Isaiah 1:11–20

¹¹“What are all your sacrifices to me?”

asks the Lord.

“I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams

and the fat of well-fed cattle;

I have no desire for the blood of bulls,

lambs, or male goats.^y

¹²When you come to appear before me,

who requires this from you—

this trampling of my courts?

¹³Stop bringing useless offerings.^z

Your incense is detestable to me.

New Moons and Sabbaths,^aa

and the calling of solemn assemblies^ab—

I cannot stand iniquity^ac with a festival.

¹⁴I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals.

They have become a burden to me;

I am tired of putting up with them.

¹⁵When you spread out your hands in prayer,^ad

I will refuse to look at you;

even if you offer countless prayers,

I will not listen.^ae

Your hands are covered with blood.^af

PURIFICATION OF JERUSALEM

¹⁶“Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves.^ag

Remove your evil deeds from my sight.

Stop doing evil.^ah

¹⁷Learn to do what is good.

Pursue justice.^ai

Correct the oppressor.^A

Defend the rights of the fatherless.

Plead the widow’s cause.

¹⁸“Come, let’s settle this,”^a

says the Lord.

“Though your sins are scarlet,

they will be as white as snow;^b

though they are crimson red,

they will be like wool.

¹⁹If you are willing and obedient,

you will eat the good things of the land.^c

²⁰But if you refuse and rebel,

you will be devoured by the sword.”^d

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.^e