Isaiah 63 Common English Bible

Vengeance against the nations

63 Who is this coming from Edom,
    from Bozrah in bright red garments,
    this splendidly dressed one, striding^[a] with great power?
    It is I, proclaiming righteousness, powerful to save!
²Why is your clothing red,
    and your garments like those of one who stomps on grapes?
³I have pressed out in the vat by myself—from the peoples, no one was with me.
    I stomped on them in my anger,
    trampled them in my wrath.
Their blood splashed on my garments,
    and stained all my clothing,
⁴    because I intended a day of vengeance;
    the year of my deliverance had arrived.
⁵I looked and found no helper;
    I was astonished to find no supporter.
But my arm brought victory for me;
    my wrath helped me.
⁶I trampled down nations in my anger
    and made them drunk on my wrath;
    I spilled their blood on the ground.

Prayer of yearning

⁷I will recount the Lord’s faithful acts;
    I will sing the Lord’s praises,
    because of all the Lord did for us,
    for God’s great favor toward the house of Israel.
    God treated them compassionately
    and with deep affection.
⁸God said, “Truly, they are my people,
    children who won’t do what is wrong.”
    God became their savior.
⁹During all their distress, God also was distressed,
    so a messenger who served him saved them.
In love and mercy God redeemed them,
    lifting and carrying them throughout earlier times.
¹⁰But they rebelled,
    and made God’s holy spirit terribly sad,
    so that he turned into their enemy—
    he fought against them!

¹¹Then they remembered earlier times,
    when he rescued his people.^[b]
Where was the one who drew them up from the sea,
    the shepherd^[c] of the flock?
Where was the one who put within them his holy spirit;
¹²    the one who guided Moses’ strong hand
    with his glorious arm;
    who split the water for them
    to create an enduring reputation for himself,
¹³    and who guided them through the depths?
    Like a horse in the desert, they didn’t stumble.
¹⁴Like cattle descending to the valley,
    the Lord’s spirit brought them to rest.
In this way you led your people
    and made for yourself a glorious reputation.

¹⁵Look down from heaven and see,
    from your holy and glorious perch.
Where are your energy and your might,
    your concern and your pity?
    Don’t hold back!^[d]
¹⁶You are surely our father,
    even though Abraham doesn’t know us,
    and Israel doesn’t recognize us.
You, Lord, are our father;
    your reputation since long ago is that of our redeemer.
¹⁷Why do you lead us astray, Lord,
    from your ways?
Why do you harden our heart
    so we don’t fear you?
Return for the sake of your servants
    the tribes that are your heritage!
¹⁸Why did the wicked bring down your holy place?^[e]
    Why did our enemies trample your sanctuary?
¹⁹For too long we have been like those you don’t rule,
    like those not known by your name.