Isaiah 1:17

17 learn to do good. Seek justice: help the oppressed;^[a] defend the orphan; plead for the widow.

Isaiah 1:17 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do well
Which men are naturally ignorant of; to do good they have no knowledge; nor can they that are accustomed to do evil learn to do well of themselves; but the Lord can teach them to profit, and of him they should ask wisdom, and desire, under the influence of his grace, to learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, and particularly to do acts of beneficence to all men, and especially to the household of faith; and also, the following ones, seek judgment;
seek to do justice between man and man in any cause depending, without respect of persons: relieve the oppressed;
the poor that are oppressed by their neighbours that are richer and mightier than they, right their wrongs, and deliver them out of the hands of their oppressors ^F9: judge the fatherless;
do justice to them who have none to take care of them, and defend them: plead for the widow;
that is desolate, and has none to plead her cause.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 Misn. Sabbat, c. 9. sect. 3. T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 67. 1,

Isaiah 1:17 In-Context

15 When you extend your hands, I'll hide my eyes from you. Even when you pray for a long time, I won't listen. Your hands are stained with blood.

16 Wash! Be clean! Remove your ugly deeds from my sight. Put an end to such evil;

17 learn to do good. Seek justice: help the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow.

18 Come now, and let's settle this, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white as snow. If they are red as crimson, they will become like wool.

19 If you agree and obey, you will eat the best food of the land.

Footnotes

• [a]. LXX, Vulg; MT lead the oppressor