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.

¹³ Stop bringing meaningless offerings!^(A)
    Your incense^(B) is detestable^(C) to me.
New Moons,^(D) Sabbaths and convocations^(E)—
    I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
¹⁴ Your New Moon^(F) feasts and your appointed festivals^(G)
    I hate with all my being.^(H)
They have become a burden to me;^(I)
    I am weary^(J) of bearing them.
¹⁵ When you spread out your hands^(K) in prayer,
    I hide^(L) my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
    I am not listening.^(M)

Your hands^(N) are full of blood!^(O)

¹⁶ Wash^(P) and make yourselves clean.
    Take your evil deeds out of my sight;^(Q)
    stop doing wrong.^(R)
17 Learn to do right;^(S) seek justice.^(T)
    Defend the oppressed.^[a](U)
Take up the cause of the fatherless;^(V)
    plead the case of the widow.^(W)

¹⁸ “Come now, let us settle the matter,”^(X)
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;^(Y)
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.^(Z)
19 If you are willing and obedient,^(AA)
    you will eat the good things of the land;^(AB)
20 but if you resist and rebel,^(AC)
    you will be devoured by the sword.”^(AD)
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.^(AE)

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