JJJ Tissot: The Chaldees Destroy the Brazen Sea
10 Listen to Yahweh’s word, rulers of Sodom!
Give ear to our God’s instruction, people of Gomorrah!
11 What use to me is the large number of your sacrifices? (Yahweh says).
I’m full of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fatlings.
In the blood of bulls and lambs and goats I do not delight.
12 When you come to appear to my face,
who sought this from your hand?
Trampling my courtyards –
13 you will do it no more, bringing an empty offering.
Incense is an offence to me, new month and sabbath,
the calling of a convocation.
I cannot bear trouble and assembly;
14 your new moons and your appointed times
my entire being dislikes.
They’ve become a burden to me that I’m weary of carrying.
15 And when you spread the palms of your hands,
I shall lift up my eyes from you.
Even when you offer many a plea,
there will be no listening on my part.
Your hands are full of bloodshed –
16 wash, get clean.
Remove the badness of your practices from in front of my eyes.
Stop dealing badly,
17 learn doing good.
Require the exercise of authority,
put the oppressor right,
exercise authority for the orphan,
argue for the widow.
18 Come on, please,
let’s argue it out (Yahweh says).
If your wrongdoings are like scarlet,
they’re to be white like snow.
If they’re red like crimson,
they’re to be like wool.
19 If you’re willing and you listen,
you will consume the good things of the country.
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
you’ll be consumed by the sword;
because Yahweh’s mouth has spoken.
Keep us, O Lord, while we tarry on this earth,
in a serious seeking after thee,
and in an affectionate walking with thee,
every day of our lives;
that when thou comest,
we may be found not hiding our talent,
nor yet asleep with our lamp unfurnished,
but waiting and longing for our Lord,
our glorious King, for ever and ever.
Richard Baxter (1615-1691)