7. Your country has been deserted. Your cities have been burned down. The food from your fields is being eaten up by outsiders. They are doing it right in front of you. Your land has been completely destroyed. It looks as if strangers have taken it over.
8. The city of Zion is left like a hut where someone stands guard in a vineyard. It is left like an empty cabin in a melon field. It's like a city that is being attacked.
9. The Lord who rules over all has let some people live through that time of trouble. If he hadn't, we would have become like Sodom. We would have been like Gomorrah.
10. Rulers of Sodom, hear the Lord's message. People of Gomorrah, listen to the law of our God.
11. "Do you think I need any more of your sacrifices?" asks the Lord. "I have more than enough of your burnt offerings. I have more than enough of rams and the fat of your fattest animals. I do not find any pleasure in the blood of your bulls, lambs and goats.
12. Who asked you to bring all of those animals when you come to worship me? Who asked you and your animals to walk all over my courtyards?
13. Stop bringing offerings that do not mean anything to me! I hate your incense. I can't stand your evil gatherings. I can't stand the way you celebrate your New Moon Feasts, Sabbath days and special services.
14. I hate your New Moon Feasts and your other appointed feasts. They have become a heavy load to me. I am tired of carrying it.
15. You might spread out your hands toward me when you pray. But I will not look at you. You might even offer many prayers. But I will not listen to them. Your hands are covered with the blood of the people you have murdered.
16. So wash your hands. Make yourselves clean. Get your evil actions out of my sight! Stop doing what is wrong!