11. “Of what use to Me are your many slaughterings?” declares יהוה. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats.
12. “When you come to appear before Me, who has required this from your hand, to trample My courtyards?
13. “Stop bringing futile offerings, incense, it is an abomination to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, the calling of meetings – I am unable to bear unrighteousness and assembly.
14. “My being hates your New Moons and your appointed times, they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them.
15. “And when you spread out your hands, I hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I do not hear. Your hands have become filled with blood.
16. “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Stop doing evil!
17. “Learn to do good! Seek right-ruling, reprove the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.
18. “Come now, and let us reason together,” says יהוה. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19. “If you submit and obey, you shall eat the good of the land;
20. but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword,” for the mouth of יהוה has spoken.
21. How the steadfast city has become a whore! I have filled it with right-ruling; righteousness lodged in it, but now murderers.