"Comenow,and let us reasontogether," Saysthe LORD,"Thoughyour sinsare as scarlet,They will be as whiteas snow;Thoughthey are redlike crimson,They will be like wool.
"Thereis noumpirebetweenus, Who may layhis handupon us both.
Purifyme with hyssop,and I shall be clean;Washme, and I shall be whiterthansnow.
HideYour facefrom my sinsAnd blotout allmy iniquities.
Your rulersare rebelsAnd companionsof thieves;Everyonelovesa bribeAnd chasesafter rewards.They do not defendthe orphan,Nordoes the widow'spleacomebeforethem.
The LORDarisesto contend,And standsto judgethe people.
"Coastlands,listen to Me in silence,And let the peoplesgainnewstrength;Let them comeforward,thenlet them speak;Let us cometogetherfor judgment.
"Presentyour case,"the LORDsays."Bringforwardyour strong[arguments]," The Kingof Jacobsays.
"I have wipedout your transgressionslike a thickcloudAnd your sinslike a heavymist.Returnto Me, for I have redeemedyou."
He who vindicatesMe is near;Whowill contendwith Me? Let us standup to eachother;Whohas a caseagainst Me? Let him drawnearto Me.
Let the wickedforsakehis wayAnd the unrighteousmanhis thoughts;And let him returnto the LORD,And He will havecompassionon him, And to our God,For He will abundantlypardon.
Thussaysthe LORD,"Whatinjusticedid your fathersfindin Me, That they wentfarfrom Me And walkedafteremptinessand becameempty?
"Again, when a wickedmanturnsawayfrom his wickednesswhichhe has committedand practicesjusticeand righteousness,he will savehis life.
"Noneof his sinsthat he has committedwill be rememberedagainst him. He has practicedjusticeand righteousness;he shall surelylive.
"Listen,you mountains,to the indictmentof the LORD,And you enduringfoundationsof the earth,Becausethe LORDhas a caseagainstHis people;Even with IsraelHe will dispute.
And accordingto Paul'scustom,he wentto them, and for threeSabbathsreasonedwith them from the Scriptures,
And he was reasoningin the synagogueeverySabbathand trying to persuadeJewsand Greeks.
But as he was discussingrighteousness,self-controland the judgmentto come,Felixbecamefrightenedand said,"Go awayfor the present,and when I findtimeI will summonyou."
The Lawcamein sothat the transgressionwould increase;but wheresinincreased,graceabounded all the more,
I saidto him, "My lord,you know."And he saidto me, "Theseare the ones who comeout of the greattribulation,and they have washedtheir robesand made them whitein the bloodof the Lamb.
"So now,takeyour stand,that I may pleadwith you beforethe LORDconcerningallthe righteousactsof the LORDwhichHe didfor you and your fathers.
