Isaiah Chapter 56
Blessings for All Nations
1 The LORD says,
“Maintain righteousness and be godly
because my salvation’s coming;
my deliverance will arrive.
2 They are fortunate who do that,
who hold onto it,
who honor my Sabbath
and don’t do anything sinful.
3 Foreigners that join themselves to the LORD shouldn’t say,
‘He’ll surely make a difference between me and his people’;
eunuchs shouldn’t say, ‘I’m a dead tree.’”
4 The LORD says,
“For eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths holy,
choose to do what pleases me,
and keep my covenant—
5 I’ll erect a memorial inside my Temple walls
and inscribe on it a name that’s better than heirs.
Is 56:1-5
6 “Foreigners that join me
to minister to me, love and serve me,
observe my Sabbaths, and keep my covenant—
7 I’ll bring to my holy mountain
and make happy in my Temple for prayer;
I’ll accept their sacrifices and burnt offerings on my altar;
I’ll make my Temple a house for prayer for all nations.”
8 The Lord GOD who brings back the dispersed from Israel, says,
“Still others I’ll bring to those I’ve already gathered.”
Is 56:6-8
Sinful Leaders Condemned
9 All you wild animals in the field and forest,
come and devour my people.
10 The watchmen are blind;
they don’t know what’s going on.
They’re dogs that can’t bark,
always lying around asleep, dreaming.
11 They have huge appetites they can never satisfy;
they’re shepherds that don’t know how to shepherd.
They’ve all turned to their selfish interests,
looking for personal profit.
12 “Come on,” they say, “let’s get some wine
and drink lots of alcohol;
tomorrow let’s do it again—and more so.”
Is 56:9-12