The Lord’s Day of Vengeance

63 Who is this coming from Edom(A)
in crimson-stained garments from Bozrah—
this one who is splendid in his apparel,
striding in his formidable[a] might?
It is I, proclaiming vindication,[b]
powerful to save.
Why are your clothes red,
and your garments like one who treads a winepress?(B)
I trampled the winepress alone,
and no one from the nations was with me.
I trampled them in my anger
and ground them underfoot in my fury;
their blood spattered my garments,
and all my clothes were stained.
For I planned the day of vengeance,(C)
and the year of my redemption[c] came.

I looked, but there was no one to help,(D)
and I was amazed that no one assisted;
so my arm accomplished victory for me,
and my wrath assisted me.

I crushed nations in my anger;
I made them drunk with my wrath(E)
and poured out their blood on the ground.(F)

Remembrance of Grace

I will make known the Lord’s faithful love
and the Lord’s praiseworthy acts,
because of all the Lord has done for us—
even the many good things
he has done for the house of Israel,
which he did for them based on his compassion
and the abundance of his faithful love.
He said, “They are indeed my people,
children who will not be disloyal,”
and he became their Savior.
In all their suffering, he suffered,[d](G)
and the angel of his presence saved them.
He redeemed them
because of his love and compassion;(H)
he lifted them up and carried them
all the days of the past.(I)
10 But they rebelled
and grieved his Holy Spirit.(J)
So he became their enemy
and fought against them.
11 Then he[e] remembered the days of the past,
the days of Moses and his people.
Where is he who brought them out of the sea
with the shepherds[f] of his flock?
Where is he who put his Holy Spirit among the flock?
12 He made his glorious strength
available at the right hand of Moses,
divided the water before them(K)
to make an eternal name for himself,
13 and led them through the depths
like a horse in the wilderness,
so that they did not stumble.

14 Like cattle that go down into the valley,
the Spirit of the Lord gave them[g] rest.
You led your people this way
to make a glorious name for yourself.

Israel’s Prayer

15 Look down from heaven and see(L)
from your lofty home—holy and beautiful.
Where is your zeal and your might?
Your yearning[h] and your compassion
are withheld from me.
16 Yet you are our Father,
even though Abraham does not know us
and Israel doesn’t recognize us.
You, Lord, are our Father;
your name is Our Redeemer(M)
from Ancient Times.
17 Why, Lord, do you make us stray from your ways?
You harden our hearts so we do not fear[i] you.(N)
Return, because of your servants,
the tribes of your heritage.
18 Your holy people had a possession[j]
for a little while,
but our enemies have trampled down
your sanctuary.(O)
19 We have become like those you never ruled,
like those who did not bear your name.(P)

Footnotes

  1. 63:1 Syr, Vg read apparel, striding forward in
  2. 63:1 Or righteousness
  3. 63:4 Or blood retribution
  4. 63:9 Alt Hb tradition reads did not suffer
  5. 63:11 Or they
  6. 63:11 LXX, Tg, Syr read shepherd
  7. 63:14 Lit him
  8. 63:15 Lit The agitation of your inward parts
  9. 63:17 Lit our heart from fearing
  10. 63:18 Or Your people possessed your holy place

God’s Day of Vengeance and Redemption

63 Who is this coming from Edom,(A)
    from Bozrah,(B) with his garments stained crimson?(C)
Who is this, robed in splendor,
    striding forward in the greatness of his strength?(D)

“It is I, proclaiming victory,
    mighty to save.”(E)

Why are your garments red,
    like those of one treading the winepress?(F)

“I have trodden the winepress(G) alone;
    from the nations no one was with me.
I trampled(H) them in my anger
    and trod them down in my wrath;(I)
their blood spattered my garments,(J)
    and I stained all my clothing.
It was for me the day of vengeance;(K)
    the year for me to redeem had come.
I looked, but there was no one(L) to help,
    I was appalled that no one gave support;
so my own arm(M) achieved salvation for me,
    and my own wrath sustained me.(N)
I trampled(O) the nations in my anger;
    in my wrath I made them drunk(P)
    and poured their blood(Q) on the ground.”

Praise and Prayer

I will tell of the kindnesses(R) of the Lord,
    the deeds for which he is to be praised,
    according to all the Lord has done for us—
yes, the many good things(S)
    he has done for Israel,
    according to his compassion(T) and many kindnesses.
He said, “Surely they are my people,(U)
    children who will be true to me”;
    and so he became their Savior.(V)
In all their distress he too was distressed,
    and the angel(W) of his presence(X) saved them.[a]
In his love and mercy he redeemed(Y) them;
    he lifted them up and carried(Z) them
    all the days of old.(AA)
10 Yet they rebelled(AB)
    and grieved his Holy Spirit.(AC)
So he turned and became their enemy(AD)
    and he himself fought(AE) against them.

11 Then his people recalled[b] the days of old,
    the days of Moses and his people—
where is he who brought them through the sea,(AF)
    with the shepherd of his flock?(AG)
Where is he who set
    his Holy Spirit(AH) among them,
12 who sent his glorious arm(AI) of power
    to be at Moses’ right hand,
who divided the waters(AJ) before them,
    to gain for himself everlasting renown,(AK)
13 who led(AL) them through the depths?(AM)
Like a horse in open country,
    they did not stumble;(AN)
14 like cattle that go down to the plain,
    they were given rest(AO) by the Spirit of the Lord.
This is how you guided your people
    to make for yourself a glorious name.

15 Look down from heaven(AP) and see,
    from your lofty throne,(AQ) holy and glorious.
Where are your zeal(AR) and your might?
    Your tenderness and compassion(AS) are withheld(AT) from us.
16 But you are our Father,(AU)
    though Abraham does not know us
    or Israel acknowledge(AV) us;
you, Lord, are our Father,
    our Redeemer(AW) from of old is your name.
17 Why, Lord, do you make us wander(AX) from your ways
    and harden our hearts(AY) so we do not revere(AZ) you?
Return(BA) for the sake of your servants,
    the tribes that are your inheritance.(BB)
18 For a little while(BC) your people possessed your holy place,
    but now our enemies have trampled(BD) down your sanctuary.(BE)
19 We are yours from of old;
    but you have not ruled over them,
    they have not been called[c] by your name.(BF)

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 63:9 Or Savior in their distress. / It was no envoy or angel / but his own presence that saved them
  2. Isaiah 63:11 Or But may he recall
  3. Isaiah 63:19 Or We are like those you have never ruled, / like those never called