But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. —Isaiah 64:6

God saw the Israelites as unclean and defiled in spite of their prayers, sacrifices, alms and praises. He detested their acts of worship because they were mingled with corruption.

Their righteousnesses were as filthy rags. The outwardly pious deeds were classified as highly unclean. The term “filthy rags” in the Hebrew means literally, a “menstruous rag.”