Isaiah Chapter 66
Judgment and Hope
66:1The LORD says,
“Heaven is my throne; earth is my footstool;
where are you going to build me a Temple to rest in?
2 I made all this;
that’s why it’s here.
But the ones I especially love
are humble with a repentant spirit
and respect what I say.
Is 66:1-2
3 “But for the ones who’ve chosen their own way
and delight in detestable things,
offering an ox will be like human sacrifice,
sacrificing a lamb will be like breaking a dog’s neck,
offering a grain offering will be like offering pig’s blood,
burning incense will be like blessing an idol.
4 I’ll carry out their punishments
and bring on them what they dread;
because I called, but nobody answered;
I spoke, but they ignored me.
They did what I consider sinful
and chose what I don’t delight in.”
Is 66:3-4
5 Listen to this message from the LORD,
you that respect what he says,
“Your brothers that hate you and exclude you
because you’re loyal to me, have scoffed,
‘Honor the LORD so we can see how happy he makes you!’
But they’re the ones that will be humiliated.
6 The uproar in the city and the Temple
is the LORD paying back his enemies.
Is 66:5-6
7 “Before she travailed, she brought forth;
before her pain came, she had a boy.
8 Who ever heard of such a thing?
Who has seen anything like that?
Can a country be born in a day?
Can a nation be brought forth all at once?
But as soon as Zion’s travail began,
she brought forth her children.
9 Would I bring to term and not deliver?
Would I that give delivery shut the womb?
10 Be joyful over Jerusalem, you that love her;
be happy with her, you that mourn for her;
11 so you can be satisfied by her consoling breasts,
nurse and be delighted by her bountiful bosom.”
Is 66:7-11
12 This is what the LORD says,
“I extend peace to her like a river,
the wealth of nations like an overflowing stream.
She’ll nurse you and carry you on her hip,
and play with you on her lap.
13 I’ll comfort you like a mother does;
I’ll comfort you in Jerusalem.”
14 When you experience it, you’ll be happy;
you’ll flourish like new grass.
The LORD’s servants will realize what he’s doing;
his enemies will experience his indignation.
Is 66:12-14
15 He will come in fire;
his chariots will rush in like a windstorm
to render his anger with fury,
to rebuke with flames.
16 He’ll condemn by fire and sword;
the number he slays will be countless.
Is 66:15-16
17 “Those who ‘sanctify and purify’ themselves to enter sacred gardens with idols in the center, that eat pig meat and disgusting things like mice, will all come to their end at the same time. 18 I know what they’re thinking; I can see what they’re doing. The time’s coming to gather all nations to see my glory. 19 I’ll perform a sign among them and send survivors out from them to the nations—to Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Rosh, Tubal, Javan, and distant lands that have never heard of me. 20 From all the countries they’ll bring me your people as a grain offering. On horses, mules, and camels; in chariots and litter wagons they’ll bring them to my holy mountain Jerusalem,” the LORD says. 66:17-20
21 “1’ll make some of them priests and Levites.”
22 As surely as the new earth and sky will last,
your descendants and name will endure.
23-24 Every new moon and Sabbath,
all humanity will come to bow to me.
When they leave, they’ll see the corpses of those
who’ve rebelled against me.
The maggots won’t die;
the fire won’t go out.
They’ll be repulsive to everybody that sees them,” the LORD says.
Is 66:21-24
Version by Virgil Warren: christir.org