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. ^c

¹²When you come to appear before Me,

who requires this from you—

this trampling of My courts?

¹³Stop bringing useless offerings. ^d

Your incense is detestable to Me.

New Moons and Sabbaths, ^e

and the calling of solemn assemblies ^f—

I cannot stand iniquity ^gwith 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 lift up your hands in prayer, ^h

I will refuse to look at you;

even if you offer countless prayers,

I will not listen. ⁱ

Your hands are covered with blood. ^j

Purification of Jerusalem

¹⁶“Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. ^k

Remove your evil deeds from My sight.

Stop doing evil. ^l

¹⁷Learn to do what is good.

Seek justice. ^m

Correct the oppressor. ⁿ

Defend the rights of the fatherless.

Plead the widow’s cause.

¹⁸“Come, let us discuss this,” ^o

says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

they will be as white as snow; ^p

though they are as red as crimson,

they will be like wool.

¹⁹If you are willing and obedient,

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

²⁰But if you refuse and rebel,

you will be devoured by the sword.” ^r

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. ^s