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