December 1, 2007

Isaiah 1:21-31

See how the faithful city has become a harlot!
She once was full of justice;
righteousness used to dwell in her— but now murderers!

Your silver has become dross,
your choice wine is diluted with water.
Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves;
they all love bribes and chase after gifts.
They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;
the widow's case does not come before them.

Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty,
the Mighty One of Israel, declares:
"Ah, I will get relief from my foes and avenge myself on my enemies.

I will turn my hand against you;
I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.

I will restore your judges as in days of old,
your counselors as at the beginning.
Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City."

Zion will be redeemed with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness.

But rebels and sinners will both be broken,
and those who forsake the LORD will perish.
"You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted;
you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen.
You will be like an oak with fading leaves, like a garden without water.
The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark;
both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire."