Isa 56 | HCSB | STEP | This is what the Lord says : Preserve justice and do what is right , for My salvation is coming soon , and My righteousness will be revealed .

‏ Isaiah 56

A House of Prayer for All

1 This is what the Lord says:

Preserve justice and do what is right, ^a
for My salvation is coming soon,
and My righteousness will be revealed. ^b
2 Happy is the man who does this,
anyone who maintains this,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
and keeps his hand from doing any evil. ^c

3 No foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord
should say,
“The Lord will exclude me from His people”; ^d
and the eunuch should not say,
“Look, I am a dried-up tree.” ^e
4 For the Lord says this:
“For the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths,
and choose what pleases Me,
and hold firmly to My covenant,
5 I will give them, in My house and within My walls,
a memorial and a name
better than sons and daughters.
I will give each of them an everlasting name
that will never be cut off. ^f
6 And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord
minister to Him, love the name of ^{▼▼Yahweh/Yah: Or The Lord; the personal name of God in Hebrew; "Yah" is the shortened form of the name.}Yahweh
and become His servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold firmly to My covenant –
7 I will bring them to My holy mountain ^h
and let them rejoice in My house of prayer.
Their ^{▼▼burnt offering(s): Or holocaust, an offering completely burned to ashes; it was used in connection with worship, seeking God's favor, expiating sin, or averting judgment.}burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be acceptable on My altar, ^j
for My house will be called a house of prayer
for all nations.” ^k 8
This is the declaration of the Lord God,

who gathers the dispersed of Israel:

“I will gather to them still others
besides those already gathered.” ^l

Unrighteous Leaders Condemned

9 All you animals of the field and forest,
come and eat!
10 Israel’s ^{▼▼Or His, or Its} watchmen are blind, all of them,
they know nothing;
all of them are mute dogs,
they cannot bark;
they dream, lie down,
and love to sleep.
11 These dogs have fierce appetites;
they never have enough.
And they are shepherds
who have no discernment;
all of them turn to their own way,
every last one for his own gain. ⁿ
12 “Come, let me get some wine,
let’s guzzle some beer;
and tomorrow will be like today,
only far better!” ^o