Isaiah 1:18
What does Isaiah 1:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 1:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 1:18 means
Isaiah 1:18 showcases God’s incredible offer of reconciliation and forgiveness. The verse opens with an invitation from Yahweh to "reason together," highlighting His willingness to engage with humanity despite their transgressions. The vivid imagery of "sins as scarlet" and "red like crimson" portrays the deep-seated and pervasive nature of human sin. However, this is powerfully contrasted with the promise that these sins "shall be as white as snow" and "as wool." This transformation speaks to the complete cleansing and purification that God offers through His grace, making the unrighteous righteous. It emphasizes the complete and utter forgiveness available to those who turn to Him, promising a radical change in their spiritual state.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Come now, and let us have an argument together, says the Lord: how may your sins which are red like blood be white as snow? how may their dark purple seem like wool?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Come, I pray you, and we reason, saith Jehovah, If your sins are as scarlet, as snow they shall be white, If they are red as crimson, as wool they shall be!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And then come, and accuse me, saith the Lord: if your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow: and if they be red as crimson, they shall be white as wool.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Come now, let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Context
This verse serves as a pivotal offer of grace within a chapter that largely condemns Judah for its unfaithfulness and rebellion. Immediately preceding it, Yahweh recounts the nation’s spiritual sickness, comparing them to a "sick head" and "faint heart" (v. 5), describing their land as desolate (v. 7), and lamenting their empty rituals (v. 11-15). Isaiah 1:18 shifts the tone, providing a ray of hope amidst the pronouncements of judgment. It’s a direct appeal from God to His people, inviting them to repent and experience His mercy before further judgment is enacted. Following this verse, Isaiah continues to call for justice and righteousness, urging them to "seek justice, relieve the oppressed" (v. 17).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 5:20
And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:
- Isaiah 43:24
Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices; but thou hast burdened me with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.
- Micah 7:18
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in lovingkindness.
- Acts 18:4
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
- 1 Samuel 12:7
Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before Jehovah concerning all the righteous acts of Jehovah, which he did to you and to your fathers.
- Jeremiah 2:5
Thus saith Jehovah, What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
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