Isaiah 1:9

The inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah were so evil that God destroyed their cities (see Genesis chapter 19).

Israel’s religion is not sincere

v10 Listen, you rulers of *Jerusalem! You are like the rulers of Sodom. Listen, you people in *Jerusalem! You are like the people in Gomorrah. Listen very carefully to what God is saying to you. v11 I have no use for the many animals that you kill to offer to me. I have had more than enough of their blood. It gives me no pleasure whatever. v12 Nobody asked you to bring all these gifts every time you come to *worship me. Keep back from my holy *Temple! v13-14 And stop bringing other gifts that really mean nothing to you. I hate the *incense that you burn for its sweet smell. You have special monthly meetings when the moon is new. You have special weekly meetings on the Sabbath (7th day). You have special meetings on many other occasions as well. But your religion is making no difference to your evil lives. I hate all these activities. They only make me angry. v15 So I shall not notice when you pray. Even if you pray many prayers, I shall not listen. It is as if your evil lives have stained you with blood. v16 Clean yourselves! Your wicked lives fill me with disgust. Stop your evil behaviour! v17 Learn to live good lives. Deal fairly with other people. Defend widows. Look after the rights of children who have no parents. Help poor people.