15. When you extend your hands,I’ll hide my eyes from you.Even when you pray for a long time,I won’t listen.Your hands are stained with blood.
16. Wash! Be clean!Remove your ugly deeds from my sight.Put an end to such evil;
17. learn to do good.Seek justice:help the oppressed;defend the orphan;plead for the widow.
18. Come now, and let’s settle this,says the Lord.Though your sins are like scarlet,they will be white as snow.If they are red as crimson,they will become like wool.
19. If you agree and obey,you will eat the best food of the land.
20. But if you refuse and rebel,you will be devoured by the sword.The Lord has said this.
21. This faithful town has become a prostitute!She was full of justice;righteousness lived in her—but now murderers.
22. Your silver has become impure;your beer is diluted with water.
23. Your princes are rebels,companions of thieves.Everyone loves a bribe and pursues gifts.They don’t defend the orphan,and the widow’s cause never reaches them.
24. Therefore, says the Lord God of heavenly forces,the mighty one of Israel:Doom! I will vent my anger against my foes;I will take it out on my enemies,
25. and I will turn my hand against you.I will refine your impurities as with lye,and remove all your cinders.
26. Then I will restore your judges as in earlier times,and your counselors as at the beginning.After this you will be called Righteous City, Faithful Town.