7
Your country is desolate, Your cities are burned with fire; Strangers devour your land in your presence; And it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
8
So the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard, As a hut in a garden of cucumbers, As a besieged city.
9
Unless the Lord of hosts Had left to us a very small remnant, We would have become like Sodom, We would have been made like Gomorrah.
10
Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the law of our God, You people of Gomorrah:
11
"To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" Says the Lord. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats.
12
"When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts?
13
Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies-- I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.
14
Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them.
15
When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
16
"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil,
17
Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.