15 tWhen you 7spread out your hands,

I will hide My eyes from you;

uEven though you make many prayers,

I will not hear.

Your hands are full of 8blood.

16 “Wash vyourselves, make yourselves clean;

Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.

wCease to do evil,

17 Learn to do good;

Seek justice,

Rebuke 9the oppressor;

1Defend the fatherless,

Plead for the widow.

18 “Come now, and let us xreason together,”

Says the Lord,

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

yThey shall be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson,

They shall be as wool.

19 If you are willing and obedient,

You shall eat the good of the land;

20 But if you refuse and rebel,

You shall be devoured by the sword”;

zFor the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

The Degenerate City

21 aHow the faithful city has become a 2harlot!

It was full of justice;

Righteousness lodged in it,

But now bmurderers.

22 cYour silver has become dross,

Your wine mixed with water.

23 dYour princes are rebellious,

And ecompanions of thieves;

fEveryone loves bribes,

And follows after rewards.

They gdo not defend the fatherless,

Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.