Isaiah

ISAIAH III

(Trito-Isaiah).

End of Exclusivism

This is what the Lord says:Maintain what is right and do what is just, for my salvation is close at hand, my justice is soon to come.

Blessed is the mortal who does these things and perseveres in them, who does not defile the Sabbath, and who refrains from evil.

Let no foreigner say: “Surely the Lord will exclude me from his people.” Neither let the castrated man say: “I have become a mere dry tree.”

For this is what the Lord says: To the castrated men who keep my Sabbaths, who choose to do what pleases me and remain faithful to my Covenant:

I will give them in my house and within its walls, a memorial and a name worth more than sons and daughters; I will give them a name that will never die or be forgotten.

The Lord says to the foreigners who join him, serving him and loving his name, keeping his Sabbath unprofaned and remaining faithful to his Covenant:

I will bring them to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. I will accept on my altar their burnt offerings and sacrifices, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.

Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the exiles of Israel: There are others I will gather besides those already gathered.

Mute Dogs

All you wild beasts, come and devour, all you beasts of the forests!

Blind are Israel’s watchmen: they all see nothing. They are dumb watchdogs, they are unable to bark. Lying down and dreaming, they love to slumber.

Greedy dogs that are never satisfied; shepherds with no discretion; they all turn their own way, every one of them for his own gain.

“Come, bring wine,” they say: “and let us all get drunk, and tomorrow will be as today, or perhaps even a happier day.”