Judah’s Rebellion
(2 Chronicles 28:5–15)

1  חֲזוֹן֙ (The vision) יְשַֽׁעְיָ֣הוּ (of Isaiah) בֶן־ (son) אָמ֔וֹץ (of Amoz) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (which) חָזָ֔ה (he saw) עַל־ (concerning) יְהוּדָ֖ה (Judah) וִירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (and Jerusalem) בִּימֵ֨י (in the days) עֻזִּיָּ֧הוּ (of Uzziah), יוֹתָ֛ם (Jotham), אָחָ֥ז (Ahaz), יְחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ (and Hezekiah), מַלְכֵ֥י (kings) יְהוּדָֽה׃ (of Judah).

2  שִׁמְע֤וּ (Hear), שָׁמַ֙יִם֙ (O heavens), וְהַאֲזִ֣ינִי (and give ear), אֶ֔רֶץ (O earth),

כִּ֥י (for) יְהוָ֖ה (YHWH) דִּבֵּ֑ר (has spoken):

בָּנִים֙ (Sons) גִּדַּ֣לְתִּי (I have brought up) וְרוֹמַ֔מְתִּי (and raised up),

וְהֵ֖ם (and they) פָּ֥שְׁעוּ (have rebelled) בִֽי׃ (against Me).

3  יָדַ֥ע (Has known) שׁוֹר֙ (An ox) קֹנֵ֔הוּ (his owner)

וַחֲמ֖וֹר (and a donkey) אֵב֣וּס (the trough) בְּעָלָ֑יו (of its master).

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (Israel) לֹ֣א (not) יָדַ֔ע (does know);

עַמִּ֖י (my people) לֹ֥א (not) הִתְבּוֹנָֽן׃ (does understand).

4  ה֣וֹי׀ (Alas) גּ֣וֹי (nation) חֹטֵ֗א (O sinning),

עַ֚ם (a people) כֶּ֣בֶד (heavy) עָוֺ֔ן (with iniquity),

זֶ֣רַע (a seed) מְרֵעִ֔ים (doing evil),

בָּנִ֖ים (sons)— מַשְׁחִיתִ֑ים (bringing corruption)!

עָזְב֣וּ (They have forsaken) אֶת־ (-) יְהוָ֗ה (YHWH);

נִֽאֲצ֛וּ (they have despised) אֶת־ (-) קְד֥וֹשׁ (the Holy One) יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (of Israel);

נָזֹ֥רוּ (they have become estranged) אָחֽוֹר׃ (backward).

5  עַ֣ל (For) מֶ֥ה (what reason) תֻכּ֛וּ (should you⁺ be struck) ע֖וֹד (still)?

תּוֹסִ֣יפוּ (Should you⁺ continue in) סָרָ֑ה (rebellion)!

כָּל־ (The whole) רֹ֣אשׁ (head) לָחֳלִ֔י (is sick),

וְכָל־ (and the whole) לֵבָ֖ב (heart) דַּוָּֽי׃ (is faint).

6  מִכַּף־ (From the sole) רֶ֤גֶל (of the foot) וְעַד־ (and to) רֹאשׁ֙ (the head),

אֵֽין־ (not) בּ֣וֹ (in it) מְתֹ֔ם (is soundness),

פֶּ֥צַע (wounds) וְחַבּוּרָ֖ה (and stripes) וּמַכָּ֣ה (and blows) טְרִיָּ֑ה (fresh);

לֹא־ (not) זֹ֙רוּ֙ (they have been pressed) וְלֹ֣א (and not) חֻבָּ֔שׁוּ (bound up) וְלֹ֥א (and not) רֻכְּכָ֖ה (soothed) בַּשָּֽׁמֶן׃ (with oil).

7  אַרְצְכֶ֣ם (Your⁺ land) שְׁמָמָ֔ה (is a desolation),

עָרֵיכֶ֖ם (your⁺ cities) שְׂרֻפ֣וֹת (burnt) אֵ֑שׁ (with fire),

אַדְמַתְכֶ֗ם (your⁺ ground) לְנֶגְדְּכֶם֙ (in front of you⁺) זָרִים֙ (strangers) אֹכְלִ֣ים (devour) אֹתָ֔הּ (it),

וּשְׁמָמָ֖ה (and it is a desolation), כְּמַהְפֵּכַ֥ת (as overthrown by) זָרִֽים׃ (strangers).

8  וְנוֹתְרָ֥ה (And has been left) בַת־ (the daughter) צִיּ֖וֹן (of Zion)

כְּסֻכָּ֣ה (like a shelter) בְכָ֑רֶם (in a vineyard),

כִּמְלוּנָ֥ה (like a lodge) בְמִקְשָׁ֖ה (in a cucumber field),

כְּעִ֥יר (like a city) נְצוּרָֽה׃ (besieged).

9  לוּלֵי֙ (Unless) יְהוָ֣ה (YHWH) צְבָא֔וֹת (of Hosts)

הוֹתִ֥יר (had left) לָ֛נוּ (to us) שָׂרִ֖יד (remnant) כִּמְעָ֑ט (very small),

כִּסְדֹ֣ם (like Sodom) הָיִ֔ינוּ (we would have become),

לַעֲמֹרָ֖ה (Gomorrah) דָּמִֽינוּ׃ס (we would have resembled).

Meaningless Offerings

10  שִׁמְע֥וּ (Hear) דְבַר־ (the word) יְהוָ֖ה (of YHWH),

קְצִינֵ֣י (chiefs) סְדֹ֑ם (of Sodom);

הַאֲזִ֛ינוּ (give ear) תּוֹרַ֥ת (to the Instruction) אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ (of our God),

עַ֥ם (people) עֲמֹרָֽה׃ (of Gomorrah)!

11  לָמָּה־ (What) לִּ֤י (to Me) רֹב־ (is the multitude) זִבְחֵיכֶם֙ (of your⁺ sacrifices),

יֹאמַ֣ר (says) יְהוָ֔ה (YHWH).

שָׂבַ֛עְתִּי (I have had my fill) עֹל֥וֹת (of burnt offerings) אֵילִ֖ים (of rams),

וְחֵ֣לֶב (and the fat) מְרִיאִ֑ים (of well-fed cattle),

וְדַ֨ם (and in the blood) פָּרִ֧ים (of bulls) וּכְבָשִׂ֛ים (and lambs) וְעַתּוּדִ֖ים (and he-goats)

לֹ֥א (not) חָפָֽצְתִּי׃ (do I take delight).

12  כִּ֣י (When) תָבֹ֔אוּ (you⁺ come) לֵרָא֖וֹת (to appear) פָּנָ֑י (before My face),

מִי־ (who) בִקֵּ֥שׁ (has sought) זֹ֛את (this) מִיֶּדְכֶ֖ם (from your⁺ hand),

רְמֹ֥ס (to trample) חֲצֵרָֽי׃ (My courts)?

13  לֹ֣א (Not) תוֹסִ֗יפוּ (shall you⁺ add) הָבִיא֙ (to bring) מִנְחַת־ (an offering) שָׁ֔וְא (of worthlessness);

קְטֹ֧רֶת (incense) תּוֹעֵבָ֛ה (an abomination) הִ֖יא (it is) לִ֑י (to Me)—

חֹ֤דֶשׁ (New Moons) וְשַׁבָּת֙ (and Sabbaths) קְרֹ֣א (and the calling) מִקְרָ֔א (of assemblies).

לֹא־ (Not) אוּכַ֥ל (I can endure) אָ֖וֶן (iniquity), וַעֲצָרָֽה׃ (in a solemn assembly).

14  חָדְשֵׁיכֶ֤ם (Your⁺ New Moons) וּמוֹעֲדֵיכֶם֙ (and your⁺ appointed times)

שָׂנְאָ֣ה (hates) נַפְשִׁ֔י (My soul);

הָי֥וּ (they have become) עָלַ֖י (My) לָטֹ֑רַח (burden);

נִלְאֵ֖יתִי (I am weary) נְשֹֽׂא׃ (of bearing them).

15  וּבְפָרִשְׂכֶ֣ם (And in your⁺ spreading forth) כַּפֵּיכֶ֗ם (your⁺ hands),

אַעְלִ֤ים (I will hide) עֵינַי֙ (My eyes) מִכֶּ֔ם (from you⁺);

גַּ֛ם (even) כִּֽי־ (though) תַרְבּ֥וּ (you⁺ multiply) תְפִלָּ֖ה (prayers),

אֵינֶ֣נִּי (I not) שֹׁמֵ֑עַ (will be listening).

יְדֵיכֶ֖ם (Your⁺ hands) דָּמִ֥ים (of blood) מָלֵֽאוּ׃ (are full).

16  רַחֲצוּ֙ (Wash); הִזַּכּ֔וּ (cleanse yourselves).

הָסִ֛ירוּ (Turn aside) רֹ֥עַ (the evil) מַעַלְלֵיכֶ֖ם (of your⁺ deeds) מִנֶּ֣גֶד (from before) עֵינָ֑י (My eyes);

חִדְל֖וּ (Cease) הָרֵֽעַ׃ (to do evil)!

17  לִמְד֥וּ (Learn) הֵיטֵ֛ב (to do good),

דִּרְשׁ֥וּ (seek) מִשְׁפָּ֖ט (justice), אַשְּׁר֣וּ (rebuke) חָמ֑וֹץ (the oppressor),

שִׁפְט֣וּ (bring justice) יָת֔וֹם (for the fatherless),

רִ֖יבוּ (contend) אַלְמָנָֽה׃ס (for the widow).

18  לְכוּ־ (Come) נָ֛א (now), וְנִוָּֽכְחָ֖ה (and let us reason together),

יֹאמַ֣ר (says) יְהוָ֑ה (YHWH).

אִם־ (Though) יִֽהְי֨וּ (may be) חֲטָאֵיכֶ֤ם (your⁺ sins) כַּשָּׁנִים֙ (like scarlet),

כַּשֶּׁ֣לֶג (like snow), יַלְבִּ֔ינוּ (they will be white);

אִם־ (though) יַאְדִּ֥ימוּ (they are red) כַתּוֹלָ֖ע (like crimson),

כַּצֶּ֥מֶר (like wool) יִהְיֽוּ׃ (they will become).

19  אִם־ (If) תֹּאב֖וּ (you⁺ are willing) וּשְׁמַעְתֶּ֑ם (and obey),

ט֥וּב (then the good) הָאָ֖רֶץ (of the land) תֹּאכֵֽלוּ׃ (you⁺ will eat).

20  וְאִם־ (And if) תְּמָאֲנ֖וּ (you⁺ refuse) וּמְרִיתֶ֑ם (and rebel),

חֶ֣רֶב (by the sword) תְּאֻכְּל֔וּ (you⁺ will be devoured).

כִּ֛י (For) פִּ֥י (the mouth) יְהוָ֖ה (of YHWH) דִּבֵּֽר׃ס (has spoken).

The Corruption of Zion

21  אֵיכָה֙ (How) הָיְתָ֣ה (has become) לְזוֹנָ֔ה (like a prostitute) קִרְיָ֖ה (the city) נֶאֱמָנָ֑ה (faithful)!

מְלֵאֲתִ֣י (She was full) מִשְׁפָּ֗ט (of justice);

צֶ֛דֶק (righteousness) יָלִ֥ין (lodged) בָּ֖הּ (with her),

וְעַתָּ֥ה (and now) מְרַצְּחִֽים׃ (murderers are there).

22  כַּסְפֵּ֖ךְ (Your silver) הָיָ֣ה (has become) לְסִיגִ֑ים (as dross),

סָבְאֵ֖ךְ (your wine) מָה֥וּל (is weakened) בַּמָּֽיִם׃ (with water).

23  שָׂרַ֣יִךְ (Your princes) סוֹרְרִ֗ים (are rebels),

וְחַבְרֵי֙ (and companions) גַּנָּבִ֔ים (of thieves).

כֻּלּוֹ֙ (Everyone) אֹהֵ֣ב (is loving) שֹׁ֔חַד (a bribe),

וְרֹדֵ֖ף (and pursuing) שַׁלְמֹנִ֑ים (rewards).

יָתוֹם֙ (The fatherless) לֹ֣א (not) יִשְׁפֹּ֔טוּ (do they defend),

וְרִ֥יב (and the case) אַלְמָנָ֖ה (of the widow) לֹֽא־ (not) יָב֥וֹא (does come) אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃פ (to them).

24  לָכֵ֗ן (Thus) נְאֻ֤ם (is the declaration) הָֽאָדוֹן֙ (of the Lord), יְהוָ֣ה (YHWH of) צְבָא֔וֹת (hosts),

אֲבִ֖יר (the Mighty One) יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (of Israel),

ה֚וֹי (Ah), אֶנָּחֵ֣ם (I shall be relieved) מִצָּרַ֔י (from My adversaries),

וְאִנָּקְמָ֖ה (and avenge Myself) מֵאוֹיְבָֽי׃ (on My enemies);

25  וְאָשִׁ֤יבָה (and I will turn) יָדִי֙ (My hand) עָלַ֔יִךְ (against you)

וְאֶצְרֹ֥ף (and will refine) כַּבֹּ֖ר (as with lye) סִיגָ֑יִךְ (your dross),

וְאָסִ֖ירָה (and I will turn aside) כָּל־ (all) בְּדִילָֽיִךְ׃ (your alloys).

26  וְאָשִׁ֤יבָה (And I will restore) שֹׁפְטַ֙יִךְ֙ (your judges) כְּבָרִ֣אשֹׁנָ֔ה (as at the first),

וְיֹעֲצַ֖יִךְ (and your counselors) כְּבַתְּחִלָּ֑ה (as at the beginning).

אַחֲרֵי־ (After) כֵ֗ן (this) יִקָּ֤רֵא (it shall be called) לָךְ֙ (for you) עִ֣יר (the city) הַצֶּ֔דֶק (of righteousness)—

קִרְיָ֖ה (City) נֶאֱמָנָֽה׃ (the Faithful).

27  צִיּ֖וֹן (ZIon) בְּמִשְׁפָּ֣ט (with justice) תִּפָּדֶ֑ה (shall be redeemed),

וְשָׁבֶ֖יהָ (and her repentant ones) בִּצְדָקָֽה׃ (with righteousness).

28  וְשֶׁ֧בֶר (And the breaking) פֹּשְׁעִ֛ים (of rebels) וְחַטָּאִ֖ים (and sinners) יַחְדָּ֑ו (will be together),

וְעֹזְבֵ֥י (and those abandoning) יְהוָ֖ה (YHWH) יִכְלֽוּ׃ (will be consumed).

29  כִּ֣י (For) יֵבֹ֔שׁוּ (they will be ashamed) מֵאֵילִ֖ים (of the Oaks)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר (that) חֲמַדְתֶּ֑ם (you⁺ have desired),

וְתַ֨חְפְּר֔וּ (and you⁺ will be embarrassed) מֵהַגַּנּ֖וֹת (by the gardens)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר (that) בְּחַרְתֶּֽם׃ (you⁺ have chosen).

30  כִּ֣י (For) תִֽהְי֔וּ (you⁺ will be) כְּאֵלָ֖ה (like an oak) נֹבֶ֣לֶת (at the withering) עָלֶ֑הָ (of its leaf),

וּֽכְגַנָּ֔ה (and a garden) אֲשֶׁר־ (that) מַ֖יִם (water) אֵ֥ין (there is no) לָֽהּ׃ (for it).

31  וְהָיָ֤ה (Will become) הֶחָסֹן֙ (the strong one) לִנְעֹ֔רֶת (as tinder),

וּפֹעֲל֖וֹ (and his work) לְנִיצ֑וֹץ (as a spark),

וּבָעֲר֧וּ (and will burn) שְׁנֵיהֶ֛ם (both of them) יַחְדָּ֖ו (together),

וְאֵ֥ין (and none) מְכַבֶּֽה׃ס (will quench them).