Isaiah 1:9-31

91Unless the Lord of hosts Had left us a few 2survivors, We would be like 3Sodom, We would be like Gomorrah.

10Hear 4the word of the Lord, You rulers of 5Sodom; Give ear to the instruction of our God, You people of Gomorrah.11“6What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I 7have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.12When you come 8to appear before Me, Who requires 9of you this trampling of My courts?13Bring your worthless offerings no longer, 10Incense is an abomination to Me. 11New moon and sabbath, the 12calling of assemblies-- I cannot 13endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.14I hate your new moon festivals and your 14appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am 15weary of bearing them.15So when you 16spread out your hands in prayer, 17I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you 18multiply prayers, I will not listen. 19Your hands are 20covered with blood.

16“21Wash yourselves, 22make yourselves clean; 23Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. 24Cease to do evil,17Learn to do good; 25Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, 2627Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.

18“Come now, and 28let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “29Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.1930If you consent and obey, You will 31eat the best of the land;20But if you refuse and rebel, You will be 32devoured by the sword.” Truly, 33the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

21How the faithful city has become a 34harlot, 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 35rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone 36loves a bribe And chases after rewards. They 37do not 38defend the 39orphan, Nor does the widow’s plea come before them.

24Therefore the Lord 40God of hosts, The 41Mighty One of Israel, declares, “Ah, I will be relieved of My adversaries And 42avenge Myself on My foes.25I will also turn My hand against you, And will 43smelt away your dross as with lye And will remove all your alloy.26Then I will restore your 44judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning; After that you will be called the 45city of righteousness, A faithful city.”

27Zion will be 46redeemed with justice And her 47repentant ones with righteousness.28But 48transgressors and sinners will be 49crushed together, And those who forsake the Lord will come to an end.29Surely 50you will be ashamed of the 5152oaks which you have desired, And you will be embarrassed at the 53gardens which you have chosen.30For you will be like an 54oak whose 55leaf 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 56burn together And there will be 57none to quench them.