12. When you come to appear before me,who asks these things of you?
13. Trample my courts no more!To bring offerings is useless;incense is an abomination to me.New moon and sabbath, calling assemblies—festive convocations with wickedness—these I cannot bear.
14. Your new moons and festivals I detest;they weigh me down, I tire of the load.
15. When you spread out your hands,I will close my eyes to you;Though you pray the more,I will not listen.Your hands are full of blood!
16. Wash yourselves clean!Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes;cease doing evil;
17. learn to do good.Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.
18. Come now, let us set things right,says the Lord:Though your sins be like scarlet,they may become white as snow;Though they be red like crimson,they may become white as wool.
19. If you are willing, and obey,you shall eat the good things of the land;
20. But if you refuse and resist,you shall be eaten by the sword:for the mouth of the Lord has spoken!
21. How she has become a prostitute,the faithful city, so upright!Justice used to lodge within her,but now, murderers.