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She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her— but now murderers!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />See how Jerusalem, once so faithful, has become a prostitute. Once the home of justice and righteousness, she is now filled with murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />How the faithful city has become a whore, she who was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />How the faithful city has become a prostitute, She <i>who</i> was full of justice! Righteousness <i>once</i> dwelt in her, But now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />How the faithful city has become a harlot, She who was full of justice! Righteousness once lodged in her, But now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />How the faithful city has become a harlot, She <i>who</i> was full of justice! Righteousness once lodged in her, But now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />How the faithful city has become a harlot, She <i>who</i> was full of justice! Righteousness once lodged in her, But now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />How the faithful city has become a prostitute [idolatrous, despicable], She who was full of justice! Right standing with God once lodged in her, But now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The faithful town — what an adulteress she has become! She was once full of justice. Righteousness once dwelt in her, but now, murderers!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The faithful city— what an adulteress she has become! She was once full of justice. Righteousness once dwelt in her— but now, murderers! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />How is the faithful city become a harlot! she that was full of justice! righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jerusalem, you are like an unfaithful wife. Once your judges were honest and your people lived right; now you are a city full of murderers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />How is the faithful city become an harlot! she that was full of judgment! righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />How the faithful town has become a prostitute! She was full of justice, and righteousness lived in her. But now murderers live there!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The city that once was faithful is behaving like a whore! At one time it was filled with righteous people, but now only murderers remain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"How the faithful city has become a whore, she who used to be filled with justice! Righteousness used to reside within her, but now only murderers live there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />How tragic that the once-faithful city has become a prostitute! She was once a center of justice, fairness resided in her, but now only murderers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />How the faithful city has become a prostitute. She was full of justice; righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />How is the faithful city become a harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />How the faithful city has become a prostitute! She was full of justice. Righteousness lodged in her, but now there are murderers. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />How has a faithful city become a harlot? I have filled it [with] judgment, "" Righteousness lodges in it—now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> How hath a faithful city become a harlot? I have filled it with judgment, Righteousness lodgeth in it -- now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />How was the faithful city for a harlot! I filled with judgment; justice will lodge in her; and now they are killing.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />How is the faithful city, that was full of judgment, become a harlot? justice dwelt in it, but now murderers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />How has the faithful city, full of judgment, become a harlot? Justice lived in her, but now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />How she has become a prostitute, the faithful city, so upright! Justice used to lodge within her, but now, murderers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />How the faithful city has become a whore! She that was full of justice, righteousness lodged in her— but now murderers!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />How is the faithful city become a harlot! For once it was full of justice; and righteousness lodged in it, but now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />How has the faithful city become a whore, that was full of justice and righteousness, and now murderers are lodging in it!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />How is the faithful city Become a harlot! She that was full of justice, Righteousness lodged in her, But now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />How has the faithful city Sion, <i>once</i> full of judgement, become a harlot! wherein righteousness lodged, but now murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/1-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=233" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/1.htm">The Corruption of Zion</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/349.htm" title="349: ’ê·ḵāh (Interjection) -- How?. Also eykah; and teykakah; prolonged from 'ay; how? Or how!; also where.">See how</a> <a href="/hebrew/539.htm" title="539: ne·’ĕ·mā·nāh (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To confirm, support. ">the faithful</a> <a href="/hebrew/4392.htm" title="4392: mə·lê·’ă·ṯî (Adj-fsc) -- Full. From male'; full or filling; also fulness; adverbially, fully."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7151.htm" title="7151: qir·yāh (N-fs) -- A town, city. From qarah in the sense of flooring, i.e. Building; a city.">city</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yə·ṯāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">has become</a> <a href="/hebrew/2181.htm" title="2181: lə·zō·w·nāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- To commit fornication, be a harlot. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to commit idolatry.">a harlot!</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: miš·pāṭ (N-ms) -- Judgment. ">She once was full of justice;</a> <a href="/hebrew/6664.htm" title="6664: ṣe·ḏeq (N-ms) -- Rightness, righteousness. From tsadaq; the right; also equity or prosperity.">righteousness</a> <a href="/hebrew/3885.htm" title="3885: yā·lîn (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- Or liyn; a primitive root; to stop; by implication, to stay permanently; hence to be obstinate.">resided</a> <a href="/hebrew/bāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- ">within her,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">but now only</a> <a href="/hebrew/7523.htm" title="7523: mə·raṣ·ṣə·ḥîm (V-Piel-Prtcpl-mp) -- To murder, slay. A primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. Kill, especially to murder.">murderers!</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>Your silver has become dross; your fine wine is diluted with water.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-21.htm">Jeremiah 2:21</a></span><br />I had planted you like a choice vine from the very best seed. How could you turn yourself before Me into a rotten, wild vine?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/1-8.htm">Lamentations 1:8</a></span><br />Jerusalem has sinned greatly; therefore she has become an object of scorn. All who honored her now despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans and turns away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/16-15.htm">Ezekiel 16:15</a></span><br />But because of your fame, you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot. You lavished your favors on everyone who passed by, and your beauty was theirs for the asking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-15.htm">Hosea 4:15</a></span><br />Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel, may Judah avoid such guilt! Do not journey to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear on oath, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-9.htm">Micah 3:9-11</a></span><br />Now hear this, O leaders of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and pervert all that is right, / who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with iniquity. / Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/3-1.htm">Zephaniah 3:1-4</a></span><br />Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled! / She heeded no voice; she accepted no correction. She does not trust in the LORD; she has not drawn near to her God. / Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-1.htm">Jeremiah 5:1</a></span><br />“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem. Look now and take note; search her squares. If you can find a single person, anyone who acts justly, anyone who seeks the truth, then I will forgive the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-2.htm">Ezekiel 22:2-12</a></span><br />“As for you, son of man, will you judge her? Will you pass judgment on the city of bloodshed? Then confront her with all her abominations / and tell her that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘O city who brings her own doom by shedding blood within her walls and making idols to defile herself, / you are guilty of the blood you have shed, and you are defiled by the idols you have made. You have brought your days to a close and have come to the end of your years. Therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations and a mockery to all the lands. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-7.htm">Amos 5:7</a></span><br />There are those who turn justice into wormwood and cast righteousness to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/11-15.htm">Jeremiah 11:15</a></span><br />What right has My beloved in My house, having carried out so many evil schemes? Can consecrated meat avert your doom? When you are wicked, then you rejoice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/13-34.htm">Luke 13:34</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-1.htm">Revelation 17:1-5</a></span><br />Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. / The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.” / And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-13.htm">Matthew 21:13</a></span><br />And He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-24.htm">Romans 2:24</a></span><br />As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.</p><p class="hdg">the faithful</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/48-2.htm">Isaiah 48:2</a></b></br> For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts <i>is</i> his name.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/11-1.htm">Nehemiah 11:1</a></b></br> And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts <i>to dwell</i> in <i>other</i> cities.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/46-4.htm">Psalm 46:4</a></b></br> <i>There is</i> a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy <i>place</i> of the tabernacles of the most High.</p><p class="hdg">become</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20,21</a></b></br> For of old time I have broken thy yoke, <i>and</i> burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/3-1.htm">Jeremiah 3:1</a></b></br> They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/1-8.htm">Lamentations 1:8,9</a></b></br> Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward… </p><p class="hdg">it was full</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/5-7.htm">Isaiah 5:7</a></b></br> For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts <i>is</i> the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/8-15.htm">2 Samuel 8:15</a></b></br> And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/19-9.htm">2 Chronicles 19:9</a></b></br> And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/1-8.htm">City</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-9.htm">Decisions</a> <a href="/songs/8-13.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-26.htm">Faithful</a> <a href="/songs/5-2.htm">Filled</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Full</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-27.htm">Harlot</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-16.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/job/31-32.htm">Lodged</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-6.htm">Murderers</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-14.htm">Once</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-27.htm">Prostitute</a> <a href="/songs/8-13.htm">Resting-Place</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Right</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/songs/2-12.htm">Time</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-19.htm">Untrue</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/songs/8-2.htm">Used</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/1-26.htm">City</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Decisions</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-8.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-26.htm">Faithful</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-6.htm">Filled</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-6.htm">Full</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-15.htm">Harlot</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-26.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-27.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-27.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/matthew/21-17.htm">Lodged</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-31.htm">Murderers</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-25.htm">Once</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-15.htm">Prostitute</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-18.htm">Resting-Place</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Right</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-26.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/isaiah/4-6.htm">Time</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-9.htm">Untrue</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-27.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-23.htm">Used</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/1-1.htm">Isaiah complains of Judah for her rebellion</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/1-5.htm">He laments her judgments</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/1-10.htm">He upbraids their whole service</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">He exhorts to repentance, with promises and threats</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Bewailing their wickedness, he denounces God's judgments</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/1-25.htm">He promises grace</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/1-28.htm">And threatens destruction to the wicked</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The imagery of harlotry is used throughout the Bible to describe spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., <a href="/hosea/1.htm">Hosea 1-3</a>, <a href="/revelation/17.htm">Revelation 17</a>). Jerusalem's idolatry and alliances with pagan nations are seen as acts of infidelity to God. Historically, this period saw Israel engaging in practices contrary to the covenant, such as idol worship and political alliances with Assyria and Egypt.<p><b>She once was full of justice;</b><br>Jerusalem was originally established as a city where justice and righteousness were upheld, reflecting God's character and law. King David and Solomon's reigns are often seen as high points of justice in Israel's history (<a href="/2_samuel/8-15.htm">2 Samuel 8:15</a>, <a href="/1_kings/3-28.htm">1 Kings 3:28</a>). The city was meant to be a beacon of God's justice to the nations (<a href="/isaiah/2-3.htm">Isaiah 2:3</a>).<p><b>righteousness resided within her,</b><br>This phrase highlights the past presence of righteousness in Jerusalem, indicating a time when the leaders and people lived according to God's standards. The presence of righteousness is synonymous with God's blessing and favor. The prophets often called the people back to this standard (<a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>).<p><b>but now only murderers!</b><br>The stark contrast between the past and present state of Jerusalem is emphasized here. The city, once known for justice, is now characterized by violence and bloodshed. This reflects the moral and spiritual decay of the society, as seen in the actions of its leaders and people (<a href="/jeremiah/7-9.htm">Jeremiah 7:9</a>). The shedding of innocent blood is a grave sin in the biblical narrative, often leading to judgment (<a href="/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10</a>, <a href="/2_kings/21-16.htm">2 Kings 21:16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_faithful_city.htm">The Faithful City (Jerusalem)</a></b><br>Once a symbol of faithfulness and justice, Jerusalem is now described as having turned away from its righteous path.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>The prophet who delivers God's message, calling out the moral and spiritual decline of Jerusalem.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate judge and source of righteousness, lamenting the city's fall from grace.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/murderers.htm">Murderers</a></b><br>Symbolic of the pervasive sin and corruption that have taken over the city.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/justice_and_righteousness.htm">Justice and Righteousness</a></b><br>Once the defining characteristics of Jerusalem, now replaced by sin and injustice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_spiritual_decline.htm">The Danger of Spiritual Decline</a></b><br>Just as Jerusalem fell from faithfulness, we must guard against spiritual complacency and moral decay in our own lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_justice_and_righteousness.htm">The Importance of Justice and Righteousness</a></b><br>God values justice and righteousness, and we are called to uphold these principles in our communities and personal lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>Despite the harsh judgment, God's call to repentance offers hope for restoration. We should seek God's forgiveness and strive to return to His ways.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>Sin leads to spiritual and societal decay. Recognizing and addressing sin in our lives is crucial to maintaining a healthy relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_to_god.htm">Faithfulness to God</a></b><br>Remaining faithful to God requires constant vigilance and commitment, resisting the temptations that lead us away from Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_the_city_of_god.htm">What defines the City of God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_new_heavens,_earth.htm">What does the Bible say about new heavens and earth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_codex_gigas.htm">What does the Bible say about watchmen?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_has_jerusalem_faced_such_sorrow.htm">Why has Jerusalem suffered such great devastation and sorrow?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">How is the faithful city become an harlot</span>! . . .--The opening word, as in <a href="/lamentations/1-1.htm" title="How does the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!">Lamentations 1:1</a>, is the key-note of an elegiac wail, which opens a new section. The idea of prostitution as representing apostasy from Jehovah was involved in the thought that Israel was the bride whom He had wooed and won (Hosea 1-3; <a href="/jeremiah/2-2.htm" title="Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus said the LORD; I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your espousals, when you went after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.">Jeremiah 2:2</a>). The imagery was made more impressive by the fact that actual prostitution entered so largely into the ritual of many of the forms of idolatry to which the Israelites were tempted (<a href="/context/numbers/25-1.htm" title="And Israel stayed in Shittim, and the people began to commit prostitution with the daughters of Moab.">Numbers 25:1-2</a>). So Ezekiel (<a href="/context/ezekiel/16-1.htm" title="Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,">Ezekiel 16:1-14</a>) develops the symbolism with an almost terrible fulness. So our Lord spoke of the Pharisees as an "adulterous generation" (<a href="/matthew/12-39.htm" title="But he answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:">Matthew 12:39</a>). The fact that Hosea, an earlier contemporary, had been led to tell how he had been taught the truth thus set forth by a living personal experience, is not without significance in its bearing on the <span class= "ital">genesis </span>of Isaiah's thoughts.<p><span class= "bld">Righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">assassins. </span>The word implies not casual homicide, but something like the choice of murder and robbery as a profession. Hosea (<a href="/hosea/6-9.htm" title="And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.">Hosea 6:9</a>) had painted a like picture as true of Samaria. The traveller who sojourned in Jerusalem, the poor who lived there, were exposed to outrage and murder; and all this was passing before men's eyes at the very time when they were boasting, as it were, of their "glorious reformation." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 21-23.</span> - ISAIAH'S LAMENT OVER JERUSALEM. The exhortation to amendment has been made - the results have been set forth; the temporal reward has been promised; the temporal vengeance, unless they amend, threatened. Time must be allowed the people for the prophet's words to reach them, and do their work upon them, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> either soften or harden them. Meanwhile, Isaiah reflects on the condition of Jerusalem, and the unlikelihood of its rulers turning to God in consequence of his preaching. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - How is the faithful city become an harlot! Not here an idolatress, but one that has left her first love, and turned to other attractions. Faithful once to her lord her spouse (Cant., <span class="accented">passim</span>), she has now cast him off - she is an adulterous wife, she no longer obeys or loves her husband. <span class="cmt_word">It was full of judgment</span>; <span class="cmt_word">righteousness</span>, etc. "She that was full" (Revised Version). Under Solomon (<a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">1 Kings 3:9-28</a>) and again under Jehoshaphat (<a href="/2_chronicles/19-5.htm">2 Chronicles 19:5-11</a>). It is not clear when the systematic perversion of justice by the rulers began. Perhaps it originated in the latter part of Uzziah's reign, when the royal authority was weakened by being divided between Uzziah and Jotham (<a href="/2_chronicles/26-21.htm">2 Chronicles 26:21</a>). <span class="cmt_word">But now murderers</span> (see the last note on ver. 15). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/1-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">[See] how</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵיכָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_349.htm">Strong's 349: </a> </span><span class="str2">How?, how!, where</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the faithful</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶאֱמָנָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(ne·’ĕ·mā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_539.htm">Strong's 539: </a> </span><span class="str2">To confirm, support</span><br /><br /><span class="word">city</span><br /><span class="heb">קִרְיָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(qir·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7151.htm">Strong's 7151: </a> </span><span class="str2">A town, city</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has become</span><br /><span class="heb">הָיְתָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yə·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a harlot!</span><br /><span class="heb">לְזוֹנָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(lə·zō·w·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2181.htm">Strong's 2181: </a> </span><span class="str2">To commit adultery, to commit idolatry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">She once was full of justice;</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׁפָּ֗ט</span> <span class="translit">(miš·pāṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><br /><span class="word">righteousness</span><br /><span class="heb">צֶ֛דֶק</span> <span class="translit">(ṣe·ḏeq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6664.htm">Strong's 6664: </a> </span><span class="str2">The right, equity, prosperity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">resided</span><br /><span class="heb">יָלִ֥ין</span> <span class="translit">(yā·lîn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3885.htm">Strong's 3885: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">within her,</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּ֖הּ</span> <span class="translit">(bāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">but now only</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַתָּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">murderers!</span><br /><span class="heb">מְרַצְּחִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(mə·raṣ·ṣə·ḥîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7523.htm">Strong's 7523: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dash in pieces, kill, to murder</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 1:21 How the faithful city has become (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/1-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 1:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 1:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/1-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 1:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 1:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>