Isaiah 1:17

17 Learn to do good. Seek justice. Punish those who hurt others. Help the orphans. Stand up for the rights of widows."

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 raise your arms to me in prayer, I will refuse to look at you. Even if you say many prayers, I will not listen to you, because your hands are full of blood.

16 Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean. Stop doing the evil things I see you do. Stop doing wrong.

17 Learn to do good. Seek justice. Punish those who hurt others. Help the orphans. Stand up for the rights of widows."

18 The Lord says, "Come, let us talk about these things. Though your sins are like scarlet, they can be as white as snow. Though your sins are deep red, they can be white like wool.

19 If you become willing and obey me, you will eat good crops from the land.