Zion Corrupted; Will Be Redeemed

21 How the faithful city has become a (A)prostitute,
She who was full of justice!
Righteousness once dwelt in her,
But now murderers.
22 Your silver has become [a]waste matter,
Your drink diluted with water.
23 Your (B)rulers are rebels
And companions of thieves;
Everyone (C)loves a bribe
And chases after gifts.
They (D)do not obtain justice for the [b]orphan,
Nor does the widow’s case come before them.

24 Therefore the Lord [c]God of armies,
The (E)Mighty One of Israel, declares,
“Ah, I will have satisfaction against My adversaries,
And (F)avenge Myself on My enemies.
25 I will also turn My hand against you,
And (G)smelt away your impurities as with lye;
And I will remove all your slag.
26 Then I will restore your (H)judges as at first,
And your counselors as at the beginning;
After that you will be called the (I)city of righteousness,
A faithful city.”

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 1:22 Lit dross
  2. Isaiah 1:23 Or fatherless
  3. Isaiah 1:24 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord

The Degenerate City

21 How the faithful city
    has become a prostitute!
    She that was full of justice,
righteousness lodged in her—
    but now murderers!(A)
22 Your silver has become dross;
    your wine is mixed with water.(B)
23 Your princes are rebels
    and companions of thieves.
Everyone loves a bribe
    and runs after gifts.
They do not defend the orphan,
    and the widow’s cause does not come before them.(C)

24 Therefore says the Sovereign, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel:
Surely I will pour out my wrath on my enemies
    and avenge myself on my foes!(D)
25 I will turn my hand against you;
    I will smelt away your dross as with lye
    and remove all your alloy.(E)
26 And I will restore your judges as at the first
    and your counselors as at the beginning.
Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness,
    the faithful city.(F)

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