13. Stop bringing meaningless offerings!Your incense is detestable to me.New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations –I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
14. Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivalsI hate with all my being.They have become a burden to me;I am weary of bearing them.
15. When you spread out your hands in prayer,I hide my eyes from you;even when you offer many prayers,I am not listening.Your hands are full of blood!
16. Wash and make yourselves clean.Take your evil deeds out of my sight;stop doing wrong.
17. Learn to do right; seek justice.Defend the oppressed.Take up the cause of the fatherless;plead the case of the widow.
18. ‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’says the Lord.‘Though your sins are like scarlet,they shall be as white as snow;though they are red as crimson,they shall be like wool.
19. If you are willing and obedient,you will eat the good things of the land;
20. but if you resist and rebel,you will be devoured by the sword.’For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
21. See how the faithful cityhas become a prostitute!She once was full of justice;righteousness used to dwell in her –but now murderers!
22. Your silver has become dross,your choice wine is diluted with water.
23. Your rulers are rebels,partners with thieves;they all love bribesand chase after gifts.They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;the widow’s case does not come before them.
24. Therefore the Lord, the Lord Almighty,the Mighty One of Israel, declares:‘Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foesand avenge myself on my enemies.
25. I will turn my hand against you;I will thoroughly purge away your drossand remove all your impurities.
26. I will restore your leaders as in days of old,your rulers as at the beginning.Afterwards you will be calledthe City of Righteousness,the Faithful City.’
27. Zion will be delivered with justice,her penitent ones with righteousness.