First Apology 37

And so that this may also become clear to you, these words were spoken from the person of the Father through Isaiah, the prophet mentioned before: “The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master's crib; but Israel does not know me, and my people has not understood. Woe, sinful nation, people full of sins, evil seed, lawless sons; you have forsaken the Lord.” And again elsewhere, when the same prophet likewise speaks from the person of the Father: “What house will you build for me? says the Lord. Heaven is my throne, and the earth the footstool of my feet.” And again elsewhere: “Your new moons and your sabbaths my soul hates; and the great day of fasting and rest I cannot bear; not even if you come to be seen by me will I listen to you. Your hands are full of blood. Even if you bring fine flour, incense, it is an abomination to me; the fat of lambs and the blood of bulls I do not want. For who has required these things from your hands? But loose every bond of injustice, tear apart the knots of forced contracts, cover the homeless and naked, break your bread for the hungry.” You can understand, then, what kind of things are taught through the prophets from the person of God.