10. “Listen to my Message,you Sodom-schooled leaders.Receive God’s revelation,you Gomorrah-schooled people.
11-12. “Why this frenzy of sacrifices?”God’s asking.“Don’t you think I’ve had my fill of burnt sacrifices,rams and plump grain-fed calves?Don’t you think I’ve had my fillof blood from bulls, lambs, and goats?When you come before me,whoever gave you the idea of acting like this,Running here and there, doing this and that—all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?
13-17. “Quit your worship charades.I can’t stand your trivial religious games:Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—meetings, meetings, meetings—I can’t stand one more!Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them!You’ve worn me out!I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion,while you go right on sinning.When you put on your next prayer-performance,I’ll be looking the other way.No matter how long or loud or often you pray,I’ll not be listening.And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearingpeople to pieces, and your hands are bloody.Go home and wash up.Clean up your act.Sweep your lives clean of your evildoingsso I don’t have to look at them any longer.Say no to wrong.Learn to do good.Work for justice.Help the down-and-out.Stand up for the homeless.Go to bat for the defenseless.
18-20. “Come. Sit down. Let’s argue this out.”This is God’s Message:“If your sins are blood-red,they’ll be snow-white.If they’re red like crimson,they’ll be like wool.If you’ll willingly obey,you’ll feast like kings.But if you’re willful and stubborn,you’ll die like dogs.”That’s right. God says so.
21-23. Oh! Can you believe it? The chaste cityhas become a whore!She was once all justice,everyone living as good neighbors,And now they’re allat one another’s throats.Your coins are all counterfeits.Your wine is watered down.Your leaders are turncoatswho keep company with crooks.They sell themselves to the highest bidderand grab anything not nailed down.They never stand up for the homeless,never stick up for the defenseless.