Isaiah 63

1Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.footnote a

2Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?

3I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

4For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

5And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.

6And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

7I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

8For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.

9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

10But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.

11Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?footnote b

12That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?

13That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?

14As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.

15Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?footnote c

16Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.footnote d

17O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

18The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.

19We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.footnote e

God’s Vengeance on the Nations

1Who is this coming from Edom,from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments?Who is this robed in splendor,marching in the greatness of His strength?“It is I, proclaiming vindication,footnote amighty to save.”

2Why are Your clothes red,and Your garments like one who treads the winepress?

3“I have trodden the winepress alone,and no one from the nations was with Me.I trampled them in My angerand trod them down in My fury;their blood spattered My garments,and all My clothes were stained. 4For the day of vengeance was in My heart,and the year of My redemption had come. 5I looked, but there was no one to help;I was appalled that no one assisted.So My arm brought Me salvation,and My own wrath upheld Me. 6I trampled the nations in My anger;in My wrath I made them drunkand poured out their blood on the ground.”

God’s Mercies Recalled

7I will make known the LORD’s loving devotionand His praiseworthy acts,because of all that the LORD has done for us—the many good things for the house of Israelaccording to His great compassion and loving devotion.

8For He said, “They are surely My people,sons who will not be disloyal.”So He became their Savior. 9In all their distress, He too was afflicted,and the Angel of His Presencefootnote bsaved them.In His love and compassion He redeemed them;He lifted them up and carried themall the days of old.

10But they rebelledand grieved His Holy Spirit.So He turned and became their enemy,and He Himself fought against them.

11Then His people remembered the days of old,the days of Moses.Where is He who brought them through the seawith the shepherds of His flock?Where is the One who setHis Holy Spirit among them, 12who sent His glorious armto lead them by the right hand of Moses,who divided the waters before themto gain for Himself everlasting renown, 13who led them through the depthslike a horse in the wilderness,so that they did not stumble? 14Like cattle going down to the valley,the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest.You led Your people this wayto make for Yourself a glorious name.

A Prayer for Mercy

15Look down from heaven and see,from Your holy and glorious habitation.Where are Your zeal and might?Your yearning and compassion for me are restrained. 16Yet You are our Father,though Abraham does not know usand Israel does not acknowledge us.You, O LORD, are our Father;our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name.

17Why, O LORD, do You make us stray from Your waysand harden our hearts from fearing You?Return, for the sake of Your servants,the tribes of Your heritage. 18For a short while Your people possessed Your holy place,but our enemies have trampled Your sanctuary. 19We have become like those You never ruled,like those not called by Your name.