Isaiah 1:17–23

learn to do good;

seek justice,

correct oppression;

bring justice to the fatherless,

plead the widow’s cause.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:

though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool.

If you are willing and obedient,

you shall eat the good of the land;

but if you refuse and rebel,

you shall be eaten by the sword;

for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

How the faithful city

has become a whore,

she who was full of justice!

Righteousness lodged in her,

but now murderers.

Your silver has become dross,

your best wine mixed with water.

Your princes are rebels

and companions of thieves.

Everyone loves a bribe

and runs after gifts.

They do not bring justice to the fatherless,

and the widow’s cause does not come to them.

Learn to do right; seek justice.

Defend the oppressed.

Take up the cause of the fatherless;

plead the case of the widow.

“Come now, let us settle the matter,”

says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red as crimson,

they shall be like wool.

If you are willing and obedient,

you will eat the good things of the land;

but if you resist and rebel,

you will be devoured by the sword.”

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

See how the faithful city

has become a prostitute!

She once was full of justice;

righteousness used to dwell in her—

but now murderers!

Your silver has become dross,

your choice wine is diluted with water.

Your rulers are rebels,

partners with thieves;

they all love bribes

and chase after gifts.

They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;

the widow’s case does not come before them.

Learn to do what is good.

Pursue justice.

Correct the oppressor.

Defend the rights of the fatherless.

Plead the widow’s cause.

“Come, let’s settle this,”

says the Lord.

“Though your sins are scarlet,

they will be as white as snow;

though they are crimson red,

they will be like wool.

If you are willing and obedient,

you will eat the good things of the land.

But if you refuse and rebel,

you will be devoured by the sword.”

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

The faithful town—

what an adulteress she has become!

She was once full of justice.

Righteousness once dwelt in her,

but now, murderers!

Your silver has become dross to be discarded,

your beer is diluted with water.

Your rulers are rebels,

friends of thieves.

They all love graft

and chase after bribes.

They do not defend the rights of the fatherless,

and the widow’s case never comes before them.

Learn to do good.

Seek justice.

Help the oppressed.

Defend the cause of orphans.

Fight for the rights of widows.

“Come now, let’s settle this,”

says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

I will make them as white as snow.

Though they are red like crimson,

I will make them as white as wool.

If you will only obey me,

you will have plenty to eat.

But if you turn away and refuse to listen,

you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies.

I, the Lord, have spoken!”

See how Jerusalem, once so faithful,

has become a prostitute.

Once the home of justice and righteousness,

she is now filled with murderers.

Once like pure silver,

you have become like worthless slag.

Once so pure,

you are now like watered-down wine.

Your leaders are rebels,

the companions of thieves.

All of them love bribes

and demand payoffs,

but they refuse to defend the cause of orphans

or fight for the rights of widows.

Learn to do good!

Seek justice! Rescue the oppressed!

Defend the orphan! Plead for the widow!

“Come now, and let us argue,” says Yahweh.

“Even though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white like snow;

even though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

If you are willing and you are obedient,

you shall eat the good of the land.

But if you refuse and you rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword.

For the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.”

How has a faithful city become like a whore?

Full of justice, righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.

Your silver has become as dross;

Your wine is diluted with waters.

Your princes are rebels

and companions of thieves.

Every one loves a bribe

and runs after gifts.

They do not defend the orphan

and the legal dispute of the widow does not come before them.

Learn to do well;

Seek judgment, relieve the oppressed,

Judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord:

Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

But if ye refuse and rebel,

Ye shall be devoured with the sword:

For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

How is the faithful city become an harlot!

It was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it;

But now murderers.

Thy silver is become dross,

Thy wine mixed with water:

Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves:

Every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards:

They judge not the fatherless,

Neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.