Isaiah 59:1-4, 12-15

Truly YAHWEH’s arm is not too powerless to save you nor his ear too deaf to hear. Rather, your sinful deeds have built a barrier between you and your God. Your sins have made God turn his face from you so that he does not hear your prayers. For your hands are stained with blood and your fingers are dripping with the guilt of sin. Lies spill from your lips and your tongue mutters treachery. No one seeks true justice; no one pleads his case with honesty. They rely on their illusions and misleading lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to sin.

For our many rebellious deeds are stacked high before you; our sins testify against us. We are aware of our sins, and we know our evil deeds all too well. We have rebelled and even tried to deny YAHWEH; we have forsaken our God. Our speech stirs up oppression and revolt, and our hearts conceive, then confess, lies. Justice is driven away and righteousness stands on the sidelines, for truth has stumbled in the public square and morality cannot enter. Yes, truth has disappeared, and those who turn from evil become the next victims.