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, |
2 the hero and warrior, the judge and prophet, the soothsayer and elder, |
3 the captain of fifty and man of rank, the counselor, skilled craftsman and clever enchanter. |
4 I will make boys their officials; mere children will govern them. |
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. |
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!" |
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." |
8 Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence. |
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. |
10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. |
11 Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done. |
12 Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. O my people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path. |
13 The LORD takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people. |
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. |
15 What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?" declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty. |
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. |
17 Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the LORD will make their scalps bald." |
18 In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, |
19 the earrings and bracelets and veils, |
20 the headdresses and ankle chains and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, |
21 the signet rings and nose rings, |
22 the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses |
23 and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls. |
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. |
25 Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle. |
26 The gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground. |