Old Testament · Isaiah

Isaiah 56

Salvation for Foreigners

1Thus says the LORD: Keep judgment^a and do righteousness, for my salvation (Yeshuah) is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

2Happy is the man who does this, and the son of man^b who holds it fast, who keeps the Shabbat from profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.
3And let not the son of the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD speak, saying, "The LORD will surely separate me from his people"; neither let the eunuch say, "Behold, I am a dry tree."

4For thus says the LORD to the eunuchs who keep my Shabbat, and choose what pleases me, and hold fast my covenant^c:

5I will give to them in my house and within my walls a hand and a name, better than sons and daughters; an everlasting name I will give him, that shall not be cut off.
6And the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one who keeps the Shabbat from profaning it, and holds fast my covenant—
7I will bring them to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be acceptable upon my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.
8Declares the Lord GOD, who gathers the dispersed of Israel: Yet I will gather others to him, besides his gathered ones.

Israel’s Sinful Leaders

9All you beasts of the field, come to devour, all you beasts in the forest.
10His watchmen are blind, all of them; they do not know; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.
11And the dogs are strong of soul^d, they do not know satisfaction; and these are shepherds who cannot understand; they all turn to their own way, each man^e to his unjust gain, from his end.
12"Come, I will fetch wine, and let us fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be like this day, great, exceedingly abundant."