[1:21] How the faithful city has become a whore, she who was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.
[1:22] Your silver has become dross, your best wine mixed with water.
[1:23] Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow’s cause does not come to them.
[1:24] Therefore the Lord declares, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: “Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge myself on my foes.
[1:25] I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.
[1:26] And 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.”
[1:27] Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness.
[1:28] But rebels and sinners shall be broken together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.
[1:29] For they shall be ashamed of the oaks that you desired; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen.
[1:30] For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water.
[1:31] And the strong shall become tinder, and his work a spark, and both of them shall burn together, with none to quench them.