- 1
For, behold, the Lord, GOD of Armies, takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah supply and support, the whole supply of bread, and the whole supply of water;
- 2
the mighty man, the man of war, the judge, the prophet, the diviner, the elder,
- 3
the captain of fifty, the honorable man, the counselor, the skilled craftsman, and the clever enchanter.
- 4
I will give boys to be their princes, and children shall rule over them.
- 5
The people will be oppressed, everyone by another, and everyone by his neighbor. The child will behave himself proudly against the old man, and the wicked against the honorable.
- 6
Indeed a man shall take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying, “You have clothing, you be our ruler, and let this ruin be under your hand.”
- 7
In that day he will cry out, saying, “I will not be a healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing. You shall not make me ruler of the people.”
- 8
For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen; because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
- 9
The look of their faces testify against them. They parade their sin like Sodom. They don’t hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought disaster upon themselves.
- 10
Tell the righteous that it will be well with them, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds.
- 11
Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them, for the deeds of their hands will be paid back to them.
- 12
As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. My people, those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.
- 13
The LORD stands up to contend, and stands to judge the peoples.
- 14
The LORD will enter into judgment with the elders of his people and their leaders: “It is you who have eaten up the vineyard. The plunder of the poor is in your houses.
- 15
What do you mean that you crush my people, and grind the face of the poor?” says the Lord, GOD of Armies.
- 16
Moreover the LORD said, “Because the daughters of Zion are arrogant, and walk with outstretched necks and flirting eyes, walking daintily as they go, jingling ornaments on their feet;
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therefore the Lord brings sores on the crown of the head of the women of Zion, and the LORD will make their scalps bald.”
- 18
In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, the headbands, the crescent necklaces,
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the earrings, the bracelets, the veils,
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the headdresses, the ankle chains, the sashes, the perfume containers, the charms,
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the signet rings, the nose rings,
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the fine robes, the capes, the cloaks, the purses,
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the hand mirrors, the fine linen garments, the tiaras, and the shawls.
- 24
It shall happen that instead of sweet spices, there shall be rottenness; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well set hair, baldness; instead of a robe, a wearing of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.
- 25
Your men shall fall by the sword, and your mighty in the war.
- 26
Her gates shall lament and mourn. She shall be desolate and sit on the ground.
Bible: World English Bible (Catholic), public domain, via eBible.org. Footnotes, section headings and acrostic letters are not reproduced.