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 city has 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 bribes and 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 foes and avenge myself on my enemies.
25. I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.
26. I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.”