Isaiah 1:21-31

21How the faithful city has become a 1harlot, She who was full of justice! Righteousness once lodged in her, But now murderers.22Your silver has become dross, Your drink diluted with water.23Your 2rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone 3loves a bribe And chases after rewards. They 4do not 5defend the 6orphan, Nor does the widow’s plea come before them.

24Therefore the Lord 7God of hosts, The 8Mighty One of Israel, declares, “Ah, I will be relieved of My adversaries And 9avenge Myself on My foes.25I will also turn My hand against you, And will 10smelt away your dross as with lye And will remove all your alloy.26Then I will restore your 11judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning; After that you will be called the 12city of righteousness, A faithful city.”

27Zion will be 13redeemed with justice And her 14repentant ones with righteousness.28But 15transgressors and sinners will be 16crushed together, And those who forsake the Lord will come to an end.29Surely 17you will be ashamed of the 1819oaks which you have desired, And you will be embarrassed at the 20gardens which you have chosen.30For you will be like an 21oak whose 22leaf fades away Or as a garden that has no water.31The strong man will become tinder, His work also a spark. Thus they shall both 23burn together And there will be 24none to quench them.