Isaiah 1:21 “See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of ju…”

Isaiah 1:21

See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers!

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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

World English Bible

How the faithful city has become a prostitute! She was full of justice. Righteousness lodged in her, but now there are murderers.

American Standard Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

Howe is the faithfull citie become an harlot? it was full of iudgement, and iustice lodged therein, but now they are murtherers.

Darby Translation

How is the faithful city become a harlot! It was full of judgment; righteousness used to lodge in it, but now murderers.

Young's Literal Translation

How hath a faithful city become a harlot? I have filled it [with] judgment, Righteousness lodgeth in it — now murderers.

Bible in Basic English

The upright town has become untrue; there was a time when her judges gave right decisions, when righteousness had a resting-place in her, but now she is full of those who take men's lives.

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Cross references

“the faithful”

Zechariah 8:3 Isaiah 48:2 Nehemiah 11:1 Psalm 46:4 Psalm 48:1 Psalm 48:8

Zechariah 8:3 · BSB

This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of Hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.”

Isaiah 48:2 · BSB

who indeed call yourselves after the holy city and lean on the God of Israel; the LORD of Hosts is His name.

Nehemiah 11:1 · BSB

Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in the holy city of Jerusalem, while the remaining nine were to dwell in their own towns.

Psalm 46:4 · BSB

There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

Psalm 48:1 · BSB

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain.

Psalm 48:8 · BSB

As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the LORD of Hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish her forever. Selah

“become”

Ezekiel 22:1–23 Jeremiah 3:1 Ezekiel 16:1–63 Luke 13:34 Revelation 11:2 Revelation 11:8

Ezekiel 22:1–23 · BSB

Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Jeremiah 3:1 · BSB

“If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers— and you would return to Me?” decla…

Ezekiel 16:1–63 · BSB

Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Luke 13:34 · BSB

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Revelation 11:2 · BSB

But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months.

Revelation 11:8 · BSB

Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city—figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where their Lord was also crucified.

“it was full”

Zephaniah 3:1–3 Isaiah 5:7 2 Samuel 8:15 2 Chronicles 19:9 Acts 7:52 Ezekiel 22:3–7

Zephaniah 3:1–3 · BSB

Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled!

Isaiah 5:7 · BSB

For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress.

2 Samuel 8:15 · BSB

Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people:

2 Chronicles 19:9 · BSB

He commanded them, saying, “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD.

Acts 7:52 · BSB

Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—

Ezekiel 22:3–7 · BSB

and tell her that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘O city who brings her own doom by shedding blood within her walls and making idols to defile herself,

Also

Isaiah 57:3–9

Isaiah 57:3–9 · BSB

“But come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

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

22Your silver has become dross; your fine wine is diluted with water.

Read Isaiah 1