Isaiah 1:11–20

¹¹“^aWhat are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?”

Says the Lord.

“I ¹have had enough of burnt offerings of rams

And the fat of fed cattle;

And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.

¹²“When you come ^ato appear before Me,

Who requires ¹of you this trampling of My courts?

¹³“Bring your worthless offerings no longer,

^aIncense is an abomination to Me.

^bNew moon and sabbath, the ^ccalling of assemblies—

I cannot ^dendure iniquity and the solemn assembly.

¹⁴“I hate your new moon festivals and your ^aappointed feasts,

They have become a burden to Me;

I am ^bweary of bearing them.

¹⁵“So when you ^aspread out your hands in prayer,

^bI will hide My eyes from you;

Yes, even though you ^cmultiply prayers,

I will not listen.

^dYour hands are ¹covered with blood.

¹⁶“^aWash yourselves, ^bmake yourselves clean;

^cRemove the evil of your deeds from My sight.

^dCease to do evil,

¹⁷Learn to do good;

^aSeek justice,

Reprove the ruthless,

^1bDefend the orphan,

Plead for the widow.

“Let Us Reason”

¹⁸“Come now, and ^alet us reason together,”

Says the Lord,

“^bThough your sins are as scarlet,

They will be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson,

They will be like wool.

¹⁹“^aIf you consent and obey,

You will ^beat the best of the land;

²⁰“But if you refuse and rebel,

You will be ^adevoured by the sword.”

Truly, ^bthe mouth of the Lord has spoken.