Isaiah 56

1Thus saith the LORD , Keep ye judgement, and do righteousness: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

2Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that holdeth fast by it; that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

3Neither let the stranger, that hath 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 saith the LORD of the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and hold fast by my covenant:

5Unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters; I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

6Also the strangers, that join themselves to the LORD , to minister unto him, and to love the name of the LORD , to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and holdeth fast by my covenant;

7even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar: for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all peoples.

8The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside his own that are gathered.

9All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea , all ye beasts in the forest.

10His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.

11Yea, the dogs are greedy, they can never have enough; and these are shepherds that cannot understand: they have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.

12Come ye, say they , I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be as this day, a day great beyond measure.

historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society
Published by: British & Foreign Bible Society