Isaiah 56

1. Here is what Adonai says: 1 “Observe justice, do what is right, 1 for my salvation is close to coming, 1 my righteousness to being revealed.”

2. Happy is the person who does this, 2 anyone who grasps it firmly, 2 who keeps Shabbat and does not profane it, 2 and keeps himself from doing any evil.

3. A foreigner joining Adonai should not say, 3 “Adonai will separate me from his people”; 3 likewise the eunuch should not say, 3 “I am only a dried-up tree.”

4. For here is what Adonai says: 4 “As for the eunuchs who keep my Shabbats, 4 who choose what pleases me 4 and hold fast to my covenant:

5. in my house, within my walls, 5 I will give them power and a name 5 greater than sons and daughters; 5 I will give him an everlasting name 5 that will not be cut off.

6. “And the foreigners who join themselves to Adonai 6 to serve him, to love the name of Adonai, 6 and to be his workers, 6 all who keep Shabbat and do not profane it, 6 and hold fast to my covenant,

7. I will bring them to my holy mountain 7 and make them joyful in my house of prayer; 7 their burnt offerings and sacrifices 7 will be accepted on my altar; 7 for my house will be called 7 a house of prayer for all peoples.”

8. Adonai Elohim says, 8 he who gathers Isra’el’s exiles: 8 “There are yet others I will gather, 8 besides those gathered already.”

9. All you wild animals, come and devour, 9 yes, all you animals in the forest!

10. [Isra’el’s] watchmen are, all of them, blind; 10 they don’t know anything. 10 They are all dumb dogs, unable to bark, 10 lying there dreaming, loving to sleep.

11. Greedy dogs, never satisfied — 11 such are the shepherds, unable to understand; 11 they all turn to their own way, 11 each one intent on his own gain:

12. “Come, I’ll get some wine, 12 we’ll fill up on good, strong liquor! 12 Tomorrow will be like today; 12 in fact, it will be even better!”