Isaiah 56:1-12 VOICE

[1] Eternal One: Take care that you do what is right and fair, because before you know it, I will come to save you; Soon you will see how I rescue. [2] God's favor rests on those who attend to justice, who devote themselves to doing what is right, Who keep the Sabbath and don't disregard or belittle it, who keep from doing what is wrong: destructive, deceitful, or violent. [3] No stranger who has put trust in the Eternal should ever say, " I don't count. I'm not part of Eternal's chosen people." And no eunuch should ever say, "I am all dried up, worthless and empty." [4] For this is what the Eternal has to say: Eternal One: The eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, make good choices, and follow the terms of My covenant will blossom with My blessing. [5] I will give them, within My house, an enduring memorial and a name better than if they had sons and daughters- A name that will never be forgotten and will continue to inspire and encourage forever. [6] And of those strangers who are not among the chosen people Israel yet have bound themselves to the Eternal, Attend to God, and love all that the Eternal is and does; if they serve Him, keep the Sabbath, make good choices, and cling to the terms of the covenant, [7] I will bring them into My holy mountain where no foreigner is allowed and give them a joyful welcome within My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will find acceptance on My altar because My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. [8] And the One who brings all Israel together, the Lord, the Eternal, declares: Eternal One: I am not done yet. I will still gather more to this community. [9] Bring in the ravenous, vicious beasts from forests and fields; bring them in to pillage Jerusalem to rip and eat! [10] Those who should be guarding and directing the people are blind and ignorant at best. They are no better than hounds who can't be bothered to bark at trouble; they lie around, lost in their dreams, loving their sleep. [11] But these dogs sure love to eat. They can't get enough, greedily devouring Judah. They are shepherds with no understanding, guides with no sense of direction. So they've all scattered, each out for himself, trying to figure out how best to gain advantage. [12] "Come on!" they say, "I'll get the wine; we'll get our fill of booze. Day after day, it just keeps getting better!"