those who are saying, ‘Keep close to yourself. Do not approach me, for I shall certainly convey holiness to you.’ These are a smoke in my nostrils, a fire burning all day long.” (Isaiah 65:3-5)

⁸ These self-righteous sinners are, in effect, saying to other Jews: ‘Keep your distance, for I am holier than you.’ What hypocrisy!

Yet, their religious activities make them feel holier than other Jews, and they want other people to keep away so that these will not become sanctified, as it were, or clean, by mere association. Nevertheless, that is not at all how the God who exacts “exclusive devotion” views matters!​—Deuteronomy 4:24.

9. How does Jehovah view the self-righteous sinners?

⁹ Rather than considering these self-righteous ones to be holy, Jehovah says: “These are a smoke in my nostrils.” The Hebrew word for “nose” or “nostril” is often used figuratively for anger. Smoke too is associated with Jehovah’s burning anger. (Deuteronomy 29:20) The disgusting idolatry into which his people have fallen has provoked Jehovah’s burning anger.