Isaiah 1:16-28

New International Version

¹⁶Wash^(A) and make yourselves clean.
    Take your evil deeds out of my sight;^(B)
    stop doing wrong.^(C)
¹⁷Learn to do right;^(D) seek justice.^(E)
    Defend the oppressed.^[a]^(F)
Take up the cause of the fatherless;^(G)
    plead the case of the widow.^(H)

¹⁸“Come now, let us settle the matter,”^(I)
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;^(J)
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.^(K)
¹⁹If you are willing and obedient,^(L)
    you will eat the good things of the land;^(M)
²⁰but if you resist and rebel,^(N)
    you will be devoured by the sword.”^(O)
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.^(P)

²¹See how the faithful city
    has become a prostitute!^(Q)
She once was full of justice;
    righteousness^(R) used to dwell in her—
    but now murderers!^(S)
²²Your silver has become dross,^(T)
    your choice wine is diluted with water.
²³Your rulers are rebels,^(U)
    partners with thieves;^(V)
they all love bribes^(W)
    and chase after gifts.
They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;
    the widow’s case does not come before them.^(X)

²⁴Therefore the Lord, the Lord Almighty,
    the Mighty One^(Y) of Israel, declares:
“Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes
    and avenge^(Z) myself on my enemies.^(AA)
²⁵I will turn my hand against you;^[b]^(AB)
    I will thoroughly purge^(AC) away your dross^(AD)
    and remove all your impurities.^(AE)
²⁶I will restore your leaders as in days of old,^(AF)
    your rulers as at the beginning.
Afterward you will be called^(AG)
    the City of Righteousness,^(AH)
    the Faithful City.^(AI)”

²⁷Zion will be delivered with justice,
her penitent^(AJ) ones with righteousness.^(AK)
²⁸But rebels and sinners^(AL) will both be broken,
and those who forsake^(AM) the Lord will perish.^(AN)