3:1 |
See now, the Lord, the LORD Almighty, is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: all supplies of food and all supplies of water, |
3:2 |
the hero and warrior, the judge and prophet, the soothsayer and elder, |
3:3 |
the captain of fifty and man of rank, the counselor, skilled craftsman and clever enchanter. |
3:4 |
I will make boys their officials; mere children will govern them. |
3:5 |
People will oppress each other--man against man, neighbor against neighbor. The young will rise up against the old, the base against the honorable. |
3:6 |
A man will seize one of his brothers at his father's home, and say, "You have a cloak, you be our leader; take charge of this heap of ruins!" |
3:7 |
But in that day he will cry out, "I have no remedy. I have no food or clothing in my house; do not make me the leader of the people." |
3:8 |
Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence. |
3:9 |
The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves. |
3:10 |
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. |
3:11 |
Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done. |
3:12 |
Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. O my people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path. |
3:13 |
The LORD takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people. |
3:14 |
The LORD enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: "It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses. |
3:15 |
What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?" declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty. |
3:16 |
The LORD says, "The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, tripping along with mincing steps, with ornaments jingling on their ankles. |
3:17 |
Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the LORD will make their scalps bald." |
3:18 |
In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, |
3:19 |
the earrings and bracelets and veils, |
3:20 |
the headdresses and ankle chains and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, |
3:21 |
the signet rings and nose rings, |
3:22 |
the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses |
3:23 |
and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls. |
3:24 |
Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-dressed hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding. |
3:25 |
Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle. |
3:26 |
The gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground. |
| |