1
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In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple. |
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2
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Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. |
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3
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And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” |
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4
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At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke. |
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5
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Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.” |
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6
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Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. |
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7
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And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.” |
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8
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Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!” |
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9
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And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ |
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10
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Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” |
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11
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Then I asked: “How long, O Lord?” And He replied: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left unoccupied and the land is desolate and ravaged, |
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12
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until the LORD has driven men far away and the land is utterly forsaken. |
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13
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And though a tenth remains in the land, it will be burned again. As the terebinth and oak leave stumps when felled, so the holy seed will be a stump in the land.” |
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