CHAPTER 3
For
behold,
the Lord
GOD
of Hosts
is about to remove
from Jerusalem
and Judah
both supply
and support:
the whole
supply
of bread
and water,
the commander
of fifty
and the dignitary,
the counselor,
the cunning
magician,
and the clever
enchanter.
The people
will oppress one another,
man
against man,
neighbor
against neighbor;
the young
will rise up
against the old,
and the base
against the honorable.
A man
will seize
his brother
within his father’s
house:
“You have a cloak—
you be
our leader!
Take charge
of this
heap of rubble.”
On that
day
he will cry aloud:
“I am
not
a healer.
I have no
food
or clothing
in my house.
Do not
make me
leader
of the people!”
For
Jerusalem
has stumbled
and Judah
has fallen
because
they spoke
and acted
against
the LORD,
defying
His glorious
presence.
The expression
on their faces
testifies against them,
and like Sodom
they flaunt
their sin;
they do not
conceal it;
woe
to them,
for
they have brought
disaster
upon themselves.
Woe
to the wicked;
disaster is
upon them!
For they will be repaid
with what their hands
have done.
Youths
oppress
My people,
and women
rule
over them.
O My people,
your guides
mislead you;
they turn you
from your paths.
The LORD
brings
this charge
against
the elders
and leaders
of His people:
“You
have devoured
the vineyard;
the plunder
of the poor
is in your houses.
The LORD
says,
“Because
the daughters
of Zion
are haughty—
walking
with heads
held high
and wanton
eyes,
prancing
and skipping
as they go,
jingling
the bracelets on their ankles—
the Lord
will bring sores
on the heads
of the daughters
of Zion,
and the LORD
will make their foreheads
bare.
Instead of
fragrance
there will be
a stench;
instead of
a belt,
a rope;
instead of
styled
hair,
baldness;
instead of
fine clothes,
sackcloth;
instead of
beauty,
branding.