17. Learn to do good.Seek justice.Help the oppressed.Defend the cause of orphans.Fight for the rights of widows.
18. “Come now, let’s settle this,”says the lord.“Though your sins are like scarlet,I will make them as white as snow.Though they are red like crimson,I will make them as white as wool.
19. If you will only obey me,you will have plenty to eat.
20. But if you turn away and refuse to listen,you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies.I, the lord, have spoken!”
21. See how Jerusalem, once so faithful,has become a prostitute.Once the home of justice and righteousness,she is now filled with murderers.
22. Once like pure silver,you have become like worthless slag.Once so pure,you are now like watered-down wine.
23. Your leaders are rebels,the companions of thieves.All of them love bribesand demand payoffs,but they refuse to defend the cause of orphansor fight for the rights of widows.
24. Therefore, the Lord, the lord of Heaven’s Armies,the Mighty One of Israel, says,“I will take revenge on my enemiesand pay back my foes!
25. I will raise my fist against you.I will melt you down and skim off your slag.I will remove all your impurities.
26. Then I will give you good judges againand wise counselors like you used to have.Then Jerusalem will again be called the Home of Justiceand the Faithful City.”
27. Zion will be restored by justice;those who repent will be revived by righteousness.