Here
is a simple two-voice setting of Isaiah 1: 10-18.
Responsive Litany
(Isaiah 1: 10-18)
Listen
to the Lord, you leaders of “Sodom.”
Listen to the law of
our God, people of “Gomorrah.”
“What
makes you think I want all your sacrifices?” says the Lord.
“I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle.
“I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle.
I get no pleasure
from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
When
you come to worship me,
who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony?
who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony?
Stop bringing me your
meaningless gifts;
the incense of your offerings disgusts me!
the incense of your offerings disgusts me!
As
for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath
and
your special days for fasting—
they are all sinful and false.
I want no more of your pious meetings.
I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals.
They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them!
they are all sinful and false.
I want no more of your pious meetings.
I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals.
They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them!
When you lift up your
hands in prayer, I will not look.
Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen,
for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.
Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen,
for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.
Wash
yourselves and be clean!
Get your sins out of my sight.
Get your sins out of my sight.
Give up your evil
ways.
Learn to do good.
Learn to do good.
Seek
justice.
Help the oppressed.
Defend
the cause of orphans.
Fight for the rights
of widows.
“Come
now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow.
“Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow.
Though they are red
like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.
