Isaiah 1:17–23

¹⁷Learn to do what is right!

Treat people fairly.

Give hope to those who are beaten down.

Cheer them up.

Stand up in court for children whose fathers have died.

And do the same thing for widows.

¹⁸“Come. Let us talk some more about this matter,”

says the Lord.

“Even though your sins are bright red,

they will be as white as snow.

Even though they are deep red,

they will be white like wool.

¹⁹But you have to be willing to change and obey me.

If you are, you will eat the best food that grows on the land.

²⁰You must follow me. You must obey me.

If you do not, you will be killed with swords.”

The Lord has spoken.

²¹See how the faithful city of Jerusalem

has become like a prostitute!

Once it was full of people who treated others fairly.

Those who did what was right used to live in it.

But now murderers live there!

²²Jerusalem, your silver isn’t pure anymore.

Your best wine has been made weak with water.

²³Your rulers refuse to obey the Lord.

They are companions of robbers.

All of them love to accept money from those who want special favors.

They are always looking for gifts from other people.

They don’t stand up in court for children whose fathers have died.

They don’t do it for widows either.