What does Isaias Chapter 1 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

The chapter’s particular figures and sequence remain attributed to its speaker. Every admitted unit is retained, with edition annotations separately labeled. No imported scenes, outcome guarantees or broad doctrines replace local wording.

Chapter breakdown

Isaias 1 identifies a vision concerning Juda and Jerusalem during four kings' reigns. The Lord charges the children he raised with rebellion; ox and ass know owner and crib, while Israel fails to know. Bodily wounds, sadness, a devastated land and Sion's exposed shelters describe the nation's condition. A surviving seed prevents a comparison with Sodom and Gomorrha from becoming complete destruction.

Rulers and people are addressed with those cities' names. Sacrifices, incense, festivals and assemblies are rejected alongside hands full of blood; multiplied prayer does not erase that charge. Commands follow to wash, cease evil, learn good, seek judgment, relieve oppression, judge for the fatherless and defend the widow. The admitted wording then says to come and accuse me. Scarlet and crimson sins are compared with snow and white wool, followed by conditions of willingness or resistance.

The once-faithful city is compared with a harlot. Silver becomes dross and wine is mixed with water; rulers associate with thieves, pursue bribes and neglect the fatherless and widow. The Lord announces revenge, purging of dross and tin and restored judges and counsellors. Sion's redemption accompanies judgment, while forsakers face destruction. Shame over idols and gardens, a leaf-fallen oak, a waterless garden and tow ignited by a spark close the warning.

The story inside

Opening: The chapter’s particular figures and sequence remain attributed to its speaker. Development: Every admitted unit is retained, with edition annotations separately labeled. Conclusion: No imported scenes, outcome guarantees or broad doctrines replace local wording.

Lessons worth keeping

1
The chapter’s particular figures and sequence remain attributed to its speaker.
2
Every admitted unit is retained, with edition annotations separately labeled.
3
No imported scenes, outcome guarantees or broad doctrines replace local wording.

Test your recall

Which images and requests does the speaker use, and what does the chapter leave unresolved?

Source edition and notes

Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.

Lines 78560–78561
1:3. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel hath not known me, and my people hath not understood.
Lines 78612–78614
1:18. And then come, and accuse me, saith the Lord: if your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow: and if they be red as crimson, they shall be white as wool.