Jerusalem and Judah Will Be Judged

Jerusalem and Judah Will Be Judged

1 Listen! The Lord, the L of Armies, is about to take every supply and kind of support from Jerusalem and Judah: its entire supply of food and water, 2 the mighty man and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the fortune-teller and the elder, 3 the captain of fifty and the honored one,a the advisor and the artisan, and the clever enchanter. 4 Instead, the LORD says, “I will make youths their leaders; and the mischief-makers will rule over them.” 5 And the people will be oppressed by one another— person against person, neighbor against neighbor. The young will rage against the old, and the worthless against the honorable. 6 For a man will grab one of his brothers in his father’s house, saying, “You have a cloak; you should be our leader, and this heap of rubble should be under your control!”b 7 But on that day his brother will raise his voice and say, “I’m not one who can bind up this wound. There’s no food or clothing in my house. Don’t make me leader of the people.” 8 For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen; for their tongue and their conduct are against the L— rebelling against his glorious presence.c 9 The look on their faces gives them away.d They flaunt their sin like Sodom; they don’t hide it.

Woe to them! For they brought evil upon themselves. 10 But tell the righteous that good will come, for they will eat the fruit of their conduct. 11 Woe to the wicked! Evil will come to them, for what their hands have done will be done back to them.e

a Literally, “the one whose face is lifted.” b Literally, “under your hand.” c Literally, “against the eyes of his glory.” d Literally, “their faces answer against them.” e Literally, “the recompense of their hands will be done to them.”

12 My people! Extortioners oppress you, and moneylenders rule over you. a Those who lead you cause you to err, and they confuse the direction of your paths. 13 The L stations himself in court; the L stands to judge the peoples and 14a enters into judgment with the elders and chiefs of his people. 15b The Lord, the L of Armies, declares: 14b “You have devouredb the vineyard; the plunder you’ve taken from the needy is in your houses. 15a How could you crush my people and grind the faces of the poor?” 16 The L says, “The daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with their noses in the air,c with sultry looks,d skipping as anklets jingle on their feet. 18a So in that day of judgment 17 the Lord will strike the scalps of the daughters of Zion with sores; the L will bare their foreheads.” 18b The Lord will take away their ornaments: – anklets – ankle chains – capes – headbands – sashes – cloaks – crescent jewelry – perfume bottles – purses – earrings 19 – charms – mirrors 23 – bracelets – signet rings 21 – linen garments – veils – nose rings – tiaras – headdresses 20 – party dresses 22 – head scarves 24 Instead of perfume, there will be a stench; instead of a sash, it will be a rope tying you up; instead of well-dressed hair, you’ll be bald; instead of fine clothing, you’ll be wrapped in sackcloth; and instead of beauty, you’ll be branded. 25 Your men will fall by the sword, and your warriors will fall in battle. 26 And the gates of Zione will lament and mourn, and she’ll sit deserted on the ground.

a Or, “Children oppress you, women rule over you.” The Hebrew is uncertain. b Literally, “have burned.” c Literally, “with a stretched neck.” d Literally, “with ogling eyes.” e Literally, “and her gates.”