ISAIAH 1:17-30

¹⁷learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

¹⁸Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

¹⁹If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

²⁰but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

²¹How is the faithful city become an harlot! she that was full of judgment! righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.

²²Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water.

²³Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

²⁴Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:

²⁵and I will turn my hand upon thee, and throughly purge away thy dross, and will take away all thy tin:

²⁶and I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called The city of righteousness, the faithful city.

²⁷Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.

²⁸But the destruction of the transgressors and the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.

²⁹For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.

³⁰For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.