²¹ The faithful town—
what an adulteress^[a] she has become!
She was once full of justice.
Righteousness once dwelt in her,
but now, murderers!
²² Your silver has become dross to be discarded,
your beer^[b] is diluted with water.
²³ Your rulers are rebels,
friends of thieves.^(A)
They all love graft
and chase after bribes.^(B)
They do not defend the rights of the fatherless,
and the widow’s case never comes before them.^(C)

²⁴ Therefore the Lord God of Armies,
the Mighty One of Israel, declares:
“Ah, I will get even with my foes;
I will take revenge against my enemies.^(D)
25 I will turn my hand against you^(E)
and will burn away your dross completely;^[c]
I will remove all your impurities.^(F)
26 I will restore your judges^(G) to what they were at first,
and your advisers to what they were at the start.
Afterward you will be called the Righteous City,^(H)
a Faithful Town.”