Isaiah 56

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

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.

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.

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;

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.

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;

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.

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

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

10His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.footnote c

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.footnote dfootnote e

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.

Salvation for Foreigners

1This is what the LORD says:“Maintain justice and do what is right,for My salvation is coming soon,and My righteousness will be revealed. 2Blessed is the man who does this,and the son of man who holds it fast,who keeps the Sabbath without profaning itand keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

3Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say,“The LORD will utterly exclude me from His people.”And let the eunuch not say,“I am but a dry tree.”

4For this is what the LORD says:“To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths,who choose what pleases Meand hold fast to My covenant— 5I will give them, in My house and within My walls,a memorial and a namebetter than that of sons and daughters.I will give them an everlasting namethat will not be cut off.

6And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORDto minister to Him,to love the name of the LORD,and to be His servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning itand who hold fast to My covenant— 7I will bring them to My holy mountainand make them joyful in My house of prayer.Their burnt offerings and sacrificeswill be accepted on My altar,for My house will be called a house of prayerfootnote afor all the nations.”

8Thus declares the Lord GOD,who gathers the dispersed of Israel:“I will gather to them still othersbesides those already gathered.”

Israel’s Sinful Leaders

9Come, all you beasts of the field;eat greedily, all you beasts of the forest. 10Israel’s watchmen are blind,they are all oblivious;they are all mute dogs,they cannot bark;they are dreamers lying around,loving to slumber. 11Like ravenous dogs,they are never satisfied.They are shepherds with no discernment;they all turn to their own way,each one seeking his own gain: 12“Come, let me get the wine,let us imbibe the strong drink,and tomorrow will be like today,only far better!”