Isaiah 1:21-31

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

24Therefore the Lord 7God of armies, The 8Mighty One of Israel, declares, “Ah, I will have satisfaction against My adversaries, And 9avenge Myself on My enemies.25I will also turn My hand against you, And 10smelt away your impurities as with lye; And I will remove all your slag.26Then I will restore your 11judges as at 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 15wrongdoers and sinners together will be 16broken, And those who abandon the Lord will come to an end.2917You certainly will be ashamed of the 1819oaks which you have desired, And you will be embarrassed by the 20gardens which you have chosen.30For you will be like an 21oak whose 22leaf withers away, Or like a garden that has no water.31The strong man will become like 23flax fiber, And his work a spark. So they shall both 24burn together And there will be 25no one to extinguish them.