All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

In these poignant lines, often attributed to "Second Isaiah," the speaker uses the imagery of a lamb to convey the theme of suffering and sacrifice. The passage reflects on the universal tendency of humans to stray from moral paths, describing how every individual turns to their own way, diverging from collective righteousness. Yet, hope emerges in the figure of the "suffering servant," who bears the collective sins silently, much like a lamb led to slaughter. This servant's silence in the face of oppression underscores his acceptance and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. In Christian theology, this passage is frequently interpreted as a prophetic reference to Jesus Christ, whose life and death embody these themes of atonement and redemption. The metaphor of the lamb emphasizes innocence and purity, heightening the impact of the servant's quiet endurance.