Study Desk

This is what the Lord says: "Maintain justice^(a) and do what is right,^(b) for my salvation^(c) is close at hand and my righteousness^(d) will soon be revealed.

Blessed^(e) is the one who does this— the person who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath^(f) without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing any evil."

Let no foreigner^(g) who is bound to the Lord say, "The Lord will surely exclude me from his people."^(h) And let no eunuch⁽ⁱ⁾ complain, "I am only a dry tree."

For this is what the Lord says: "To the eunuchs^(j) who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant^(k)—

to them I will give within my temple and its walls^(l) a memorial^(m) and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name⁽ⁿ⁾ that will endure forever.^(o)

And foreigners^(p) who bind themselves to the Lord to minister^(q) to him, to love the name^(r) of the Lord , and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath^(s) without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant—

these I will bring to my holy mountain^(t) and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices^(u) will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.^(v)"^(w)

The Sovereign Lord declares— he who gathers the exiles of Israel: "I will gather^(x) still others to them besides those already gathered."

Come, all you beasts of the field,^(y) come and devour, all you beasts of the forest!

Israel's watchmen^(z) are blind, they all lack knowledge;^(aa) they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep.^(ab)

They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds^(ac) who lack understanding;^(ad) they all turn to their own way,^(ae) they seek their own gain.^(af)

"Come," each one cries, "let me get wine!^(ag) Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better."^(ah)