Isaiah 1:11–20

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

¹⁸“Come now, let us settle the matter,”^u

says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;^v

though they are red as crimson,

they shall be like wool.^w

¹⁹If you are willing and obedient,^x

you will eat the good things of the land;^y

²⁰but if you resist and rebel,^z

you will be devoured by the sword.”^a

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.^b