Isaiah 1:17
New International Version
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

New Living Translation
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.

English Standard Version
learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.

Berean Standard Bible
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

King James Bible
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

New King James Version
Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.

New American Standard Bible
Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor, Obtain justice for the orphan, Plead for the widow’s case.

NASB 1995
Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.

NASB 1977
Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless; Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.

Legacy Standard Bible
Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Execute justice for the orphan, Plead for the widow.

Amplified Bible
Learn to do good. Seek justice, Rebuke the ruthless, Defend the fatherless, Plead for the [rights of the] widow [in court].

Christian Standard Bible
Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Learn to do what is good. Seek justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.”

American Standard Version
learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Contemporary English Version
and learn to live right. See that justice is done. Defend widows and orphans and help the oppressed."

English Revised Version
learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Arrest oppressors. Defend orphans. Plead the case of widows."

Good News Translation
and learn to do right. See that justice is done--help those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights, and defend widows."

International Standard Version
Learn to practice what is good; seek justice, alleviate oppression, defend orphans in court, and plead the widow's case.

Majority Standard Bible
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.?

NET Bible
Learn to do what is right! Promote justice! Give the oppressed reason to celebrate! Take up the cause of the orphan! Defend the rights of the widow!

New Heart English Bible
Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Judge the fatherless. Plead for the widow."

Webster's Bible Translation
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

World English Bible
Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Defend the fatherless. Plead for the widow.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Seek judgment, make the oppressed blessed, "" Judge the fatherless, strive [for] the widow.

Young's Literal Translation
Seek judgment, make happy the oppressed, Judge the fatherless, strive for the widow.

Smith's Literal Translation
Learn to do good; seek out judgment, lead right the oppressor, judge the orphan, contend for the widow.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Learn to do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge for the fatherless, defend the widow.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Learn to do good. Seek judgment, support the oppressed, judge for the orphan, defend the widow.

New American Bible
learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.

New Revised Standard Version
learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Learn to do good; seek justice, do good to the oppressed, plead for the fatherless, plead for the widows.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And learn to do good. Search for judgment and do good to the oppressed; do justice for orphans and do justice for widows
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Learn to do well; Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, Judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
learn to do well; diligently seek judgement, deliver him that is suffering wrong, plead for the orphan, and obtain justice for the widow.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Meaningless Offerings
16Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! 17Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” 18“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.…

Cross References
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Proverbs 31:8-9
Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. / Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Zechariah 7:9-10
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’

Jeremiah 22:3
This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.

Amos 5:14-15
Seek good, not evil, so that you may live. And the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have claimed. / Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”

Luke 11:42
Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.

Deuteronomy 10:18
He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing.

Psalm 82:3-4
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.

Matthew 25:35-36
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’

Hosea 12:6
But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and always wait on your God.

Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Job 29:12-17
because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper. / The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. / I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban. ...

1 John 3:17-18
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.


Treasury of Scripture

Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

seek

Isaiah 1:23
Thy 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.

Psalm 82:3,4
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy…

Proverbs 31:9
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

relieve.

Jump to Previous
Case Cause Child Correct Cruel Decision Defend Encourage Fatherless Good Happy Judge Judgment Justice Learn Oppressed Oppression Orphan Plead Pleasure Relieve Reprove Right Ruthless Seek Strive Upright Ways Well-Doing Widow
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Case Cause Child Correct Cruel Decision Defend Encourage Fatherless Good Happy Judge Judgment Justice Learn Oppressed Oppression Orphan Plead Pleasure Relieve Reprove Right Ruthless Seek Strive Upright Ways Well-Doing Widow
Isaiah 1
1. Isaiah complains of Judah for her rebellion
5. He laments her judgments
10. He upbraids their whole service
16. He exhorts to repentance, with promises and threats
21. Bewailing their wickedness, he denounces God's judgments
25. He promises grace
28. And threatens destruction to the wicked














Learn to do right
The phrase "Learn to do right" calls for an active pursuit of righteousness. The Hebrew word for "learn" is "לָמַד" (lamad), which implies a process of acquiring knowledge or skill through instruction and practice. This suggests that doing right is not innate but requires intentional effort and discipline. In the historical context of Isaiah, the Israelites were often admonished for their failure to adhere to God's laws. This call to learn indicates a need for transformation and growth in understanding God's will.

Seek justice
"Seek justice" emphasizes the pursuit of fairness and equity. The Hebrew word for "seek" is "דָּרַשׁ" (darash), meaning to inquire or search diligently. Justice, or "מִשְׁפָּט" (mishpat), is a central theme in the Old Testament, reflecting God's character as a just ruler. In ancient Israel, justice was not merely a legal concept but a divine mandate to ensure the well-being of the community, especially the vulnerable. This phrase challenges believers to actively pursue justice as a reflection of God's kingdom on earth.

Correct the oppressor
The phrase "Correct the oppressor" involves confronting and rectifying wrongs. The Hebrew word for "correct" is "יָשַׁר" (yashar), which means to make straight or right. This implies a proactive stance against those who exploit or harm others. Historically, Israel was called to be a light to the nations, embodying God's justice and mercy. This command underscores the responsibility of God's people to stand against oppression and advocate for the oppressed, aligning with the prophetic tradition of speaking truth to power.

Defend the fatherless
"Defend the fatherless" highlights the call to protect and support orphans, who were among the most vulnerable in ancient society. The Hebrew word for "defend" is "רִיב" (rib), which means to contend or plead the cause of someone. The fatherless, or "יָתוֹם" (yatom), often lacked protection and provision, making them susceptible to exploitation. This phrase reflects God's heart for the marginalized and His command for His people to act as guardians and advocates for those without a voice.

Plead the case of the widow
"Plead the case of the widow" continues the theme of advocating for the vulnerable. The Hebrew word for "plead" is "רִיב" (rib), similar to "defend," indicating a legal or formal advocacy. Widows, like orphans, were often left without support or rights. In the patriarchal society of ancient Israel, widows were particularly at risk of injustice. This command calls believers to actively engage in defending the rights of those who cannot defend themselves, embodying God's compassion and justice.

(17) Relieve the oppressed.--More accurately, correct the oppressor. The prophet calls on the rulers not merely to acts of benevolence, but to the courageous exercise of their authority to restrain the wrong-doing of the men of their own order. We are reminded of what Shakespeare says of Time, that it is his work--

"To wrong the wronger till he render right."

(Rape of Lucrece.)

Judge the fatherless.--The words are still primarily addressed to men in office. They are told that they must be true to their calling, and that the "fatherless" and the "widow," as the typical instances of the defenceless, ought to find an advocate in the judge.

Verse 17. - Learn to do well. Now comes the positive; first, in the general form" learn," etc.; which resembles the apostle's "Put on the armor of light" (Romans 13:12). Then follow the particulars. Seek judgment; or, seek out justice; i.e. endeavor to get justice done to all men; see that they "have right." Relieve the oppressed. So the LXX., the Vulgate, the Syriac, and the Chaldean Versions. But the word translated "oppressed" is thought by many to mean "oppressor" (Kimchi, Gesenius, Cheyne). This is certainly its meaning in Psalm 71:4. Translate, tighten the oppressor; i.e. correct and chasten him. Judge the fatherless; rather, do justice to the orphan (Cheyne); see that he is not wronged - be his champion. Plead for the widow; i.e. plead her cause in the courts; or, if judge, and she have no advocate, lean towards her, as if her advocate. The widow and the orphan were taken under God's special protection from the time of Moses, and constantly commended to the tender care of the righteous (Exodus 22:22-24; Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 24:17; Deuteronomy 27:19, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Learn
לִמְד֥וּ (lim·ḏū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3925: To exercise in, learn

to do right,
הֵיטֵ֛ב (hê·ṭêḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 3190: To be good, well, glad, or pleasing

seek
דִּרְשׁ֥וּ (dir·šū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

justice,
מִשְׁפָּ֖ט (miš·pāṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

correct
אַשְּׁר֣וּ (’aš·šə·rū)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 833: To be straight, to go forward, be honest, proper

the oppressor,
חָמ֑וֹץ (ḥā·mō·wṣ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2541: The ruthless (ones)

defend
שִׁפְט֣וּ (šip̄·ṭū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

the fatherless,
יָת֔וֹם (yā·ṯō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3490: A bereaved person

plead
רִ֖יבוּ (rî·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7378: To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend

for the widow.”
אַלְמָנָֽה׃ (’al·mā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 490: A widow, a desolate place


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do well (Isa Isi Is)
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