18 "Come now, let us settle the matter," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
18 Come 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.
18 "Come now, let us reason
18 "Come. Sit down. Let's argue this out." This is God's Message: "If your sins are blood-red, they'll be snow-white. If they're red like crimson, they'll be like wool.
18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
18 "Come now, let's settle this," says the Lord . "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.
3 "My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me.
3 O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me.
3 "O my people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me!
3 "Dear people, how have I done you wrong? Have I burdened you, worn you out? Answer!
3 "O My people, what have I done to you? And how have I wearied you? Testify against Me.
3 "OÂ my people, what have I done to you? What have I done to make you tired of me? Answer me!
(Read Micah 6:1-5)
The people are called upon to declare why they were weary of God's worship, and prone to idolatry. Sin causes the controversy between God and man. God reasons with us, to teach us to reason with ourselves. Let them remember God's many favours to them and their fathers, and compare with them their unworthy, ungrateful conduct toward him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 1:18
Commentary on Isaiah 1:16-20
(Read Isaiah 1:16-20)
Not only feel sorrow for the sin committed, but break off the practice. We must be doing, not stand idle. We must be doing the good the Lord our God requires. It is plain that the sacrifices of the law could not atone, even for outward national crimes. But, blessed be God, there is a Fountain opened, in which sinners of every age and rank may be cleansed. Though our sins have been as scarlet and crimson, a deep dye, a double dye, first in the wool of original corruption, and afterwards in the many threads of actual transgression; though we have often dipped into sin, by many backslidings; yet pardoning mercy will take out the stain, Psalm 51:7. They should have all the happiness and comfort they could desire. Life and death, good and evil, are set before us. O Lord, incline all of us to live to thy glory.