[1:21] The city that once was faithful is behaving like a whore! At one time it was filled with righteous people, but now only murderers remain.
[1:22] Jerusalem, you were once like silver, but now you are worthless; you were like good wine, but now you are only water.
[1:23] Your leaders are rebels and friends of thieves; they are always accepting gifts and bribes. They never defend orphans in court or listen when widows present their case.
[1:24] So now, listen to what the Lord Almighty, Israel's powerful God, is saying: “I will take revenge on you, my enemies, and you will cause me no more trouble.
[1:25] I will take action against you. I will purify you the way metal is refined, and will remove all your impurity.
[1:26] I will give you rulers and advisers like those you had long ago. Then Jerusalem will be called the righteous, faithful city.”
[1:27] Because the Lord is righteous, he will save Jerusalem and everyone there who repents.
[1:28] But he will crush everyone who sins and rebels against him; he will kill everyone who forsakes him.
[1:29] You will be sorry that you ever worshiped trees and planted sacred gardens.
[1:30] You will wither like a dying oak, like a garden that no one waters.
[1:31] Just as straw is set on fire by a spark, so powerful people will be destroyed by their own evil deeds, and no one will be able to stop the destruction.