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Isaiah 56:9-12
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Isaiah 56:9-12
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Unworthy Shepherds[a]
9 All you beasts of the field,[b]
come to devour,
all you beasts in the forest!(A)
10 [c]All the sentinels of Israel are blind,
they are without knowledge;
They are all mute dogs,
unable to bark;
Dreaming, reclining,
loving their sleep.
11 Yes, the dogs have a ravenous appetite;
they never know satiety,
Shepherds who have no understanding;
all have turned their own way,
each one covetous for gain:
12 “Come, let me bring wine;
let us fill ourselves with strong drink,
And tomorrow will be like today,
or even greater.”(B)
Footnotes
- 56:9–57:21 This section is made up of two pronouncements of judgment (56:9–57:2; 57:3–13) and an oracle of salvation (57:14–21), each of which ends with a reversal of imagery and language. While there are harsh indictments against the corrupt leaders of Israel (56:9–12), a promise of peace is offered to those who are just (57:1–2). Then the judgment and its subsequent punishment for idolaters (57:3–13a) change to an announcement of reward for those who place their trust in God (57:13c). And the promises of salvation (57:14–19) then shift to a word of warning to the wicked (57:20–21).
- 56:9 Beasts of the field: foreign nations, which are invited to come and ravage Israel.
- 56:10–11 These shepherds of Israel are without “knowledge,” a theme developed earlier in the Isaian corpus; cf. 1:3; 6:9–10. Ezekiel 34 has similar condemnatory words against the unfaithful shepherds of Israel.
Isaiah 56:9-12
New International Version
Isaiah 56:9-12
New International Version
God’s Accusation Against the Wicked
9 Come, all you beasts of the field,(A)
come and devour, all you beasts of the forest!
10 Israel’s watchmen(B) are blind,
they all lack knowledge;(C)
they are all mute dogs,
they cannot bark;
they lie around and dream,
they love to sleep.(D)
11 They are dogs with mighty appetites;
they never have enough.
They are shepherds(E) who lack understanding;(F)
they all turn to their own way,(G)
they seek their own gain.(H)
12 “Come,” each one cries, “let me get wine!(I)
Let us drink our fill of beer!
And tomorrow will be like today,
or even far better.”(J)
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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