9If the LORD of Armies hadn't left us a few survivors, we would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah.
10Listen to the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Pay attention to the teachings from our God, you people of Gomorrah!
11The LORD asks, "What do your many animal sacrifices mean to me? I've had enough of your burnt offerings of rams and enough fat from your fattened calves. I'm not pleased with the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats.
12When you appear in my presence, who asked you to trample on my courtyards?
13Don't bring any more worthless grain offerings. Your incense is disgusting to me, so are your New Moon Festivals, your days of worship, and the assemblies you call. I can't stand your evil assemblies.
14I hate your New Moon Festivals and your appointed festivals. They've become a burden to me, and I'm tired of putting up with them.
15So when you stretch out your hands [in prayer], I will turn my eyes away from you. Even though you offer many prayers, I will not listen because your hands are covered with blood.
16"Wash yourselves! Become clean! Get your evil deeds out of my sight. Stop doing evil.
17Learn to do good. Seek justice. Arrest oppressors. Defend orphans. Plead the case of widows."
18"Come on now, let's discuss this!" says the LORD. "Though your sins are bright red, they will become as white as snow. Though they are dark red, they will become as white as wool.
19If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land.
20But if you refuse and rebel, you will be destroyed by swords." The LORD has spoken.
21How the faithful town has become a prostitute! She was full of justice, and righteousness lived in her. But now murderers live there!
22Your silver is not pure. Your wine is watered down.
23Your rulers are rebels, friends with thieves. They all love bribes and run after gifts. They never defend orphans. They don't notice the widows' pleas.
24That's why the Lord, the LORD of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says, "How horrible it will be when I take revenge on my opponents! I will avenge myself against my enemies.
25I will turn my power against you. I will remove your impurities with bleach. I will get rid of all your impurities.
26I will give you judges like you had long ago, advisers like you had in the beginning. After that you will be called the Righteous City, the Faithful Town."
27Zion will be pardoned by [the LORD's] justice, and those who return will be pardoned by [the LORD's] righteousness.
28Rebels and sinners will be crushed at the same time, and those who abandon the LORD will come to an end.
29You will be ashamed of the oaks that you wanted to worship and embarrassed by the garden that you have chosen for your gods.
30You will be like an oak whose leaves wither and like a garden without water.
31Strong people will become tinder for a fire, and their work will be the spark. Both of them will burn together, and there will be no one to put out the fire.
