Isaiah 56 (NLT)

12 verses · New Living Translation · Dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought)

The NLT renders the original texts into clear, natural English, prioritizing meaning over word-for-word correspondence. It is excellent for devotional reading and for those new to the Bible, making ancient truths immediately understandable.

Isaiah Chapter 56 contains 12 verses and is presented here in the New Living Translation (NLT), which uses a dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) approach. Read the full text below, compare with other translations, or navigate to any of the 66 chapters in Isaiah.

NIVKJVESVMSGNASB
Chapter 55Chapter 57

1This is what the LORD says: “Be just and fair to all.Do what is right and good,for I am coming soon to rescue youand to display my righteousness among you.

2Blessed are all thosewho are careful to do this.Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of restand keep themselves from doing wrong.

3“Don’t let foreigners who commit themselves to the LORD say,‘The LORD will never let me be part of his people.’And don’t let the eunuchs say,‘I’m a dried-up tree with no children and no future.’

4For this is what the LORD says:I will bless those eunuchswho keep my Sabbath days holyand who choose to do what pleases meand commit their lives to me.

5I will give them — within the walls of my house —a memorial and a namefar greater than sons and daughters could give.For the name I give them is an everlasting one.It will never disappear!

6“I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the LORD,who serve him and love his name,who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest,and who hold fast to my covenant.

7I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalemand will fill them with joy in my house of prayer.I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices,because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations.

8For the Sovereign LORD,who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says:I will bring others, too,besides my people Israel.”

9Come, wild animals of the field!Come, wild animals of the forest!Come and devour my people!

10For the leaders of my people —the LORD’s watchmen, his shepherds —are blind and ignorant.They are like silent watchdogsthat give no warning when danger comes.They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming.

11Like greedy dogs, they are never satisfied.They are ignorant shepherds,all following their own pathand intent on personal gain.

12“Come,” they say, “let’s get some wine and have a party.Let’s all get drunk.Then tomorrow we’ll do it againand have an even bigger party!”

Chapter 55Read in NIVChapter 57

About This Translation

What is Isaiah 56 in the NLT?

Isaiah 56 in the New Living Translation (NLT) contains 12 verses. The NLT uses a dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) approach, first published in 1996 (rev. 2015).

How does the NLT translate Isaiah 56 differently?

The New Living Translation uses dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought), balancing accuracy with modern readability. Compare this with the NIV (dynamic equivalence) version of Isaiah 56 for a different perspective.

How many verses are in Isaiah 56 (NLT)?

Isaiah Chapter 56 contains 12 verses in the New Living Translation. The book of Isaiah has 66 chapters total.

Isaiah (NLT) — All 66 Chapters