1 This is what the LORD says: |
2 Blessed is the man who does this,
the man who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
and keeps his hand from doing any evil." |
3 Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the LORD say,
"The LORD will surely exclude me from his people."
And let not any eunuch complain,
"I am only a dry tree." |
4 For this is what the LORD says: |
5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls
a memorial and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that will not be cut off. |
6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD
to serve him,
to love the name of the LORD ,
and to worship him,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant- |
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy 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 nations." |
8 The Sovereign LORD declares-
he who gathers the exiles of Israel:
"I will gather still others to them
besides those already gathered." |
9 Come, all you beasts of the field,
come and devour, all you beasts of the forest! |
10 Israel's watchmen are blind,
they all lack knowledge;
they are all mute dogs,
they cannot bark;
they lie around and dream,
they love to sleep. |
11 They are dogs with mighty appetites;
they never have enough.
They are shepherds who lack understanding;
they all turn to their own way,
each seeks his own gain. |
12 "Come," each one cries, "let me get wine!
Let us drink our fill of beer!
And tomorrow will be like today,
or even far better." |
