12. When you appear in my presence,who asked you to trample on my courtyards?
13. Don’t bring any more worthless grain offerings.Your incense is disgusting to me,so are your New Moon Festivals, your days of worship,and the assemblies you call.I can’t stand your evil assemblies.
14. I hate your New Moon Festivals and your appointed festivals.They’ve become a burden to me,and I’m tired of putting up with them.
15. So when you stretch out your hands ⌊in prayer⌋,I will turn my eyes away from you.Even though you offer many prayers,I will not listen because your hands are covered with blood.
16. “Wash yourselves! Become clean!Get your evil deeds out of my sight.Stop doing evil.
17. Learn to do good.Seek justice.Arrest oppressors.Defend orphans.Plead the case of widows.”
18. “Come on now, let’s discuss this!” says the Lord.“Though your sins are bright red,they will become as white as snow.Though they are dark red,they will become as white as wool.
19. If you are willing and obedient,you will eat the best from the land.
20. But if you refuse and rebel,you will be destroyed by swords.”The Lord has spoken.
21. How the faithful town has become a prostitute!She was full of justice,and righteousness lived in her.But now murderers live there!