1:5 1 Why do you insist on being battered?
Why do you continue to rebel? 2
Your head has a massive wound, 3
your whole body is weak. 4
1:6 From the soles of your feet to your head,
there is no spot that is unharmed. 5
There are only bruises, cuts,
and open wounds.
They have not been cleansed 6 or bandaged,
nor have they been treated 7 with olive oil. 8
1:7 Your land is devastated,
your cities burned with fire.
Right before your eyes your crops
are being destroyed by foreign invaders. 9
They leave behind devastation and destruction. 10
1:8 Daughter Zion 11 is left isolated,
like a hut in a vineyard,
or a shelter in a cucumber field;
she is a besieged city. 12
1:9 If the Lord who commands armies 13 had not left us a few survivors,
we would have quickly become like Sodom, 14
we would have become like Gomorrah.
1:10 Listen to the Lord’s word,
you leaders of Sodom! 15
Pay attention to our God’s rebuke, 16
people of Gomorrah!
1:11 “Of what importance to me are your many sacrifices?” 17
says the Lord.
“I am stuffed with 18 burnt sacrifices
of rams and the fat from steers.
The blood of bulls, lambs, and goats
I do not want. 19
1:12 When you enter my presence,
do you actually think I want this –
animals trampling on my courtyards? 20
1:13 Do not bring any more meaningless 21 offerings;
I consider your incense detestable! 22
You observe new moon festivals, Sabbaths, and convocations,
but I cannot tolerate sin-stained celebrations! 23
1:14 I hate your new moon festivals and assemblies;
they are a burden
that I am tired of carrying.
1:15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I look the other way; 24
when you offer your many prayers,
I do not listen,
because your hands are covered with blood. 25
1:21 How tragic that the once-faithful city
has become a prostitute! 26
She was once a center of 27 justice,
fairness resided in her,
but now only murderers. 28
1:22 Your 29 silver has become scum, 30
your beer is diluted with water. 31
1:23 Your officials are rebels, 32
they associate with 33 thieves.
All of them love bribery,
and look for 34 payoffs. 35
They do not take up the cause of the orphan, 36
or defend the rights of the widow. 37
1:24 Therefore, the sovereign Lord who commands armies, 38
the powerful ruler of Israel, 39 says this:
“Ah, I will seek vengeance 40 against my adversaries,
I will take revenge against my enemies. 41