Oedipus instructs the priest to lead the people in supplication to the gods:
- Call Upon Deities: Instruct the citizens of Thebes to seek the divine intervention of both Apollo and the other deities.
- Offer Sacrifices: Order the people to offer sacrifices to gods, both individually and collectively, with humility and contrite hearts.
- Seek Purity: Emphasize the importance of spiritual purity and cleansing the city from any pollution.
- Implore Guidance: Implore Apollo or his agent (possibly Tiresias) to provide guidance, wisdom, and a means to save Thebes from its current distress.
- Seek Truth and Justice: Request the gods' help in revealing the truth behind the plague's cause and the proper course of action to restore justice and harmony.
- Show Remorse: Convey the genuine remorse and anguish of the people, imploring the gods' mercy and compassion for their suffering.
- Urgency and Haste: Stress the urgency of their situation, urging the gods to act swiftly and provide salvation from their current despair.