Isaiah 56

Salvation for Foreigners

1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do righteousness: for my saving health is near to come, and my righteousness to be manifested. 2 Blessed is the man that does this, and the son of man that lays hold on it; that keeps from polluting the sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.

3 Neither let the son of the stranger that has joined himself to the LORD speak, saying, The LORD shall utterly separate me from his people: nor let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 4 For thus has the LORD said unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 even unto them will I give in my 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 never be cut off.

6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and that love the name of the LORD, to be his slaves, every one that keeps from polluting the sabbath, and takes hold of my covenant; 7 even them will I bring to the mountain of my holiness, and refresh them in the house of my prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon my altar; for my house shall be called, House of prayer for all peoples. 8 The Lord GOD who gathers the outcasts of Israel says, I will still gather upon him his gathered ones.

Israel's Irresponsible Leaders

9 All ye beasts of the field, all ye beasts of the forest; come to devour. 10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant; they are all dumb dogs; they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, they love to slumber. 11 And these anxious dogs are insatiable, and even the shepherds did not know enough to understand: they all look to their own ways, each one for his gain, from his quarter. 12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be as this day, or much more excellent.

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