The Lord's Indictment of Judah
Isaiah 1
The prophet Isaiah opens with the Lord's grief over Judah's rebellion, likening the nation's sickness to an unhealed wound and rejecting its sacrifices and feasts as worthless while its hands are full of blood. The Lord calls the people to wash themselves clean and pursue justice for the orphan and widow, promising that Jerusalem, now compared to Sodom, will be purged and restored as a faithful city.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonA VISION which Esaias son of Amos saw, (which he saw respecting Judea and Jerusalem) in the reign of Ozias, and Joatham and Achaz and Hezekias, who reigned over Judea:
BrentonThe vision which Esaias the son of Amos saw, which he saw against Juda and against Jerusalem, in the reign of Ozias, and Joatham, and Achaz, and Ezekias, who reigned over Judea.
GreekὍΡΑΣΙΣ ἣν εἶδεν Ἡσαΐας υἱὸς Ἀμὼς, ἣν εἶδε κατὰ τῆς Ἰουδαίας καὶ κατὰ Ἱερουσαλὴμ, ἐν βασιλείᾳ Ὀζίου, καὶ Ἰωάθαμ, καὶ Ἄχαζ, καὶ Ἐζεκίου οἳ ἐβασίλευσαν τῆς Ἰουδαίας.
KJV—
JPS—
2
ThomsonHearken, O heaven! and hear O earth! what the Lord hath spoken: I have begotten children and brought them up; and they have rebelled against Me.
BrentonHear, O heaven, and hearken, O earth: for the Lord has spoken, saying, I have begotten and reared up children, but they have rebelled against me.
GreekἌκουε οὐρανὲ, καὶ ἐνωτίζου γῆ, ὅτι Κύριος ἐλάλησεν, υἱοὺς ἐγέννησα καὶ ὕψωσα, αὐτοὶ δέ με ἠθέτησαν.
KJVHear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
JPSHear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, For the LORD hath spoken: Children I have reared, and brought up, And they have rebelled against Me.
3
ThomsonThe ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib; but Israel did not know Me. And this people have not regarded Me.
BrentonThe ox knows his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel does not know me, and the people has not regarded me.
GreekἜγνω βοῦς τὸν κτησάμενον, καὶ ὄνος τὴν φάτνην τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ· Ἰσραὴλ δέ με οὐκ ἔγνω, καὶ ὁ λαός με οὐ συνῆκεν.
KJVThe ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
JPSThe ox knoweth his owner, And the ass his master’s crib; But Israel doth not know, My people doth not consider.
4
ThomsonAh! sinful nation—people full of sins! vile race! iniquitous children! you have utterly forsaken the Lord; and provoked to wrath the Holy One of Israel.
BrentonAh sinful nation, a people full of sins, an evil seed, lawless children: ye have forsaken the Lord, and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
GreekΟὐαὶ ἔθνος ἁμαρτωλὸν, λαὸς πλήρης ἁμαρτιῶν, σπέρμα πονηρὸν, υἱοὶ ἄνομοι· ἐγκατελίπατε τὸν Κύριον, καὶ παρωργίσατε τὸν ἅγιον τοῦ Ἰσραήλ.
KJVAh sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
JPSAh sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A seed of evil-doers, Children that deal corruptly; They have forsaken the LORD, They have contemned the Holy One of Israel, They are turned away backward.
5
ThomsonWhat! must you persisting in iniquity be smitten still more? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint:
BrentonWhy should ye be smitten any more, transgressing more and more? the whole head is pained, and the whole heart sad.
GreekΤί ἔτι πληγῆτε προστιθέντες ἀνομίαν; πᾶσα κεφαλὴ εἰς πόνον, καὶ πᾶσα καρδία εἰς λύπην·
KJVWhy should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
JPSOn what part will ye yet be stricken, Seeing ye stray away more and more? The whole head is sick, And the whole heart faint;
6
Thomsonfrom the feet to the head, there is no soundness therein. Is it not, here a wound, there a bruise, there a putrefying sore? there is no applying poultice, nor oil, nor bandages.
BrentonFrom the feet to the head, there is no soundness in them; neither wound, nor bruise, nor festering ulcer are healed: it is not possible to apply a plaister, nor oil, nor bandages.
GreekἈπὸ ποδῶν ἕως κεφαλῆς, οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν αὐτῷ ὁλοκληρία, οὔτε τραῦμα, οὔτε μώλωψ, οὔτε πληγὴ φλεγμαίνουσα· οὐκ ἔστι μάλαγμα ἐπιθεῖναι, οὔτε ἔλαιον, οὔτε καταδέσμους.
KJV—
JPSFrom the sole of the foot even unto the head There is no soundness in it; But wounds, and bruises, and festering sores: They have not been pressed, neither bound up, Neither mollified with oil.
7
ThomsonYour land is a desert: your cities are burnt with fire. As for your country, before your eyes strangers are devouring it; and it is laid waste, being subdued by foreign tribes.
BrentonYour land is desolate, your cities burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is made desolate, overthrown by strange nations.
GreekἩ γῆ ὑμῶν ἔρημος, αἱ πόλεις ὑμῶν πυρίκαυστοι· τὴν χώραν ὑμῶν ἐνώπιον ὑμῶν ἀλλότριοι κατεσθίουσιν αὐτὴν, καὶ ἠρήμωται κατεστραμμένη ὑπὸ λαῶν ἀλλοτρίων.
KJVYour country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
JPSYour country is desolate; Your cities are burned with fire; Your land, strangers devour it in your presence, And it is desolate, as overthrown by floods.
8
ThomsonMust the daughter of Sion be left as a shed in a vineyard: and as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers—as a city taken by siege?
BrentonThe daughter of Sion shall be deserted as a tent in a vineyard, and as a storehouse of fruits in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.
GreekἘγκαταλειφθήσεται ἡ θυγάτηρ Σιὼν, ὡς σκηνὴ, ἐν ἀμπελῶνι, καὶ ὡς ὀπωροφυλάκιον ἐν σικυηράτῳ, ὡς πόλις πολιορκουμένη.
KJVAnd the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.
JPSAnd the daughter of Zion is left As a booth in a vineyard, As a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, As a besieged city.
9
ThomsonHad not the Lord of Hosts left us a seed, we should have been as Sodom and made like Gomorra.
BrentonAnd if the Lord of Sabaoth had not left us a seed, we should have been as Sodoma, and we should have been made like to Gomorrha.
GreekΚαὶ εἰ μὴ Κύριος σαβαὼθ ἐγκατέλιπεν ἡμῖν σπέρμα, ὡς Σόδομα ἂν ἐγενήθημεν, καὶ ὡς Γόμοῤῥα ἂν ὁμοίωθημεν.
KJVExcept the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
JPSExcept the LORD of hosts Had left unto us a very small remnant, We should have been as Sodom, We should have been like unto Gomorrah.
10
ThomsonHear a word of the Lord, O chiefs of Sodom! Attend to the law of God, ye people of Gomorra!
BrentonHear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodoma; attend to the law of God, thou people of Gomorrha.
GreekἈκούσατε λόγον Κυρίου, ἄρχοντες Σοδόμων· προσέχετε νόμον Θεοῦ, λαὸς Γομόῤῥας.
KJVHear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
JPSHear the word of the LORD, Ye rulers of Sodom; Give ear unto the law of our God, Ye people of Gomorrah.
11
ThomsonWhat is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me? saith the Lord: I am cloyed with whole burnt offerings of rams: in the fat of lambs and the blood of bulls and goats I have no delight;
BrentonOf what value to me is the abundance of your sacrifices? saith the Lord: I am full of whole-burnt-offerings of rams; and I delight not in the fat of lambs, and the blood of bulls and goats:
GreekΤί μοι πλῆθος τῶν θυσιῶν ὑμῶν; λέγει Κύριος· πλήρης εἰμὶ ὁλοκαυτωμάτων κριῶν, καὶ στέαρ ἀρνῶν καὶ αἷμα ταύρων καὶ τράγων οὐ βούλομαι,
KJVTo what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
JPSTo what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me? Saith the LORD; I am full of the burnt-offerings of rams, And the fat of fed beasts; And I delight not in the blood Of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats.
12
Thomsonnor should you come to appear before Me: for who hath required these at your hands? You shall no more be admitted to tread My court.
Brentonneither shall ye come with these to appear before me; for who has required these things at your hands? Ye shall no more tread my court.
Greekοὐδʼ ἂν ἔρχησθε ὀφθῆναί μοι· τίς γὰρ ἐξεζήτησε ταῦτα ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν ὑμῶν; πατεῖν τὴν αὐλήν μου οὐ προσθήσεθε.
KJVWhen ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
JPSWhen ye come to appear before Me, Who hath required this at your hand, To trample My courts?
13
ThomsonThough you bring fine flour; it is a vain incense—it is an abomination to Me. Your new moons and sabbaths and great day I cannot endure: your fasting and cessation from labour;
BrentonThough ye bring fine flour, it is vain; incense is an abomination to me; I cannot bear your new moons, and your sabbaths, and the great day;
GreekἘὰν φέρητε σεμίδαλιν, μάταιον θυμίαμα, βδέλυγμά μοι ἐστι· τὰς νουμηνίας ὑμῶν, καὶ τὰ σάββατα, καὶ ἡμέραν μεγάλην οὐκ ἀνέχομαι· νηστείαν, καὶ ἀργίαν,
KJVBring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
JPSBring no more vain oblations; It is an offering of abomination unto Me; New moon and sabbath, the holding of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity along with the solemn assembly.
14
Thomsonand your new moons and your festivals My soul hateth. You are become loathsome to Me; I will no longer remit your sins.
Brentonyour fasting, and rest from work, your new moons also, and your feasts my soul hates: ye have become loathsome to me; I will no more pardon your sins.
Greekκαὶ τὰς νουμηνίας ὑμῶν, καὶ τὰς ἑορτὰς ὑμῶν μισεῖ ἡ ψυχή μου· ἐγενήθητέ μοι εἰς πλησμονὴν, οὐκέτι ἀνήσω τὰς ἁμαρτίας ὑμῶν.
KJVYour new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
JPSYour new moons and your appointed seasons My soul hateth; They are a burden unto Me; I am weary to bear them.
15
ThomsonWhen you stretch forth your hands, I will turn Mine eyes from you; and though you multiply prayer, I will not hearken to you: for your hands are full of blood.
BrentonWhen ye stretch forth your hands, I will turn away mine eyes from you: and though ye make many supplications, I will not hearken to you; for your hands are full of blood.
GreekὍταν ἐκτείνητε τὰς χεῖρας, ἀποστρέψω τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς μου ἀφʼ ὑμῶν· καὶ ἐὰν πληθύνητε τὴν δέησιν, οὐκ εἰσακούσομαι ὑμῶν· αἱ γὰρ χεῖρες ὑμῶν αἵματος πλήρεις.
KJVAnd when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
JPSAnd when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide Mine eyes from you; Yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear; Your hands are full of blood.
16
ThomsonWash and become clean: remove iniquities from your souls; in My presence, cease from your evil deeds;
BrentonWash you, be clean; remove your iniquities from your souls before mine eyes; cease from your iniquities;
GreekΛούσασθε, καθαροὶ γένεσθε, ἀφέλετε τὰς πονηρίας ἀπὸ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν, ἀπέναντι τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν μου· παύσασθε ἀπὸ τῶν πονηριῶν ὑμῶν,
KJVWash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
JPSWash you, make you clean, Put away the evil of your doings From before Mine eyes, Cease to do evil;
17
Thomsonlearn to do good; seek judgment; deliver him who is injured; administer justice to the orphan, and plead the cause of the widow:
Brentonlearn to do well; diligently seek judgment, deliver him that is suffering wrong, plead for the orphan, and obtain justice for the widow.
Greekμάθετε καλὸν ποιεῖν, ἐκζητήσατε κρίσιν, ῥύσασθε ἀδικούμενον, κρίνατε ὀρφανῷ, καὶ δικαιώσατε χήραν.
KJVLearn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
JPSLearn to do well; Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, Judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
18
Thomsonthen come—(let our controversy be brought to issue, saith the Lord) and though your sins be as a purple stain; I will make you white as snow—though they be as a stain of scarlet; I will make you white as wool.
BrentonAnd come, let us reason together, saith the Lord: and though your sins be as purple, I will make them white as snow; and though they be as scarlet, I will make them white as wool.
GreekΚαὶ δεῦτε, διελεγχθῶμεν, λέγει Κύριος· καὶ ἐὰν ὦσιν αἱ ἁμαρτίαι ὑμῶν ὡς φοινικοῦν, ὡς χιόνα λευκανῶ· ἐὰν δὲ ὦσιν ὡς κόκκινον, ὡς ἔριον λευκανῶ.
KJVCome now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
JPSCome now, and let us reason together, Saith the LORD; Though your sins be as scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they be red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
19
ThomsonIf you indeed be willing and will hearken to Me, you shall eat the good things of the land:
BrentonAnd if ye be willing, and hearken to me, ye shall eat the good of the land:
GreekΚαὶ ἐὰν θέλητε, καὶ εἰσακούσητέ μου, τὰ ἀγαθὰ τῆς γῆς φάγεσθε.
KJVIf ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
JPSIf ye be willing and obedient, Ye shall eat the good of the land;
20
Thomsonbut if you refuse and hearken not to Me, the sword shall devour you; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken these words.
Brentonbut if ye be not willing, nor hearken to me, a sword shall devour you: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken this.
GreekἘὰν δὲ μὴ θέλητε, μηδὲ εἰσακούσητέ μου, μάχαιρα ὑμᾶς κατέδεται· τὸ γὰρ στόμα Κυρίου ἐλάλησε ταῦτα.
KJVBut if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
JPSBut if ye refuse and rebel, Ye shall be devoured with the sword; For the mouth of the LORD hath spoken.
21
ThomsonHow is the faithful city become a harlot? Sion that was full of justice! In its righteousness made its abode; but now murderers.
BrentonHow has the faithful city Sion, once full of judgment, become a harlot! wherein righteousness lodged, but now murderers.
GreekΠῶς ἐγένετο πόρνη πόλις πιστὴ Σιὼν πλήρης κρίσεως; ἐν ᾗ δικαιοσύνη ἐκοιμήθη ἐν αὐτῇ, νῦν δὲ φονευταί.
KJVHow is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
JPSHow is the faithful city Become a harlot! She that was full of justice, Righteousness lodged in her, But now murderers.
22
ThomsonYour silver is not pure: thy vintners mix the wine with water.
BrentonYour silver is worthless, thy wine merchants mix the wine with water.
GreekΤὸ ἀργύριον ὑμῶν ἀδόκιμον· οἱ κάπηλοί σου μίσγουσι τὸν οἶνον ὕδατι.
KJVThy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
JPSThy silver is become dross, Thy wine mixed with water.
23
ThomsonThe chiefs are rebellious; associates of thieves: they love gifts; they seek rewards: to orphans they do not administer justice; and to the cause of widows they do not attend.
BrentonThy princes are rebellious, companions of thieves, loving bribes, seeking after rewards; not pleading for orphans, and not heeding the cause of widows.
GreekΟἱ ἄρχοντές σου ἀπειθοῦσι, κοινωνοὶ κλεπτῶν, ἀγαπῶντες δῶρα, διώκοντες ἀνταπόδομα, ὀρφανοῖς οὐ κρίνοντες, καὶ κρίσιν χηρῶν οὐ προσέχοντες.
KJVThy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
JPSThy princes are rebellious, And companions of thieves; Every one loveth bribes, And followeth after rewards; They judge not the fatherless, Neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
24
ThomsonTherefore thus saith the sovereign Lord of hosts: Alas for the rulers of Israel! for My wrath against these adversaries shall not abate. On these enemies of Mine I will execute judgment:
BrentonTherefore thus saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, Woe to the mighty men of Israel; for my wrath shall not cease against mine adversaries, and I will execute judgment on mine enemies.
GreekΔιατοῦτο τάδε λέγει Κύριος ὁ δεσπότης σαβαὼθ, οὐαὶ οἱ ἰσχύοντες Ἰσραήλ· οὐ παύσεται γάρ μου ὁ θυμὸς ἐν τοῖς ὑπεναντίοις, καὶ κρίσιν ἐκ τῶν ἐχθρῶν μου ποιήσω.
KJVTherefore saith the LORD, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:
JPSTherefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, The Mighty One of Israel: Ah, I will ease Me of Mine adversaries, And avenge Me of Mine enemies;
25
Thomsonand I will bring My hand over thee, and purify thee with fire. Them who are disobedient I will destroy; and I will take away from thee all transgressors,
BrentonAnd I will bring my hand upon thee, and purge thee completely, and I will destroy the rebellious, and will take away from thee all transgressors.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπάξω τὴν χεῖρά μου ἐπὶ σὲ, καὶ πυρώσω εἰς καθαρόν, τοὺς δὲ ἀπειθοῦντας ἀπολέσω, καὶ ἀφελῶ πάντας ἀνόμους ἀπὸ σοῦ·
KJVAnd I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
JPSAnd I will turn My hand upon thee, And purge away thy dross as with lye, And will take away all thine alloy;
26
Thomsonand establish thy judges as at the first: and thy counsellors as at the beginning:
BrentonAnd I will establish thy judges as before, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: and afterward thou shalt be called the city of righteousness, the faithful mother-city Sion.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπιστήσω τοὺς κριτάς σου ὡς τὸ πρότερον, καὶ τοὺς συμβούλους σου ὡς τὸ ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς· καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα κληθήσῃ πόλις δικαιοσύνης, μητρόπολις πιστὴ Σιών·
KJVAnd I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
JPSAnd I will restore thy judges as at the first, And thy counsellors as at the beginning; Afterward thou shalt be called The city of righteousness, The faithful city.
27
Thomsonand after these things thou shalt be called The city of Righteousness, the faithful metropolis, Sion. For in the exercise of judgment her captivity shall be saved:
BrentonFor her captives shall be saved with judgment, and with mercy.
Greekμετὰ γὰρ κρίματος σωθήσεται ἡ αἰχμαλωσία αὐτῆς, καὶ μετὰ ἐλεημοσύνης.
KJV—
JPS—
28
Thomsonand in the exercise of mercy, the lawless and sinful shall be crushed together; and they who have forsaken the Lord shall be utterly destroyed:
BrentonAnd the transgressors and the sinners shall be crushed together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be utterly consumed.
GreekΚαὶ συντριβήσονται οἱ ἄνομοι καὶ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἅμα, καὶ οἱ ἐγκαταλιπόντες τὸν Κύριον συντελεσθήσονται.
KJVAnd the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
JPSBut the destruction of the transgressors and the sinners shall be together, And they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
29
Thomson—
BrentonFor they shall be ashamed of their idols, which they delighted in, and they are made ashamed of the gardens which they coveted.
GreekΔιότι αἰσχυνθήσονται ἀπὸ τῶν εἰδώλων αὐτῶν ἃ αὐτοὶ ἠβούλοντο, καὶ ᾐσχύνθησαν ἐπὶ τοῖς κήποις, ἃ ἐπεθύμησαν.
KJV—
JPS—
30
Thomson—
BrentonFor they shall be as a turpentine tree that has cast its leaves, and as a garden that has no water.
GreekἜσονται γὰρ ὡς τερέβινθος ἀποβεβληκυῖα τὰ φύλλα, καὶ ὡς παράδεισος ὕδωρ μὴ ἔχων.
KJV—
JPS—
31
ThomsonFor they shall be like an ilex, which hath shed its leaves; and like a garden which hath no water: and their strength shall be like tow; and their works like sparks of fire: and the lawlessness and sinful shall be burned up together; and there shall be no extinguisher.
BrentonAnd their strength shall be as a thread of tow, and their works as sparks, and the transgressors and the sinners shall be burnt up together, and there shall be none to quench them.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ἡ ἰσχὺς αὐτῶν ὡς καλάμη στιππύου, καὶ αἱ ἐργασίαι αὐτῶν ὡς σπινθῆρες, καὶ κατακαυθήσονται οἱ ἄνομοι καὶ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἅμα, καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ὁ σβέσων.
KJVAnd the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.
JPSAnd the strong shall be as tow, And his work as a spark; And they shall both burn together, And none shall quench them.