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21 How the faithful city
    has become an adulteress,[a]
    she who used to be a symbol of justice.
Righteousness used to dwell in her,
    but now she is the abode of murderers.
22 Your silver has turned to dross,
    and your wine is mixed with water.
23 Your princes are rebels
    and companions of thieves.
All of them love bribes
    and are eager to receive gifts.
They do not treat the orphan with justice,
    and they refuse to listen to the pleas of widows.
24 Therefore, the Lord of hosts,
    the Mighty One of Israel, says this:
I am determined to vent my anger upon my enemies
    and wreak vengeance on my foes.
25 I will turn my hand against you
    and refine your dross in the furnace,
    purging all of your impurities.
26 And I will restore your judges
    as in the days of old
    and your counselors as at the beginning.
Then you will be called the city of righteousness,
    the faithful city.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 1:21 Adulteress: the term signifies infidelity to God, inasmuch as the covenant between God and his people had its most appropriate image in the bond of conjugal love. This allegory recurs constantly.