'Uprightness' in the Bible
How the faithful city has become a prostitute [idolatrous, despicable],She who was full of justice!Right standing with God once lodged in her,But now murderers.
Zion will be redeemed with justiceAnd her repentant ones with righteousness.
For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house (nation) of IsraelAnd the men of Judah are His delightful planting [which He loves].So He looked for justice, but in fact, [He saw] bloodshed and lawlessness;[He looked] for righteousness, but in fact, [He heard] a cry of distress and oppression.
In the night my soul longs for You [O Lord],Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently;For [only] when Your judgments are experienced on the earthWill the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
Though the wicked is shown compassion and favor,He does not learn righteousness;In the land of uprightness he deals unjustly,And refuses to see the majesty of the Lord.
“Listen to Me, you stiff-necked people,You who are far from righteousness (right standing with God).
He enters into peace [through death];They rest in their beds (graves),Each one who walked uprightly [following God’s will, living with integrity].
Justice is pushed back,And righteous behavior stands far away;For truth has fallen in the city square,And integrity cannot enter.
To grant to those who mourn in Zion the following:To give them a turban instead of dust [on their heads, a sign of mourning],The oil of joy instead of mourning,The garment [expressive] of praise instead of a disheartened spirit.So they will be called the trees of righteousness [strong and magnificent, distinguished for integrity, justice, and right standing with God],The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
You meet him who rejoices in doing that which is morally right,Who remembers You in Your ways.Indeed, You were angry, for we sinned;We have long continued in our sins [prolonging Your anger].And shall we be saved [under such circumstances]?