17
Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.
18
"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
19
If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;
20
But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword"; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
21
How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers.
22
Your silver has become dross, Your wine mixed with water.
23
Your princes are rebellious, And companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes, And follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.
24
Therefore the Lord says, The Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, "Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries, And take vengeance on My enemies.
25
I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purge away your dross, And take away all your alloy.
26
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."
27
Zion shall be redeemed with justice, And her penitents with righteousness.
28
The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together, And those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.
29
For they shall be ashamed of the terebinth trees Which you have desired; And you shall be embarrassed because of the gardens Which you have chosen.
30
For you shall be as a terebinth whose leaf fades, And as a garden that has no water.
31
The strong shall be as tinder, And the work of it as a spark; Both will burn together, And no one shall quench them.