The Unfaithful City

21 How the faithful city
    (A)has become a whore,[a]
    (B)she who was full of justice!
Righteousness lodged in her,
    but now murderers.
22 (C)Your silver has become dross,
    your best wine mixed with water.
23 Your princes are rebels
    and companions of thieves.
Everyone (D)loves a bribe
    and runs after gifts.
(E)They do not bring justice to the fatherless,
    and the widow's cause does not come to them.

24 Therefore the (F)Lord declares,
    the Lord of hosts,
    the (G)Mighty One of Israel:
“Ah, I will get relief from my enemies
    (H)and avenge myself on my foes.
25 (I)I will turn my hand against you
    and will smelt away your (J)dross as with lye
    and remove all your alloy.
26 And I will restore your judges (K)as at the first,
    and your counselors as at the beginning.
Afterward (L)you shall be called the city of righteousness,
    the faithful city.”

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 1:21 Or become unchaste

The Degenerate City

21 How the faithful city
    has become a harlot,
    she that was full of justice!
Righteousness lodged in her,
    but now murderers.
22 Your silver has become dross,
    your wine mixed with water.
23 Your princes are rebels
    and companions of thieves.
Every one loves a bribe
    and runs after gifts.
They do not defend the fatherless,
    and the widow’s cause does not come to them.

24 Therefore the Lord says,
    the Lord of hosts,
    the Mighty One of Israel:
“Ah, I will vent my wrath on my enemies,
    and avenge myself on my foes.
25 I will turn my hand against you
    and will smelt away your dross as with lye
    and remove all your alloy.
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.”

Read full chapter