Isaiah 1:21–31

21 The faithful city—

what an adulteress t she has become!

She was once full of justice.

Righteousness once dwelt in her—

but now, murderers!

22 Your silver has become dross, u

your beer v is diluted with water.

23 Your rulers are rebels,

friends of thieves. w

They all love graft

and chase after bribes. x

They do not defend the rights of the fatherless,

and the widow’s case never comes before them. y

24 Therefore the Lord God of Hosts,

the Mighty One of Israel, declares:

“Ah, I will gain satisfaction from My foes;

I will take revenge against My enemies. z

25 I will turn My hand against you a

and will burn away your dross b completely; c

I will remove all your impurities. d

26 I will restore your judges e to what they once were, f

and your advisers to their former state. g

Afterward you will be called the Righteous City, h

a Faithful City.”

27 Zion will be redeemed by justice,

her repentant ones by righteousness. i

28 But both rebels and sinners will be destroyed,

and those who abandon the Lord will perish.

29 Indeed, they j will be ashamed of the sacred trees

you desired, k

and you will be embarrassed because of the gardens

you have chosen. l

30 For you will become like an oak

whose leaves are withered,

and like a garden without water. m

31 The strong one will become tinder,

and his work a spark;

both will burn together, n

with no one to quench the flames. o