⁸ The Lord detests the sacrifice^(A) of the wicked,^(B)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.^(C)

¹¹ “The multitude of your sacrifices—
    what are they to me?” says the Lord.
“I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
    of rams and the fat of fattened animals;^(A)
I have no pleasure^(B)
    in the blood of bulls^(C) and lambs and goats.^(D)
12 When you come to appear before me,
    who has asked this of you,^(E)
    this trampling of my courts?
¹³ Stop bringing meaningless offerings!^(F)
    Your incense^(G) is detestable^(H) to me.
New Moons,^(I) Sabbaths and convocations^(J)—
    I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
¹⁴ Your New Moon^(K) feasts and your appointed festivals^(L)
    I hate with all my being.^(M)
They have become a burden to me;^(N)
    I am weary^(O) of bearing them.
¹⁵ When you spread out your hands^(P) in prayer,
    I hide^(Q) my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
    I am not listening.^(R)

Your hands^(S) are full of blood!^(T)

¹⁶ Wash^(U) and make yourselves clean.
    Take your evil deeds out of my sight;^(V)
    stop doing wrong.^(W)
17 Learn to do right;^(X) seek justice.^(Y)
    Defend the oppressed.^[a](Z)
Take up the cause of the fatherless;^(AA)
    plead the case of the widow.^(AB)

¹⁸ “Come now, let us settle the matter,”^(AC)
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;^(AD)
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.^(AE)
19 If you are willing and obedient,^(AF)
    you will eat the good things of the land;^(AG)
20 but if you resist and rebel,^(AH)
    you will be devoured by the sword.”^(AI)
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.^(AJ)

²¹ See how the faithful city
    has become a prostitute!^(AK)
She once was full of justice;
    righteousness^(AL) used to dwell in her—
    but now murderers!^(AM)
22 Your silver has become dross,^(AN)
    your choice wine is diluted with water.
²³ Your rulers are rebels,^(AO)
    partners with thieves;^(AP)
they all love bribes^(AQ)
    and chase after gifts.
They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;
    the widow’s case does not come before them.^(AR)

³ But whoever sacrifices a bull^(A)
    is like one who kills a person,
and whoever offers a lamb
    is like one who breaks a dog’s neck;
whoever makes a grain offering
    is like one who presents pig’s^(B) blood,
and whoever burns memorial incense^(C)
    is like one who worships an idol.
They have chosen their own ways,^(D)
    and they delight in their abominations;^(E)

²⁰ What do I care about incense from Sheba^(A)
    or sweet calamus^(B) from a distant land?
Your burnt offerings are not acceptable;^(C)
    your sacrifices^(D) do not please me.”^(E)

²¹ “I hate,^(A) I despise your religious festivals;^(B)
    your assemblies^(C) are a stench to me.