Isaiah 1:21-26

Common English Bible

²¹ This faithful town has become a prostitute!
She was full of justice;
    righteousness lived in her—
    but now murderers.
²² Your silver has become impure;
    your beer is diluted with water.
²³ Your princes are rebels,
    companions of thieves.
Everyone loves a bribe and pursues gifts.
    They don’t defend the orphan,
    and the widow’s cause never reaches them.
²⁴ Therefore, says the Lord God of heavenly forces,
    the mighty one of Israel:
Doom! I will vent my anger against my foes;
    I will take it out on my enemies,
²⁵     and I will turn my hand against you.
I will refine your impurities as with lye,
    and remove all your cinders.
²⁶ Then I will restore your judges as in earlier times,
    and your counselors as at the beginning.
After this you will be called Righteous City, Faithful Town.