Isaiah 65

The LORD says:
I answered questions no one asked.
I visited where I wasn’t invited.
I said, “Here I am. I’m right here now.”
No one knew who I was.
2All day long I reached out to people.

All day long they brushed me off.
They went about their business, Doing whatever they wanted to do.
3And what they wanted to do was provoke me.
They sacrifice in gardens. [1]
They burn incense on bricks.
4They sit in tombs with the dead. [2]
They sleep in places they won’t talk about. [3]
The eat the forbidden pork [4]
And drink forbidden drinks. [5]
5Yet they tell others, “Keep your distance.
I’m holy and don’t want you to contaminate me.”
Hypocrites like that are as irritating
As sour smoke up your nose all day long.
6I have it in writing:
I don’t have to suffer their sins in silence.
I’ll make them suffer the consequences.
7And I’ll make them pay for the sins of their ancestors.
Yes, they’ll pay for that, too.
They burned incense on the mountains.
For worshiping idols like that,
They’ll pay the premium price.
They get no discount this time.
8But there’s an old saying:
“If there’s a grape left on the cluster,
Don’t throw it all away.
There’s still a blessing in there somewhere.”
So, when the grapes face my wrath,
I won’t destroy them all.
9I’ll leave some of Jacob’s family. [6]
Judah will inherit the hills
And settle in this land.
10The Plain of Sharon will feed the flocks.
Achor Valley will bed the herds
Of people who follow me.

But there’s a different future
For you who don’t worship on my sacred mountain. [7]
You set up a meal for the god called Good Luck.
You serve blended wine to the god called Destiny.
12Here’s what I’ll serve you: sword and slaughter.
Here’s why: When I called, you didn’t answer.
When I talked, you didn’t listen.
You did what you knew was wrong.
You did what you knew I didn’t like.
13The LORD says this:
My obedient people will eat.
You’ll go hungry.
My people will drink.
You’ll get thirsty.
My people will celebrate.
You’ll be ashamed.
14My people will sing their hearts out.
You will cry your eyes out.
You’ll sob and howl in pain.
15My people will remember your name.
But they’ll use it when they cuss.
You won’t know it because you’ll be dead,
The LORD God will see to it.
My people, however, get a new name. [8]
16Whoever asks for a blessing
Will ask the dependable God.
Whoever swears an oath
Will swear by the reliable God.
And God will forget their sins of the past.

I’m going to make new heavens
And a new earth.
The past will be forgotten,
Never thought about again.
18So, celebrate what I am doing,
And never lose your sense of joy.
I’ll make Jerusalem a happy town,
A delightful destination for people to enjoy.
19Jerusalem will make me happy.
The people will delight.
Crying time is over.
You’ll be crying there no more.
20Children won’t die as babies.
Elders won’t die too young.
People who live 100 years
Will be considered youngsters.
People who die before then
Will be considered sinners. [9]
21They’ll build houses and live there.
They’ll plant vineyards and eat the grapes.
22They won’t build houses for others.
They won’t work another’s farm.
They’ll live as long as trees
And outlive whatever they make.
23They won’t work for nothing.
Their children won’t face terror.
The children are their future, blessed by God.
So, they’ll get to keep their children.
24Before they pray, I’ll answer.
While they pray, I’ll answer.
25The LORD says,
Wolves and lambs will eat together.
Lions will eat straw, like cattle.
Low-down snakes will still eat dust,
But they’ll do no harm on my holy hill.