TSK · Isaiah 58:2

When the LORD heard you speaking to me, he said to me,“I have heard what these people have said to you– they have spoken well.

The LORD abhors the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

The Lord says,“These people say they are loyal to me; they say wonderful things about me, but they are not really loyal to me. Their worship consists of nothing but man-made ritual.

The Lord Appeals to the Exiles Listen to this, O family of Jacob, you who are called by the name‘Israel,’ and are descended from Judah, who take oaths in the name of the LORD, and invoke the God of Israel– but not in an honest and just manner.

You are making a fatal mistake. For you sent me to the LORD your God and asked me,‘Pray to the LORD our God for us. Tell us what the LORD our God says and we will do it.’

“But as for you, son of man, your people(who are talking about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses) say to one another,‘Come hear the word that comes from the LORD.’

Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said,

because Herod stood in awe of John and protected him, since he knew that John was a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard him, he was thoroughly baffled, and yet he liked to listen to John.

He was a lamp that was burning and shining, and you wanted to rejoice greatly for a short time in his light.

For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit,

Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded.