21 How the faithful city has become an [idolatrous] harlot, she who was full of justice! Uprightness and right standing with God [once] lodged in her--but now murderers. 22 Your silver has become dross, your wine is mixed with water. 23 Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves; everyone loves bribes and runs after compensation and rewards. They judge not for the fatherless nor defend them, neither does the cause of the widow come to them [for they delay or turn a deaf ear].
24 Therefore says the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will appease Myself on My adversaries and avenge Myself on My enemies. 25 And I will bring My hand again upon you and thoroughly purge away your dross [as with lye] and take away all your tin or alloy. 26 And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning; afterward you shall be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.
27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her [returned] converts with righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God). 28 But the crushing and destruction of rebels and sinners shall be together, and they who forsake the Lord shall be consumed. 29 For you will be ashamed [of the folly and degradation] of the oak or terebinth trees in which you found [idolatrous] pleasure, and you will blush with shame for the [idolatrous worship which you practice in the passion-inflaming] gardens which you have chosen. 30 For you shall be like an oak or terebinth whose leaf withers, and like a garden that has no water. 31 And the strong shall become like tow and become tinder, and his work like a spark, and they shall both burn together, with none to quench them.