Isaiah 65

King James Version

Full text for Isaiah Chapter 65

1¶ I am sought of [them that] asked not [for me]; I am found of [them that] sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation [that] was not called by my name.

2I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way [that was] not good, after their own thoughts;

3A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;

4Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable [things is in] their vessels;

5Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These [are] a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

6Behold, [it is] written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,

7Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.

8¶ Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and [one] saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing [is] in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.

9And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.

10And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.

11¶ But ye [are] they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.

12Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose [that] wherein I delighted not.

13Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:

14Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.

15And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:

16That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.

17¶ For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

18But be ye glad and rejoice for ever [in that] which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

19And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

20There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner [being] an hundred years old shall be accursed.

21And they shall build houses, and inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.

22They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree [are] the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

23They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they [are] the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.

24And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

25The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust [shall be] the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The LORD reveals His availability to those who did not seek Him, while lamenting the continuous rebellion and idolatry of His chosen people. He declares judgment upon the disobedient but promises to preserve a remnant for His servants' sake. Ultimately, He foretells the creation of new heavens and a new earth, where Jerusalem will be a place of everlasting joy, peace, and prosperity.

Medium Summary

Isaiah 65 opens with the LORD expressing His accessibility to a nation not called by His name, contrasting this with the persistent rebellion of His own people. He describes their provocations, including idolatrous practices in gardens, grave-dwelling, and eating forbidden foods, all while claiming self-righteousness. The LORD declares that He will not remain silent but will recompense their iniquities and those of their fathers. However, He also promises to preserve a remnant, like new wine in a cluster, ensuring a seed from Jacob and Judah will inherit His mountains. A stark contrast is drawn between the fate of the rebellious, who will face the sword, hunger, and sorrow, and His servants, who will eat, rejoice, and be called by a new name. The chapter culminates in a glorious prophecy of new heavens and a new earth, where former troubles are forgotten, Jerusalem is a source of joy, and life is extended with peace and fruitful labor.

Long Summary

The chapter begins with the LORD stating His availability to those who did not seek Him, while lamenting the continuous rebellion of His own people, who walk in ways not good and provoke Him with idolatry. He details their abominable practices, such as sacrificing in gardens, burning incense on altars of brick, remaining among graves, and eating swine's flesh, all while arrogantly claiming to be holier. The LORD declares that He has recorded their sins and will not keep silent, promising to recompense their iniquities and those of their fathers, who burned incense on mountains and blasphemed Him. Despite this impending judgment, the LORD, in His mercy, promises to preserve a remnant, likened to new wine found in a cluster, for His servants' sake. He will bring forth a seed from Jacob and Judah, and His elect will inherit the land, dwelling in places like Sharon and Achor. A clear distinction is then made between the forsakers of the LORD, who prepare tables for false gods, and His faithful servants. The rebellious are destined for the sword, hunger, thirst, and sorrow, their name becoming a curse, while the Lord GOD will slay them and call His servants by another name. This new era will see those who bless or swear doing so by the God of truth, as former troubles are forgotten. The chapter then shifts to a magnificent prophecy of creation: new heavens and a new earth, where the former things will not be remembered. Jerusalem is created as a rejoicing, and her people a joy, with weeping and crying ceasing. Life will be extended, with no infant of days or unfulfilled old man, and the child dying at a hundred years old will be considered young. The people will build houses and inhabit them, plant vineyards and eat their fruit, enjoying the work of their hands without laboring in vain. The LORD promises to answer before they call and hear while they are still speaking. Finally, a vision of universal peace is presented, where the wolf and lamb feed together, the lion eats straw, and the serpent's diet is dust, with no hurt or destruction in all His holy mountain.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Accessibility and RejectionThe LORD reveals Himself to those who did not seek Him, while His own people, despite His constant outreach, persist in rebellion and idolatry, provoking His anger continually.
  • Idolatry and Abominable PracticesThe rebellious people engage in forbidden acts such as sacrificing in gardens, burning incense on brick altars, dwelling among graves, and consuming swine's flesh, all of which are an offense to the LORD.
  • Judgment and RecompenseThe LORD declares that He will not keep silent but will recompense the iniquities of the rebellious people and their fathers, bringing judgment upon them for their persistent disobedience.
  • The Remnant and Divine PreservationDespite the widespread rebellion, the LORD promises to preserve a faithful remnant, a 'seed' from Jacob and Judah, ensuring that not all will be destroyed but His servants will inherit His blessings.
  • New Heavens and New EarthA pivotal prophecy of a completely new creation, where the former heavens and earth will not be remembered, signifying a radical transformation and a new era of divine order.
  • Restored Jerusalem and Everlasting JoyIn the new creation, Jerusalem will be a city of rejoicing and her people a joy, free from weeping and crying, characterized by longevity, fruitful labor, and immediate divine response to prayers.
  • Universal Peace and HarmonyThe new creation will feature a state of profound peace, even among animals, where predators like the wolf and lion will live harmoniously with their prey, signifying an end to all hurt and destruction.