Isaiah 1:21-31 21 How the faithful city has become a whore! She that was full of justice,  righteousness lodged in her— but now murderers!  22 Your silver has become dross, your wine is mixed with water.  23 Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves.  Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts.  They do not defend the orphan, and the widow’s cause does not come before them.  24 Therefore says the Sovereign, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: Ah, I will pour out my wrath on my enemies, and avenge myself on my foes!  25 I will turn my hand against you; I will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.  26 And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counsellors as at the beginning. Afterwards you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.  27 Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness.  28 But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.  29 For you shall be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen.  30 For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water.  31 The strong shall become like tinder, and their work like a spark; they and their work shall burn together, with no one to quench them. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.