Old Testament · Prophecy

Isaiah 55

Come, Everyone Who Thirsts

Come to the waters, all who are thirsty. Come without money. God's word will not return empty — it will accomplish what He purposes.

King James Version BSB KJV

1Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

4Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

5Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

6Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

12For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

13Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Understand This

Isaiah 55, explained

What Isaiah 55 is saying

An open invitation: come to the waters, buy without money. Seek the Lord while He may be found. God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours as the heavens are above the earth. His word will not return empty but will accomplish its purpose. The redeemed will go out with joy, and creation itself will celebrate—thorns replaced by cypress, briers by myrtle.

The background behind it

This chapter functions as the conclusion to the 'Book of Consolation' (40–55). The invitation's economic language ('buy without money') subverts Babylonian commerce. The creation's response anticipates Romans 8's groaning creation awaiting redemption.

Themes running underneath

Grace is free but not cheap—it cost everything on God's side. The efficacy of God's word is absolute. And redemption transforms not just people but the entire created order.

Why it still matters

You cannot earn what God offers—stop trying to buy it with your performance. Come thirsty, come empty-handed, and receive what money cannot purchase.

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Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.