15
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.
And when ye spread forth your hands That is, in prayer, this being a prayer gesture: hence the Targum paraphrases it,
``and when the priests spread out their hands to pray for you.''
I will hide mine eyes from you; will not look upon them, nor regard their prayer; see ( Lamentations 3:42 ) yea, when ye make many prayers; as the Scribes and Pharisees did in Christ's time, and thought to be heard for their much speaking, like the Gentiles, ( Matthew 6:7 ) I will not hear; so as to give an answer, or fulfil their requests: the reason follows, your hands are full of blood; of the prophets of the Lord, of Christ and his followers, whom they put to death.
13
Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; 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.
14
I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them!
15
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.
16
Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways.
17
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.