Isaiah
Chapter 56
God tells the people to keep on doing what is right, because his rescue is close. He then promises that foreigners and eunuchs who join themselves to him will not be shut out: they will get a lasting place and name in his house, which he calls a house of prayer for all peoples. The chapter ends by turning on Israel's own leaders, calling them blind watchmen and dogs that will not bark, more interested in drink and profit than in the people they guard.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
1This is what the LORD says: Be fair, and do what is right. My rescue is coming soon, and everyone will see that I do what is right.
2Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
2God is pleased with the person who does this and holds on to it. He keeps the Sabbath day holy, and he keeps his hands from doing evil.
3Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
3A foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD should not say, "The LORD will surely shut me out from his people." And a eunuch should not say, "I am only a dried-up tree."
A eunuch was a man who could not have children, often a servant in a royal court. "A dry tree" means a tree that bears no fruit, so it pictures a man with no children to carry on his name.
4For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
4This is what the LORD says to the eunuchs who keep my Sabbath days, who choose what pleases me, and who hold on to my agreement:
5Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
5In my house and inside my walls I will give them a lasting place and a name. It will be better than having sons and daughters. I will give them a name that lasts forever and is never wiped out.
6Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
6The same is true for foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to serve him and love his name, and to be his servants. This means everyone who keeps the Sabbath holy and holds on to my agreement.
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 people.
7I will bring them to my holy mountain and fill them with joy in my house of prayer. Their offerings and sacrifices will be welcome on my altar. My house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
8The Lord GOD, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
8The Lord GOD, who gathers back the scattered people of Israel, says: I will gather still others to join those I have already gathered.
9All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.
9Come and eat, all you wild animals of the field. Come, all you animals of the forest.
10His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
10Israel's watchmen are blind. None of them knows anything. They are all dogs that cannot bark. They lie around dreaming and love to sleep.
A watchman stood on the city wall to look for danger and shout a warning. A watchdog that will not bark is useless in the same way.
11Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
11They are hungry dogs that are never full. They are shepherds who understand nothing. Every one of them goes his own way, each grabbing what he can get.
12Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
12"Come," they say, "let me get the wine, and we will drink our fill of strong drink. Tomorrow will be like today, or even better!"
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