Isaiah 66

The Lord Looks for a Humble Heart

1 This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house can you build for Me, where could My resting place be?”

2 “My hand made all these things. That is why everything exists?” Declares the Lord. “I look to the one who is humble, broken in spirit, and trembles at My word.”

Empty Religion Rejected

3 Whoever sacrifices an ox is like someone who kills a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like someone who breaks a dog’s neck. Whoever offers a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood. Whoever burns incense is like one who blesses an idol. These people chose their own ways, and their souls delight in their disgusting practices.

4 So I will choose harsh treatment for them and bring on them what they fear, because I called and no one answered; I spoke and they did not listen. They did what was evil in My sight and chose what I did not delight in.

God’s True People Vindicated

5 Listen to the word of the Lord, you who tremble at His word: “Your own brothers who hate you and exclude you because of My name said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified so we can see your joy.’ but they, not you, will be put to shame.”

6 A sound from the city! A sound from the temple! The sound of the Lord repaying His enemies what they deserve.

A Nation Born in a Moment

7 Before she went into labor, she gave birth. Before her pain came, she delivered a son.

8 Who has ever heard of such a thing, can a nation be born in one moment, yet Zion gave birth to her children as soon as labor began.

9 “Would I bring you to the moment of birth and not deliver?” says the Lord. “Would I shut the womb when it is time to bring forth?” says your God.

Joy for Jerusalem

10 Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her. Rejoice with her all you who mourned over her.

11 Drink deeply and be satisfied from her comforting breast; drink and be delighted from her overflowing glory.

12 This is what the Lord says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream. You will be nursed, carried on the hip, and bounced on the knees.”

13 “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; you will be comforted in Jerusalem.”

14 You will see this and your heart will rejoice; your bones will flourish like grass. The Lord’s hand will be known to His servants, but His anger will be against His enemies.

Final Judgment

15 The Lord will come with fire, and His chariots like a whirlwind, to bring His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire.

16 With fire and His sword the Lord will judge all people, and many will be slain by the Lord.

17 Those who set themselves apart for idol rituals in the gardens, following the one in the center, eating pig meat, rats, and other unclean things. They will all meet their end together, declares the Lord.

All Nations Will Worship the Lord

18 “I know their works and their thoughts. I am coming to gather all nations and languages, and they will come and see My glory.”

19 “I will put a sign among them, and send survivors to the nations. To Tarshish, Put, Lud, Tubal, Javan, and the distant islands who never heard of Me or seen My glory. They will proclaim My glory among the nations.”

20 “They will bring all your people from every nation as an offering to the Lord. On horses, chariots, wagons, mules, and camels. To My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the Lord. “They will bring them like Israelites bring grain offerings in clean vessels to the house of the Lord.”

21 “And I will choose some of them to be priests and Levites?” Says the Lord.

New Creation Forever

22 “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will remain before Me?” Declares the Lord, “so will your descendants and your name remain.”

23 From month to month and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all people will come to worship before Me,” says the Lord.

Final Word

24 “And they will go out and look at the dead bodies of those who rebelled against Me. Their worm will not die, their fire will not be quenched, and they will be hated by everyone.”