Isaiah’s Commission
(Matthew 13:10–17; Mark 4:10–12; Acts 28:16–31)

1In the year that King Uzziah (my strength is YHWH) died, I saw the Lord {Adonai} seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe (the hem of His robe)a filled the temple. 2Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3And they were calling out to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts;

all the earth is full of His glory.”

4At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke.

5Then I said:

“Woe is me,

for I am ruined,

because I am a man of unclean lips

dwelling among a people of unclean lips;

for my eyes have seen the King,

the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts.”

6Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7And with it he touched my mouth and said:

“Now that this has touched your lips,

your iniquity is removed

and your sin is atoned for.”

8Then I heard the voice of the Lord {Adonai} saying:

“Whom shall I send?

Who will go for Us?”

And I said:

“Here am I. Send me!”

9And He replied:

“Go and tell this people,

‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;

be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’b

10Make the hearts of this people calloused;

deafen their ears and close their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

hear with their ears,

understand with their hearts,

and turn and be healed.c”

11Then I asked:

“How long, O Lord {Adonai}?”

And He replied:

“Until the cities lie ruined

and without inhabitant,

until the houses are left unoccupied

and the land is desolate and ravaged,

12until the LORD {YHWH} has driven men far away

and the land is utterly forsaken.

13And though a tenth remains in the land,

it will be burned again.

As the terebinth and oak leave stumps when felled,

so the holy seed will be a stump in the land.”