Isaiah 1:18
New International Version
“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.

New Living Translation
“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.

English Standard Version
“Come now, 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 become like wool.

Berean Standard Bible
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“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.

New American Standard Bible
“Come now, and let us debate your case,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They shall become as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.

NASB 1995
“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.

NASB 1977
“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.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says Yahweh, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.

Amplified Bible
“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 like wool.

Christian Standard Bible
“Come, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Come, let us discuss this,” says the LORD.” Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool.

American Standard Version
Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Contemporary English Version
I, the LORD, invite you to come and talk it over. Your sins are scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Come on now, let's discuss this!" says the LORD. "Though your sins are bright red, they will become as white as snow. Though they are dark red, they will become as white as wool.

Good News Translation
The LORD says, "Now, let's settle the matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool.

International Standard Version
"Please come, and let's reason together," implores the LORD. "Even though your sins are like scarlet, they'll be white like snow. Though they're like crimson, they'll become like wool.

Majority Standard Bible
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

NET Bible
Come, let's consider your options," says the LORD. "Though your sins have stained you like the color red, you can become white like snow; though they are as easy to see as the color scarlet, you can become white like wool.

New Heart English Bible
"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.

Webster's Bible Translation
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

World English Bible
“Come now, and let’s reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Now come, and we settle this,” says YHWH, “If your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow, "" If they are red as crimson, they will be as wool!

Young's Literal Translation
Come, I pray you, and we reason, saith Jehovah, If your sins are as scarlet, as snow they shall be white, If they are red as crimson, as wool they shall be!

Smith's Literal Translation
Come now we will confute together Jehovah will say: if your sins shall be as deep scarlet, they shall be white as snow; if they shall be red as crimson, they shall be as wool.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And then come, and accuse me, saith the Lord: if your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow: and if they be red as crimson, they shall be white as wool.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And then approach and accuse me, says the Lord. Then, if your sins are like scarlet, they shall be made white like snow; and if they are red like vermillion, they shall become white like wool.

New American Bible
Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be red like crimson, they may become white as wool.

New Revised Standard Version
Come now, let us argue it out, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be like wool.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And come, we shall speak with each other, says LORD JEHOVAH, and if your sins will be as scarlet, they will be white as snow, and if they turn red as scarlet dye, they shall be as wool
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And come, let us reason together, saith the Lord: and though your sins be as purple, I will make them white as snow; and though they be as scarlet, I will make them white as wool.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Meaningless Offerings
17Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” 18“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. 19If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land.…

Cross References
Psalm 51:7
Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Revelation 7:14
“Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Hebrews 9:14
how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!

Titus 3:5
He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

Matthew 11:28
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Romans 3:23-24
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, / and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

Jeremiah 31:34
No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”

Micah 7:18-19
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? / He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Zechariah 3:3-5
Now Joshua was dressed in filthy garments as he stood before the angel. / So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.” / Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So a clean turban was placed on his head, and they clothed him, as the angel of the LORD stood by.

Daniel 9:9
To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against Him

Exodus 34:6-7
Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”


Treasury of Scripture

Come now, and let us reason together, said 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.

and let us

Isaiah 41:21
Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.

Isaiah 43:24-26
Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities…

1 Samuel 12:7
Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.

though your

Isaiah 44:22
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

Psalm 51:7
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Micah 7:18,19
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy…

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Isaiah 1
1. Isaiah complains of Judah for her rebellion
5. He laments her judgments
10. He upbraids their whole service
16. He exhorts to repentance, with promises and threats
21. Bewailing their wickedness, he denounces God's judgments
25. He promises grace
28. And threatens destruction to the wicked














Come now
This phrase is an invitation from God, emphasizing immediacy and urgency. The Hebrew word "לְכוּ־נָא" (lechu-na) suggests a call to action, a divine summons to engage in dialogue. It reflects God's desire for reconciliation and His willingness to meet humanity where they are. Historically, this reflects the prophetic tradition where God often calls His people to repentance and renewal.

let us reason together
The Hebrew word "נִוָּכְחָה" (nivvakha) implies a process of deliberation and judgment. It is not merely a casual conversation but a profound engagement where God invites His people to understand the gravity of their situation. This reflects the judicial language often found in prophetic literature, where God presents His case against Israel, yet offers a path to redemption.

says the LORD
This phrase underscores the authority and sovereignty of God. The use of "יהוה" (YHWH) is significant, as it is the covenant name of God, reminding the Israelites of His eternal faithfulness and unchanging nature. It is a reminder that the invitation to reason and the promise of forgiveness come from the highest authority.

Though your sins are like scarlet
The word "scarlet" (שָׁנִי, shani) refers to a bright red dye, often associated with luxury and wealth in ancient times. However, in this context, it symbolizes the depth and visibility of sin. The imagery suggests that sin is deeply ingrained and conspicuous, much like the indelible nature of scarlet dye.

they shall be as white as snow
Snow (שֶׁלֶג, sheleg) is used here as a metaphor for purity and cleansing. In the ancient Near East, snow was a rare and beautiful sight, symbolizing a fresh start and the possibility of transformation. This promise of purification is central to the message of redemption and grace.

though they are red as crimson
The term "crimson" (תּוֹלָע, tola) refers to another deep red dye, often derived from the kermes insect. This imagery reinforces the idea of sin's pervasive and stubborn nature. Historically, crimson was a color used in royal garments, indicating the seriousness and weight of sin.

they shall be like wool
Wool (צֶמֶר, tzemer) is a symbol of natural purity and innocence. The transformation from crimson to wool signifies a complete renewal and restoration. Wool, being a common material in ancient Israel, also suggests accessibility and the everyday nature of God's grace. This promise highlights the transformative power of God's forgiveness, turning what is stained and impure into something clean and new.

(18) Come now, and let us reason together.--The Authorised Version suggests the thought of a discussion between equals. The Hebrew implies rather the tone of one who gives an authoritative ultimatum, as from a judge to the accused, who had no defence, or only a sham defence, to offer (Micah 6:2-3). "Let us sum up the pleadings--that ultimatum is one of grace and mercy--'Repent, and be forgiven.'"

Though your sins be as scarlet.--The two colours probably corresponded to those now designated by the English words. Both words point to the dyes of Tyre, and the words probably received a fresh emphasis from the fact that robes of these colours were worn by the princes to whom Isaiah preached (2Samuel 1:24). To the prophet's eye that dark crimson was as the stain of blood. What Jehovah promises is that the guilt of the past, deep-dyed in grain as it might be, should be discharged, and leave the character with a restored purity. Men might dye their souls of this or that hue, but to bleach them was the work of God. He alone could transfigure them that they should be "white as snow" (Mark 9:3). Comp. the reproduction of the thought, with the added paradox that it was the crimson "blood of the lamb" that was to bleach and cleanse, in Revelation 3:4-5; Revelation 7:14. . . .

Verse 18. - Come now, and let us reason together. God has from time to time permitted man to reason with him (Genesis 18:23-32; Exodus 4:1-17; Job 23:3-7; Micah 6:2); but it is difficult to see that there is any "reasoning" or "controversy" here. Mr. Cheyne translates, "Let us bring our dispute to an end." Though your sins be as scarlet... like crimson; i.e. "open, evident, glaring." Or there may be an allusion to their blood-guiltiness (see vers. 15, 19). They shall be as white as snow. Comp. Psalm 51:7, which is completely parallel, whether it was written before or after. There can be no better image of, purity than snow (comp. Job 9:30; Lamentations 4:7). As wool. A weaker illustration than the preceding one, but needed for the parallelism. (The resemblance of falling snow to wool is noted in Psalm 147:16.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Come
לְכוּ־ (lə·ḵū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

now,
נָ֛א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

let us reason together,”
וְנִוָּֽכְחָ֖ה (wə·niw·wā·ḵə·ḥāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 3198: To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convict

says
יֹאמַ֣ר (yō·mar)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the LORD.
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

“Though
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

your sins
חֲטָאֵיכֶ֤ם (ḥă·ṭā·’ê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 2399: A crime, its penalty

are
יִֽהְי֨וּ (yih·yū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

like scarlet,
כַּשָּׁנִים֙ (kaš·šā·nîm)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8144: Crimson, the insect, its color, stuff dyed with it

they will be as white
יַלְבִּ֔ינוּ (yal·bî·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3835: To be, white, to make bricks

as snow;
כַּשֶּׁ֣לֶג (kaš·še·leḡ)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7950: Snow

though
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

they are as red
יַאְדִּ֥ימוּ (ya’·dî·mū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 119: Flush, turn rosy

as crimson,
כַתּוֹלָ֖ע (ḵat·tō·w·lā‘)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8438: The crimson-grub, of the color, from it, cloths dyed therewith

they will become
יִהְיֽוּ׃ (yih·yū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

like wool.
כַּצֶּ֥מֶר (kaṣ·ṣe·mer)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6785: Wool


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 1:18 Come now and let us reason together (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 1:17
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