22. Your silver has become dross, your beer is diluted with water.
23. Your rulers are rebels,friends of thieves. They all love graftand chase after bribes. They do not defend the rights of the fatherless,and the widow’s case never comes before them.
24. Therefore the Lord God of Hosts,the Mighty One of Israel, declares:“Ah, I will gain satisfaction from My foes;I will take revenge against My enemies.
25. I will turn My hand against you and will burn away your dross completely; I will remove all your impurities.
26. I will restore your judges to what they once were, and your advisers to their former state. Afterward you will be called the Righteous City, a Faithful City.”
27. Zion will be redeemed by justice,her repentant ones by righteousness.
28. But both rebels and sinners will be destroyed,and those who abandon the Lord will perish.
29. Indeed, they will be ashamed of the sacred treesyou desired, and you will be embarrassed because of the gardensyou have chosen.
30. For you will become like an oakwhose leaves are withered,and like a garden without water.
31. The strong one will become tinder,and his work a spark;both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames.