⁴ Woe to the sinful nation,
    a people whose guilt is great,^(I)
a brood of evildoers,^(J)
    children given to corruption!^(K)
They have forsaken^(L) the Lord;
    they have spurned the Holy One^(M) of Israel
    and turned their backs^(N) on him.

²¹ See how the faithful city
    has become a prostitute!^(A)
She once was full of justice;
    righteousness^(B) used to dwell in her—
    but now murderers!^(C)
22 Your silver has become dross,^(D)
    your choice wine is diluted with water.
²³ Your rulers are rebels,^(E)
    partners with thieves;^(F)
they all love bribes^(G)
    and chase after gifts.
They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;
    the widow’s case does not come before them.^(H)

²⁴ Therefore the Lord, the Lord Almighty,
    the Mighty One^(I) of Israel, declares:
“Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes
    and avenge^(J) myself on my enemies.^(K)
25 I will turn my hand against you;^[a](L)
    I will thoroughly purge^(M) away your dross^(N)
    and remove all your impurities.^(O)
26 I will restore your leaders as in days of old,^(P)
    your rulers as at the beginning.
Afterward you will be called^(Q)
    the City of Righteousness,^(R)
    the Faithful City.^(S)”

²⁷ Zion will be delivered with justice,
    her penitent^(T) ones with righteousness.^(U)
28 But rebels and sinners^(V) will both be broken,
    and those who forsake^(W) the Lord will perish.^(X)