Isaiah

Salvation for Foreigners

1This is what the LORD says: “Maintain justice and do what is right,for My salvation is coming soon, and My righteousness will be revealed.

2Blessed is the man who does this,and the son of man who holds it fast,who keeps the Sabbath without profaning itand keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

3Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say,“The LORD will utterly exclude me from His people.”And let the eunuch not say,“I am but a dry tree.”

4For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths,who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant—

5I will give them, in My house and within My walls,a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters.I will give them an everlasting namethat will not be cut off.

6And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORDto minister to Him,to love the name of the LORD,and to be His servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning itand who hold fast to My covenant—

7I will bring them to My holy mountainand make them joyful in My house of prayer.Their burnt offerings and sacrificeswill be accepted on My altar,for My house will be called a house of prayerfor all the nations.”

8Thus declares the Lord GOD,who gathers the dispersed of Israel: “I will gather to them still othersbesides those already gathered.”

Israel’s Sinful Leaders

9Come, all you beasts of the field;eat greedily, all you beasts of the forest.

10Israel’s watchmen are blind,they are all oblivious;they are all mute dogs,they cannot bark;they are dreamers lying around,loving to slumber.

11Like ravenous dogs,they are never satisfied.They are shepherds with no discernment;they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:

12“Come, let me get the wine,let us imbibe the strong drink,and tomorrow will be like today,only far better!”

1The LORD says:“Maintain justiceand do what is right,for my salvation is nearand my righteousness will soon be revealed.

2Blessed is the man who does this,and the son of man who holds it fast;who keeps the Sabbath without profaning itand keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

3Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD speak, saying,“The LORD will surely separate me from his people.” Do not let the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.”

4For the LORD says, “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,choose the things that please me, and hold fast to my covenant,

5I will give them in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters.I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.

6Also the foreigners who join themselves to the LORDto serve him,and to love the LORD’s name,to be his servants,everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it,and holds fast my covenant,

7I will bring these to my holy mountain,and make them joyful in my house of prayer.Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar;for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

8The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says,“I will yet gather others to him, in addition to his own who are gathered.”

9All you animals of the field,come to devour, all you animals in the forest.

10His watchmen are blind.They are all without knowledge.They are all mute dogs.They can’t bark— dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.

11Yes, the dogs are greedy.They can never have enough.They are shepherds who can’t understand.They have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.

12“Come,” they say, “I will get wine,and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be as today, great beyond measure.”