Isaiah 1:10–17

¹⁰Jerusalem, your rulers are like those of Sodom,

and your people are like those of Gomorrah.

Hear the word of the Lord;

listen to the teaching of our God!

¹¹The Lord says,

“I do not want all these sacrifices.

I have had enough of your burnt sacrifices

of male sheep and fat from fine animals.

I am not pleased

by the blood of bulls, lambs, and goats.

¹²You come to meet with me,

but who asked you to do

all this running in and out of my Temple’s rooms?

¹³Don’t continue bringing me worthless sacrifices!

I hate the incense you burn.

I can’t stand your New Moons, Sabbaths, and other feast days;

I can’t stand the evil you do in your holy meetings.

¹⁴I hate your New Moon feasts

and your other yearly feasts.

They have become a heavy weight on me,

and I am tired of carrying it.

¹⁵When you raise your arms to me in prayer,

I will refuse to look at you.

Even if you say many prayers,

I will not listen to you,

because your hands are full of blood.

¹⁶Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean.

Stop doing the evil things I see you do.

Stop doing wrong.

¹⁷Learn to do good.

Seek justice.

Punish those who hurt others.

Help the orphans.

Stand up for the rights of widows.”