Isaiah 56:1

This is what the LORD says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for My salvation is coming soon, and My righteousness will be revealed.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Yahweh speaks directly to a broad assembly that includes foreigners and eunuchs attached to His name (Isa 56:3–5), issuing a command in the face of imminent salvation.

The words — שִׁמְר֥וּ (shimru) is a plural imperative of "guard/keep," a watchman's duty rather than a soft exhortation. It binds מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, justice) to צְדָקָה (tzedakah, righteousness), the standard Hebrew twin for right conduct before God and neighbor.

The thread — The proximity of salvation echoes Psalms 85:9 and Romans 13:11, while the call to cease evil deeds links to Isaiah 1:16.

Why it lands — It converts eschatological hope into present obligation: justice and righteousness are not rewards to be received but work to be done while the window is open.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

כֹּ֚הkohthus אָמַ֣ר'a.Marhe says יְהוָ֔הYah.wehYahweh שִׁמְר֥וּshim.Rukeep מִשְׁפָּ֖טmish.Patjustice וַעֲשׂ֣וּva./'a.Suand/ do צְדָקָ֑הtze.da.Kahrighteousness כִּֽי־ki-for קְרוֹבָ֤הke.ro.Vah[is] near יְשֽׁוּעָתִי֙ye.shu.'a.T/isalvation/ my לָב֔וֹאla./Vo'to/ come וְצִדְקָתִ֖יve./tzid.ka.T/iand/ righteousness/ my לְהִגָּלֽוֹת׃le./hi.ga.Lotto/ be revealed

King James Version

Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

Cross-references

Psalms 85:9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.
Romans 13:11 And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
Isaiah 1:16 Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!
Matthew 3:2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Romans 1:17 For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Psalms 24:4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.
Romans 10:6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down)
Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
Isaiah 46:13 I am bringing My righteousness near; it is not far away, and My salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion and adorn Israel with My splendor.
Isaiah 51:5 My righteousness draws near, My salvation is on the way, and My arms will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look for Me and wait in hope for My arm.