1 ²¹ How the faithful city has become a harlot,
she that was full of justice!
Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.
1 ²² Your silver has become dross,
your wine mixed with water.
1 ²³ Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves.
Every one loves a bribe and runs after gifts.
They do not defend the fatherless,
and the widow's cause does not come to them.

1 ²⁴ Therefore says the Lord,
Yahweh of hosts,
the Mighty One of Israel:
"Ah, I will vent my wrath on 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 destroyed together,
and those who forsake Yahweh shall be consumed.
1 ²⁹ For you shall be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted;
and you shall blush for the gardens which 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 tow,
and his work a spark,
and both of them shall burn together,
with none to quench them.