Isaiah 1:11–31

¹¹“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?”

says the LORD.

“I am full from the burnt offerings of rams

and the fat of well-fed cattle;

I take no delight in the blood of bulls

and lambs and goats.

¹²When you come to appear before Me,

who has required this of you—

this trampling of My courts?

¹³Bring your worthless offerings no more;

your incense is detestable to Me.

New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—

I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly.

¹⁴I hate your New Moons

and your appointed feasts.

They have become a burden to Me;

I am weary of bearing them.

¹⁵When you spread out your hands in prayer,

I will hide My eyes from you;

even though you multiply your prayers,

I will not listen.

Your hands are covered with blood.

¹⁶Wash and cleanse yourselves.

Remove your evil deeds from My sight.

Stop doing evil!

¹⁷Learn to do right;

seek justice and correct the oppressor.^c

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.

²⁰But if you resist and rebel,

you will be devoured by the sword.”

For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

²¹See how the faithful city has become a harlot!

She once was full of justice;

righteousness resided within her,

but now only murderers!

²²Your silver has become dross;

your fine wine is diluted with water.

²³Your rulers are rebels,

friends of thieves.

They all love bribes

and chasing after rewards.

They do not defend the fatherless,

and the plea of the widow never comes before them.

²⁴Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts,

the Mighty One of Israel, declares:

“Ah, I will be relieved of My foes

and avenge Myself on My enemies.

²⁵I will turn My hand against you;

I will thoroughly purge your dross;

I will remove all your impurities.

²⁶I will restore your judges as at first,

and your counselors as at the beginning.

After that you will be called the City of Righteousness,

the Faithful City.”

²⁷Zion will be redeemed with justice,

her repentant ones with righteousness.

²⁸But rebels and sinners will together be shattered,

and those who forsake the LORD will perish.

²⁹Surely you will be ashamed of the sacred oaks

in which you have delighted;

you will be embarrassed by the gardens

that you have chosen.

³⁰For you will become like an oak whose leaves are withered,

like a garden without water.

³¹The strong man will become tinder

and his work will be a spark;

both will burn together,

with no one to quench the flames.