Isaiah 1:17

17 Learn to do good; ¹Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, ^[a]²Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.

Images for Isaiah 1:17

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.

FOOTNOTES:

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

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Isaiah 1:17 In-Context

15 "So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

16 "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight . Cease to do evil,

17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.

18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD , "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.

19 "If you consent and obey, You will eat the best of the land;

Cross References 2

1. Jeremiah 22:3; Zephaniah 2:3
2. Psalms 82:3

Footnotes 1

[a]. Or "Vindicate the fatherless"