Isaiah 1:21

21 See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her— but now murderers!

Isaiah 1:21 in Other Translations

21 How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

21 How the faithful city has become a whore, she who was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.

21 See how Jerusalem, once so faithful, has become a prostitute. Once the home of justice and righteousness, she is now filled with murderers.

21 Oh! Can you believe it? The chaste city has become a whore! She was once all justice, everyone living as good neighbors, And now they're all at one another's throats.

21 How is the faithful city become a harlot! she that was full of justice! righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.

21 How the faithful town has become a prostitute! She was full of justice, and righteousness lived in her. But now murderers live there!

21 The faithful city- what an adulteress she has become! She was once full of justice. Righteousness once dwelt in her- but now, murderers!

21 See how the faithful city of Jerusalem has become like a prostitute! Once it was full of people who treated others fairly. Those who did what was right used to live in it. But now murderers live there!

Isaiah 1:21 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 1:21

How is the faithful city become a harlot!
&c.] The city of Jerusalem, in which were the temple, and the pure worship of God, and was in the tribe of Judah, which ruled with God, and was very faithful with the saints when the ten tribes revolted, and fell in with the sin of Jeroboam; but now, in Isaiah's time, was become like a treacherous wife to her husband, unfaithful to the Lord, went after other lovers, committed spiritual adultery, that is, idolatry, with stocks and stones; and in the times of Christ were a wicked and an adulterous generation, corrupting the word and worship of God; see ( Matthew 12:39 ) ( Matthew 15:9 ) it was full of judgment;
strict justice was exercised privately between man and man, as well as in the public courts of judicature; righteousness lodged in it;
that is, righteous men, who walked in all the commandments of the Lord, and lived soberly, righteously, and godly; see ( 2 Peter 3:13 ) but now murderers:
of the prophets whom they stoned, who were sent unto them, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom they were the betrayers and murderers; see ( Matthew 23:37 ) ( Acts 7:52 ) .

Isaiah 1:21 In-Context

19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;

20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

21 See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her— but now murderers!

22 Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water.

23 Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 57:3-9; Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 3:2,9; Jeremiah 13:27; Ezekiel 23:3; Hosea 2:1-13
• 2. Isaiah 5:7; Isaiah 46:13; Isaiah 59:14; Amos 6:12
• 3. S Proverbs 6:17