[1] For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, is taking away from Jerusalem
and from Judah stay and staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay
of water; [2] the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet,
the diviner and the elder, [3] the captain of fifty and the man of rank,
the counselor and the skilful magician and the expert in charms. [4] And I
will make boys their princes, and babes shall rule over them. [5] And the
people will oppress one another, every man his fellow and every man his
neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the base fellow to
the honorable. [6] When a man takes hold of his brother in the house of his
father, saying: "You have a mantle; you shall be our leader, and this heap
of ruins shall be under your rule"; [7] in that day he will speak out,
saying: "I will not be a healer; in my house there is neither bread nor
mantle; you shall not make me leader of the people." [8] For Jerusalem has
stumbled, and Judah has fallen; because their speech and their deeds are
against the LORD, defying his glorious presence. [9] Their partiality
witnesses against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom, they do not
hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil upon themselves. [10] Tell
the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit
of their deeds. [11] Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what
his hands have done shall be done to him. [12] My people-- children are
their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, your leaders
mislead you, and confuse the course of your paths. [13] The LORD has taken
his place to contend, he stands to judge his people. [14] The LORD enters
into judgment with the elders and princes of his people: "It is you who
have devoured the vineyard, the spoil of the poor is in your houses. [15]
What do you mean by crushing my people, by grinding the face of the poor?"
says the Lord GOD of hosts. [16] The LORD said: Because the daughters of
Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with
their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet; [17] the
Lord will smite with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the
LORD will lay bare their secret parts. [18] In that day the Lord will take
away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents; [19] the
pendants, the bracelets, and the scarfs; [20] the headdresses, the armlets,
the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets; [21] the signet rings and
nose rings; [22] the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the
handbags; [23] the garments of gauze, the linen garments, the turbans, and
the veils. [24] Instead of perfume there will be rottenness; and instead of
a girdle, a rope; and instead of well-set hair, baldness; and instead of a
rich robe, a girding of sackcloth; instead of beauty, shame. [25] Your men
shall fall by the sword and your mighty men in battle. [26] And her gates
shall lament and mourn; ravaged, she shall sit upon the ground.
