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Isaiah 64:6 Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

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When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/64.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/64.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/64.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But we are all as an unclean <i>thing</i>, and all our righteousnesses <i>are</i> as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/64.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But we are all like an unclean <i>thing,</i> And all our righteousnesses <i>are</i> like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/64.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our wrongdoings, like the wind, take us away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/64.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/64.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/64.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, carry us away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/64.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For we all have become like one who is [ceremonially] unclean [like a leper], And all our deeds of righteousness are like filthy rags; We all wither <i>and</i> decay like a leaf, And our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing], like the wind, takes us away [carrying us far from God&#8217;s favor, toward destruction].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/64.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />All of us have become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a polluted garment; all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/64.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />All of us have become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a polluted garment; all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/64.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For we are all become as one that is unclean, and all our righteousnesses are as a polluted garment: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/64.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />We are unfit to worship you; each of our good deeds is merely a filthy rag. We dry up like leaves; our sins are storm winds sweeping us away. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/64.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For we are all become as one that is unclean, and all our righteousnesses are as a polluted garment: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/64.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />We've all become unclean, and all our righteous acts are like permanently stained rags. All of us shrivel like leaves, and our sins carry us away like the wind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/64.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />All of us have been sinful; even our best actions are filthy through and through. Because of our sins we are like leaves that wither and are blown away by the wind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/64.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a filthy rag; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind, our iniquities sweep us away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/64.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/64.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />We are all like one who is unclean, all our so-called righteous acts are like a menstrual rag in your sight. We all wither like a leaf; our sins carry us away like the wind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/64.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For we have all become as one who is unclean, and all our righteousness is as a polluted garment: and we all fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/64.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/64.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For we have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteousness is like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/64.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And we are as unclean&#8212;all of us, "" And all our righteous acts [are] as garments of menstruation; And we fade as a leaf&#8212;all of us. And our iniquities take us away as wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/64.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And we are as unclean -- all of us, And as a garment passing away, all our righteous acts; And we fade as a leaf -- all of us. And our iniquities as wind do take us away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/64.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And we were all as the unclean, and all our justice as the garment of monthly courses; and we shall all fail away as the leaf; and our iniquities as the wind will take us away.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/64.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And we are all become as one unclean, and all our justices as the rag of a menstruous woman: and we have all fallen as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/64.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And we have all become like the unclean. And all our justices are like a rag of menstruation. And we have all fallen away, like a leaf. And our iniquities have carried us away, like the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/64.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />We have all become like something unclean, all our just deeds are like polluted rags; We have all withered like leaves, and our crimes carry us away like the wind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/64.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/64.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For we have all become like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is like filthy rags; we all fall off like leaves; and our iniquities, like the whirlwind, have taken us away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/64.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />For we all are as a defiled thing and all our righteousness is like the patch of cloth of a menstruous woman. We all fall like leaves, and our sins have carried us off like a hurricane<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/64.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And we are all become as one that is unclean, And all our righteousnesses are as a polluted garment; And we all do fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/64.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and we are all become as unclean, and all our righteousness as a filthy rag: and we have fallen as leaves because of our iniquities; thus the wind shall carry us <i>away</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/64-6.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=14084" 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/64.htm">A Prayer for God's Power</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">5</span>You welcome those who gladly do right, who remember Your ways. Surely You were angry, for we sinned. How can we be saved if we remain in our sins? <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kul&#183;l&#257;&#183;n&#363; (N-msc:: 1cp) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">Each of us</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wan&#183;n&#601;&#183;h&#238; (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cp) -- 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/2931.htm" title="2931: &#7733;a&#7789;&#183;&#7789;&#257;&#183;m&#234; (Prep-k, Art:: Adj-ms) -- Unclean. From tame'; foul in a relig. Sense.">like something unclean,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: k&#257;l- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and all</a> <a href="/hebrew/6666.htm" title="6666: &#7779;i&#7695;&#183;q&#333;&#183;&#7791;&#234;&#183;n&#363; (N-fpc:: 1cp) -- Righteousness. From tsadaq; rightness, subjectively, objectively, morally or figuratively.">our righteous acts</a> <a href="/hebrew/5708.htm" title="5708: &#8216;id&#183;d&#238;m (N-mp) -- The menstrual flux, soiling. From an unused root meaning to set a period; the menstrual flux; by implication soiling.">are like filthy</a> <a href="/hebrew/899.htm" title="899: &#363;&#183;&#7733;&#601;&#183;&#7687;e&#183;&#7713;e&#7695; (Conj-w, Prep-k:: N-msc) -- A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage. From bagad; a covering, i.e. Clothing; also treachery or pillage.">rags;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kul&#183;l&#257;&#183;n&#363; (N-msc:: 1cp) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">we all</a> <a href="/hebrew/5034.htm" title="5034: wan&#183;n&#257;&#183;&#7687;el (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cp) -- A primitive root; to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint; figuratively, to be foolish or wicked; causatively, to despise, disgrace.">wither</a> <a href="/hebrew/5929.htm" title="5929: ke&#183;&#8216;&#257;&#183;leh (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- Leaf, leafage. From alah; a leaf; collectively, foliage.">like a leaf,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: wa&#183;&#8216;a&#774;&#183;w&#333;&#183;n&#234;&#183;n&#363; (Conj-w:: N-cpc:: 1cp) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">and our iniquities</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: yi&#347;&#183;&#347;&#257;&#183;&#8217;u&#183;n&#363; (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp:: 1cp) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">carry us away</a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: k&#257;&#183;r&#363;&#183;a&#7717; (Prep-k, Art:: N-cs) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">like the wind.</a> </span><span class="reftext">7</span>No one calls on Your name or strives to take hold of You. For You have hidden Your face from us and delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <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="/romans/3-10.htm">Romans 3:10-12</a></span><br />As it is written: &#8220;There is no one righteous, not even one. / There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. / All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-8.htm">Philippians 3:8-9</a></span><br />More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ / and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a></span><br />for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/3-5.htm">Titus 3:5</a></span><br />He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-4.htm">Job 14:4</a></span><br />Who can bring out clean from unclean? No one!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/14-1.htm">Psalm 14:1-3</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, &#8220;There is no God.&#8221; They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good. / The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. / All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-18.htm">Romans 7:18</a></span><br />I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-9</a></span><br />For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a></span><br />The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Galatians 2:16</a></span><br />know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/15-14.htm">Job 15:14-16</a></span><br />What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous? / If God puts no trust in His holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in His eyes, / how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8</a></span><br />If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5</a></span><br />Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-8.htm">Romans 8:8</a></span><br />Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-19.htm">Matthew 15:19-20</a></span><br />For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. / These are what defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile him.&#8221;</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.</p><p class="hdg">are all</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/6-5.htm">Isaiah 6:5</a></b></br> Then said I, Woe <i>is</i> me! for I am undone; because I <i>am</i> a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a></b></br> All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/14-4.htm">Job 14:4</a></b></br> Who can bring a clean <i>thing</i> out of an unclean? not one.</p><p class="hdg">all our</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/57-12.htm">Isaiah 57:12</a></b></br> I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/3-3.htm">Zechariah 3:3</a></b></br> Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/philippians/3-9.htm">Philippians 3:9</a></b></br> And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:</p><p class="hdg">we all</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Isaiah 40:6-8</a></b></br> The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh <i>is</i> grass, and all the goodliness thereof <i>is</i> as the flower of the field: &#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/90-5.htm">Psalm 90:5,6</a></b></br> Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are <i>as</i> a sleep: in the morning <i>they are</i> like grass <i>which</i> groweth up&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/1-10.htm">James 1:10,11</a></b></br> But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away&#8230; </p><p class="hdg">our iniquities</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/57-13.htm">Isaiah 57:13</a></b></br> When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take <i>them</i>: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/1-4.htm">Psalm 1:4</a></b></br> The ungodly <i>are</i> not so: but <i>are</i> like the chaff which the wind driveth away.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/4-11.htm">Jeremiah 4:11,12</a></b></br> At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse, &#8230; </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/64-5.htm">Acts</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-4.htm">Fade</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-8.htm">Filthy</a> <a href="/isaiah/61-3.htm">Garment</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-12.htm">Iniquities</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-4.htm">Leaf</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-3.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-24.htm">Rags</a> <a href="/isaiah/60-21.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/isaiah/64-5.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/revelation/19-8.htm">Righteousnesses</a> <a href="/psalms/25-6.htm">ses</a> <a href="/joel/1-17.htm">Shrivel</a> <a href="/isaiah/64-5.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/isaiah/64-5.htm">Wind</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/3-2.htm">Acts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-13.htm">Fade</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-8.htm">Filthy</a> <a href="/jeremiah/43-12.htm">Garment</a> <a href="/isaiah/64-7.htm">Iniquities</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-13.htm">Leaf</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-23.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-11.htm">Rags</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-11.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-2.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-10.htm">Righteousnesses</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-32.htm">ses</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-12.htm">Shrivel</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-4.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-24.htm">Wind</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 64</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/64-1.htm">The church prays for the illustration of God's power</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/64-4.htm">Celebrating God's mercy, it makes confession of their natural corruptions</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/64-9.htm">It complains of their afflictions</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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In Isaiah's context, this uncleanness symbolizes moral and spiritual corruption. The Israelites, despite being God's chosen people, have fallen into sin and idolatry, making them unclean in God's sight. This echoes the broader biblical theme of humanity's fallen nature, as seen in <a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a>, which states that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.<p><b>and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;</b><br>The term "filthy rags" is a powerful metaphor illustrating the inadequacy of human righteousness compared to God's holiness. In the cultural context, "filthy rags" could refer to menstrual cloths, which were considered particularly unclean. This imagery emphasizes that even the best human efforts are tainted by sin and cannot earn God's favor. This aligns with the New Testament teaching in <a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-9</a>, which underscores that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, so that no one can boast.<p><b>we all wither like a leaf,</b><br>The imagery of withering leaves conveys the transient and fragile nature of human life and righteousness. In the biblical context, leaves are often used to symbolize vitality and prosperity, as seen in <a href="/psalms/1-3.htm">Psalm 1:3</a>. However, when detached from the source of life, they wither and die. This reflects the spiritual condition of those separated from God, highlighting the need for divine intervention and renewal, as promised in passages like <a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26</a>, where God promises to give a new heart and spirit.<p><b>and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.</b><br>This phrase captures the idea of sin's power to lead individuals astray, much like the wind carries away dry leaves. In the historical context, the Israelites experienced the consequences of their iniquities through exile and suffering, as prophesied by Isaiah and other prophets. The wind metaphor also suggests the uncontrollable and destructive nature of sin, which aligns with <a href="/james/1-14.htm">James 1:14-15</a>, where sin is described as leading to death. This underscores the need for redemption and the hope found in Jesus Christ, who offers salvation and restoration.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is traditionally credited with authoring the Book of Isaiah. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah and is known for his messages of both judgment and hope.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel during the time of Isaiah. The people of Judah were often called to repentance by the prophets due to their idolatry and social injustices.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_exile.htm">The Exile</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of Isaiah often points to the Babylonian Exile, a period when the Israelites were taken captive due to their disobedience to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_universality_of_sin.htm">The Universality of Sin</a></b><br><a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a> reminds us that sin affects every person. No one is exempt from the stain of sin, and our best efforts are insufficient to achieve righteousness on our own.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_insufficiency_of_human_righteousness.htm">The Insufficiency of Human Righteousness</a></b><br>Our righteous acts, when done apart from God, are like "filthy rags." This calls us to rely on God's grace rather than our own deeds for salvation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_transience_of_life.htm">The Transience of Life</a></b><br>The imagery of withering leaves serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of human life and the need to focus on eternal matters.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god's_mercy.htm">Dependence on God's Mercy</a></b><br>Recognizing our own inadequacy should lead us to a deeper dependence on God's mercy and grace, which are sufficient to cleanse and renew us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a></b><br>Understanding our sinful nature should drive us to repentance and a renewed commitment to live according to God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_64.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 64</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_'filthy_rags'_and_good_deeds_align.htm">Considering Isaiah 64:6 says even righteous acts are like &#8220;filthy rags,&#8221; how can this be reconciled with other biblical passages that praise good deeds? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_our_good_deeds_worthless.htm">Are our righteous acts like filthy rags?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_true_righteousness_in_the_bible.htm">What defines true righteousness according to the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_'repentance_from_dead_works'.htm">What does "repentance from dead works" mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/64.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) <span class= "bld">We are all as an unclean thing . . .</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">as he who is unclean, scil., </span>like the leper of <a href="/leviticus/13-45.htm" title="And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bore, and he shall put a covering on his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean.">Leviticus 13:45</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Filthy rags </span>point to that which to the Israelite was the other extremest form of ceremonial uncleanness, as in <a href="/ezekiel/36-17.htm" title="Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelled in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman.">Ezekiel 36:17</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Have taken us away</span>--<span class= "ital">scil., </span>afar off from the light and favour of Jehovah.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/64.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But we are all as an unclean thing</span>; rather, <span class="accented">we are all become as one who is unclean</span> (comp. <a href="/isaiah/35-8.htm">Isaiah 35:8</a>; <a href="/isaiah/52-1.htm">Isaiah 52:1</a>). A moral leprosy is upon us. We are like the leprous man, who has to rend his clothes, and to go about crying "<span class="accented">Tame</span>! <span class="accented">tame</span>!" "Unclean: unclean!" that those who hear may get out of his way. All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; or, <span class="accented">as a menstruous garment</span> (see <a href="/lamentations/1-17.htm">Lamentations 1:17</a>). In the best deeds of the best men there is some taint of evil. As Hooker says, "Our very repentances require to be repented of." <span class="cmt_word">We all do fade as a leaf</span> (comp. <a href="/isaiah/1-30.htm">Isaiah 1:30</a>, "Ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth;" see also <a href="/isaiah/34-4.htm">Isaiah 34:4</a>). Our iniquities... have taken as away; or, <span class="accented">carried us away</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> taken us far from God, carried us into a region where God is not, or where at any rate "his presence is not felt" (Cheyne). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/64-6.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">All</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1468;&#1467;&#1500;&#1468;&#1464;&#1428;&#1504;&#1493;&#1468;</span> <span class="translit">(kul&#183;l&#257;&#183;n&#363;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct &#124; first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of us have become</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1463;&#1504;&#1468;&#1456;&#1492;&#1460;&#1444;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(wan&#183;n&#601;&#183;h&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural<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">like one who is unclean,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1463;&#1496;&#1468;&#1464;&#1502;&#1461;&#1488;&#1433;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7733;a&#7789;&#183;&#7789;&#257;&#183;m&#234;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article &#124; Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2931.htm">Strong's 2931: </a> </span><span class="str2">Unclean</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and all</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1468;&#1464;&#1500;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(k&#257;l-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our righteous acts</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1510;&#1460;&#1491;&#1456;&#1511;&#1465;&#1514;&#1461;&#1425;&#1497;&#1504;&#1493;&#1468;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7779;i&#7695;&#183;q&#333;&#183;&#7791;&#234;&#183;n&#363;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct &#124; first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6666.htm">Strong's 6666: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rightness, subjectively, objectively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are like a polluted</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1506;&#1460;&#1491;&#1468;&#1460;&#1430;&#1497;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8216;id&#183;d&#238;m)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5708.htm">Strong's 5708: </a> </span><span class="str2">The menstrual flux, soiling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">garment;</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1468;&#1499;&#1456;&#1489;&#1462;&#1445;&#1490;&#1462;&#1491;</span> <span class="translit">(&#363;&#183;&#7733;&#601;&#183;&#7687;e&#183;&#7713;e&#7695;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k &#124; Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_899.htm">Strong's 899: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we all</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1468;&#1467;&#1500;&#1468;&#1464;&#1428;&#1504;&#1493;&#1468;</span> <span class="translit">(kul&#183;l&#257;&#183;n&#363;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct &#124; first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wither</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1463;&#1504;&#1468;&#1464;&#1444;&#1489;&#1462;&#1500;</span> <span class="translit">(wan&#183;n&#257;&#183;&#7687;el)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5034.htm">Strong's 5034: </a> </span><span class="str2">To wilt, to fall away, fail, faint, to be foolish, wicked, to despise, disgrace</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like a leaf,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1468;&#1462;&#1469;&#1506;&#1464;&#1500;&#1462;&#1492;&#1433;</span> <span class="translit">(ke&#183;&#8216;&#257;&#183;leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5929.htm">Strong's 5929: </a> </span><span class="str2">A leaf, foliage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and our iniquities</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1463;&#1506;&#1458;&#1493;&#1466;&#1504;&#1461;&#1430;&#1504;&#1493;&#1468;</span> <span class="translit">(wa&#183;&#8216;a&#774;&#183;w&#333;&#183;n&#234;&#183;n&#363;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Noun - common plural construct &#124; first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">carry us away</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1497;&#1460;&#1513;&#1474;&#1468;&#1464;&#1488;&#1467;&#1469;&#1504;&#1493;&#1468;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(yi&#347;&#183;&#347;&#257;&#183;&#8217;u&#183;n&#363;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural &#124; first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like the wind.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1468;&#1464;&#1512;&#1445;&#1493;&#1468;&#1495;&#1463;</span> <span class="translit">(k&#257;&#183;r&#363;&#183;a&#7717;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article &#124; Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 64:6 For we have all become as one (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/64-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 64:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 64:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/64-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 64:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 64:7" /></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>

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