A reading from
the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 1:10-17
Hear the word of the Lord,/ princes of Sodom!/ Listen to the instruction of our God,/ people of Gomorrah!/ What care I for the number of your sacrifices?/ says the Lord./ I have had enough of whole-burnt rams/ and fat of fatlings;/ In the blood of calves, lambs and goats/ I find no pleasure.
When you come in to visit me,/ who asks these things of you?/ Trample my courts no more!/ Bring no more worthless offerings;/ your incense is loathsome to me./ New moon and sabbath, calling of assemblies,/ octaves with wickedness: these I cannot bear./ Your new moons and festivals I detest;/ they weigh me down, I tire of the load./ When you spread out your hands,/ I close my eyes to you;/ Though you pray the more,/ I will not listen./ Your hands are full of blood!/ Wash yourselves clean!/ Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes;/ cease doing evil; learn to do good./ Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,/ hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.
The word of the Lord.
