11
What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me?, says Yahweh. I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams, And the fat of fed animals. I don`t delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs, Or of male goats.
12
When you come to appear before me, Who has required this at your hand, to trample my courts?
13
Bring no more vain offerings. Incense is an abomination to me; New moons, Sabbaths, and convocations: I can`t bear with evil assemblies.
14
My soul hates your New Moons and your appointed feasts; they are a trouble to me; I am weary of bearing them.
15
When you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
16
Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil;
17
learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
18
Come now, and let us reason together, says Yahweh: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19
If you be willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land:
20
but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it.
21
How is the faithful city become a prostitute! she who was full of justice! righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.
22
Your silver is become dross, your wine mixed with water.
23
Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards: they don`t judge the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.
24
Therefore says the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of my adversaries, and avenge me of my enemies;
25
and I will turn my hand on you, and thoroughly purge away your dross, and will take away all your tin;
26
and I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning: afterward you shall be called The city of righteousness, a faithful town.
27
Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness.
28
But the destruction of transgressors and sinners shall be together, and those who forsake Yahweh shall be consumed.
29
For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, and you shall be confounded for the gardens that you have chosen.
30
For you shall be as an oak whose leaf fades, and as a garden that has no water.
31
The strong will be like tinder, and his work like a spark. They will both burn together, and no one will quench them.