[Verse 1]
The world is filled with evil deeds,
And darkness walks abroad;
The church that ought to shine with light
Has strayed far from her God.
The holy path is left behind,
The narrow way unknown;
Men run the race of vanity,
And reap what they have sown.
[Chorus]
Bring no vain offering to the Lord,
With hands defiled by sin;
Wash in the blood of Jesus Christ,
And let His peace come in.
For God rejects the wicked gift,
Though great its sum may be;
But He receives the humble heart
That bows at Calvary.
[Verse 2]
The altar groans beneath the weight
Of gifts from evil hands;
And servants smile when silver comes,
Though sin behind it stands.
They say, "We prosper, praise the Lord,"
When offerings overflow;
Yet spirits dark may cling to gifts,
Which only Heaven knows.
[Chorus]
Bring no vain offering to the Lord,
With hands defiled by sin;
Wash in the blood of Jesus Christ,
And let His peace come in.
For God rejects the wicked gift,
Though great its sum may be;
But He receives the humble heart
That bows at Calvary.
[verse 3]
But now the wicked fill the courts,
Their treasures lead the way;
The church rejoices in their gold,
And holiness decays.
If death should walk as once it walked,
And judgement strikes again,
Fear would empty every pew,
And silence boastful men.
[Chorus]
Bring no vain offering to the Lord,
With hands defiled by sin;
Wash in the blood of Jesus Christ,
And let His peace come in.
For God rejects the wicked gift,
Though great its sum may be;
But He receives the humble heart
That bows at Calvary.
[Verse 4]
O sinner, cleanse your guilty hands,
Repent while mercy calls;
The blood of Christ still speaks for men
Before the judgment falls.
Turn from the path of evil now,
Let holiness begin;
That when your earthly race is done,
Your soul may rest in Him.
[Final Chorus]
Bring no vain offering to the Lord,
But bring a broken heart;
Wash in the blood of Jesus Christ,
And from your sins depart.
For God receives the contrite soul
That bows at Calvary;
And in the end, that faithful one
Shall dwell eternally.