I am so apt to think that the rending of an outer garment is a token of true penitence and amendment of life. But it is the inner garments I must deal with, the raiments and habits of the soul. Some of these robes -- such as vanity and pride -- are as gay and showy as a peacock; others are dirty and leprous, and we should not dare to bring them to the door, and display them in the light. But all need severe treatment; they must be torn, fibre from fibre, and reduced to rags.

But |rending| must be accompanied by |turning.| |Turn unto the Lord your God.| For the Lord our God is gracious, and His love will not only provide a new wardrobe, but a swift furnace in which to burn the remnants of the old. Yes, His |great kindness| will burn away the filth of my alienation, and will |bring forth the best robe| and put it on me. The good Lord will give me new habits. He will |cover me with the robe of righteousness, and the garment of salvation.|