18“Come now, and let us reason together,”
         Says the LORD,
         “Though your sins are as scarlet,
         They will be as white as snow;
         Though they are red like crimson,
         They will be like wool.

19“If you consent and obey,
         You will eat the best of the land;

20“But if you refuse and rebel,
         You will be devoured by the sword.”
         Truly, the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Zion Corrupted, to Be Redeemed

21How the faithful city has become a harlot,
         She who was full of justice!
         Righteousness once lodged in her,
         But now murderers.

22Your silver has become dross,
         Your drink diluted with water.

23Your rulers are rebels
         And companions of thieves;
         Everyone loves a bribe
         And chases after rewards.
         They do not defend the orphan,
         Nor does the widow’s plea come before them.

24Therefore the Lord GOD of hosts,
         The Mighty One of Israel, declares,
         “Ah, I will be relieved of My adversaries
         And avenge Myself on My foes.

25“I will also turn My hand against you,
         And will smelt away your dross as with lye
         And will remove all your alloy.

26“Then I will restore your judges as at the first,
         And your counselors as at the beginning;
         After that you will be called the city of righteousness,
         A faithful city.”

27Zion will be redeemed with justice
         And her repentant ones with righteousness.

28But transgressors and sinners will be crushed together,
         And those who forsake the LORD will come to an end.

29Surely you will be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired,
         And you will be embarrassed at the gardens which you have chosen.

30For you will be like an oak whose leaf fades away
         Or as a garden that has no water.

31The strong man will become tinder,
         His work also a spark.
         Thus they shall both burn together
         And there will be none to quench them.

NASB ©1995