of my name, have said,
‘Let the Lord be glorified,
that we may see your joy!’
Yet they will be put to shame.(R)
6 Hear that uproar from the city,
hear that noise from the temple!
It is the sound(S) of the Lord
repaying(T) his enemies all they deserve.
7 “Before she goes into labor,(U)
she gives birth;
before the pains come upon her,
she delivers a son.(V)
8 Who has ever heard of such things?
Who has ever seen(W) things like this?
Can a country be born in a day(X)
or a nation be brought forth in a moment?
Yet no sooner is Zion in labor
than she gives birth to her children.(Y)
9 Do I bring to the moment of birth(Z)
and not give delivery?” says the Lord.
“Do I close up the womb
when I bring to delivery?” says your God.
10 “Rejoice(AA) with Jerusalem and be glad for her,
all you who love(AB) her;
rejoice greatly with her,
all you who mourn(AC) over her.
11 For you will nurse(AD) and be satisfied
at her comforting breasts;(AE)
you will drink deeply
and delight in her overflowing abundance.”(AF)
12 For this is what the Lord says:
“I will extend peace(AG) to her like a river,(AH)
and the wealth(AI) of nations like a flooding stream;
you will nurse and be carried(AJ) on her arm
and dandled on her knees.
13 As a mother comforts her child,(AK)
so will I comfort(AL) you;
and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”
14 When you see this, your heart will rejoice(AM)
and you will flourish(AN) like grass;
the hand(AO) of the Lord will be made known to his servants,(AP)
but his fury(AQ) will be shown to his foes.
15 See, the Lord is coming with fire,(AR)
and his chariots(AS) are like a whirlwind;(AT)
he will bring down his anger with fury,
and his rebuke(AU) with flames of fire.
16 For with fire(AV) and with his sword(AW)
the Lord will execute judgment(AX) on all people,
and many will be those slain(AY) by the Lord.
17 “Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens,(AZ) following one who is among those who eat the flesh of pigs,(BA) rats(BB) and other unclean things—they will meet their end(BC) together with the one they follow,” declares the Lord.
18 “And I, because of what they have planned and done,(BD) am about to come[a] and gather the people of all nations(BE) and languages, and they will come and see my glory.(BF)
19 “I will set a sign(BG) among them, and I will send some of those who survive(BH) to the nations—to Tarshish,(BI) to the Libyans[b] and Lydians(BJ) (famous as archers), to Tubal(BK) and Greece,(BL) and to the distant islands(BM) that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory.(BN) They will proclaim my glory among the nations. 20 And they will bring(BO) all your people, from all the nations, to my holy mountain(BP) in Jerusalem as an offering to the Lord—on horses, in chariots and wagons, and on mules and camels,”(BQ) says the Lord. “They will bring them, as the Israelites bring their grain offerings, to the temple of the Lord in ceremonially clean vessels.(BR) 21 And I will select some of them also to be priests(BS) and Levites,” says the Lord.
22 “As the new heavens and the new earth(BT) that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure.(BU) 23 From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath(BV) to another, all mankind will come and bow down(BW) before me,” says the Lord. 24 “And they will go out and look on the dead bodies(BX) of those who rebelled(BY) against me; the worms(BZ) that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched,(CA) and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”
Footnotes
- Isaiah 66:18 The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.
- Isaiah 66:19 Some Septuagint manuscripts Put (Libyans); Hebrew Pul
Isaiah 66
King James Version
Isaiah 66
King James Version
66 Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
5 Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the Lord that rendereth recompence to his enemies.
7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the Lord: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
12 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the Lord shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.
15 For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many.
17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord.
18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.
21 And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the Lord.
22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.
23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.
24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
International Standard Version (ISV) 
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New International Version (NIV) 
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