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.

¹⁶ Wash^(A) and make yourselves clean.
    Take your evil deeds out of my sight;^(B)
    stop doing wrong.^(C)
17 Learn to do right;^(D) seek justice.^(E)
    Defend the oppressed.^[a](F)
Take up the cause of the fatherless;^(G)
    plead the case of the widow.^(H)

¹⁸ “Come now, let us settle the matter,”^(I)
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;^(J)
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.^(K)
19 If you are willing and obedient,^(L)
    you will eat the good things of the land;^(M)
20 but if you resist and rebel,^(N)
    you will be devoured by the sword.”^(O)
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.^(P)