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Isaiah 56

Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.

Section 4: A House of PrayerVerses 1 to 8

Section by Section

"Maintain justice and do what is right, for My salvation is coming soon" (56:1).

Some foreigners who followed God feared they would be shut out. Some men who could never have children felt like dry, dead trees.

God says to them: you will have a place in my house, and a name better than sons and daughters.

God will bring foreigners who love him to his holy mountain.

"For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations" (56:7).

"I will gather to them still others besides those already gathered" (56:8).

Modern

1This is what the LORD says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for My salvation is coming soon, and My righteousness will be revealed. 2Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.” 3Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, “The LORD will utterly exclude me from His people.” And let the eunuch not say, “I am but a dry tree.” 4For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant— 5I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. 6And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants— all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant— 7I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.” 8Thus declares the Lord GOD, who gathers the dispersed of Israel: “I will gather to them still others besides those already gathered.”

Between sectionsVerses 9 to 12

Section by Section

This part isn't covered by the guide.

Modern

9Come, all you beasts of the field; eat greedily, all you beasts of the forest. 10Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. 11Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain: 12“Come, let me get the wine, let us imbibe the strong drink, and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!”

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