Isaiah 1:10–17

¹⁰Hear the word of the Lord,^o

you rulers of Sodom;^p

listen to the instruction^q of our God,

you people of Gomorrah!^r

¹¹“The multitude of your sacrifices—

what are they to me?” says the Lord.

“I have more than enough of burnt offerings,

of rams and the fat of fattened animals;^s

I have no pleasure^t

in the blood of bulls^u and lambs and goats.^v

¹²When you come to appear before me,

who has asked this of you,^w

this trampling of my courts?

¹³Stop bringing meaningless offerings!^x

Your incense^y is detestable^z to me.

New Moons,^a Sabbaths and convocations^b—

I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.

¹⁴Your New Moon^c feasts and your appointed festivals^d

I hate with all my being.^e

They have become a burden to me;^f

I am weary^g of bearing them.

¹⁵When you spread out your hands^h in prayer,

I hideⁱ my eyes from you;

even when you offer many prayers,

I am not listening.^j

Your hands^k are full of blood!^l

¹⁶Wash^m and make yourselves clean.

Take your evil deeds out of my sight;ⁿ

stop doing wrong.^o

¹⁷Learn to do right;^p seek justice.^q

Defend the oppressed.^ar

Take up the cause of the fatherless;^s

plead the case of the widow.^t