[1] A curse on the designers of evil, working on their beds! in the morning
light they do it, because it is in their power. [2] They have a desire for
fields and take them by force; and for houses and take them away: they are
cruel to a man and his family, even to a man and his heritage. [3] For this
cause the Lord has said, See, against this family I am purposing an evil
from which you will not be able to take your necks away, and you will be
weighted down by it; for it is an evil time. [4] In that day this saying
will be said about you, and this song of grief will be made: The heritage
of my people is measured out, and there is no one to give it back; those
who have made us prisoners have taken our fields from us, and complete
destruction has come to us. [5] For this cause you will have no one to make
the decision by the measuring line in the meeting of the Lord. [6] Let not
words like these be dropped, they say: Shame and the curse will not come to
the family of Jacob! [7] Is the Lord quickly made angry? are these his
doings? do not his words do good to his people Israel? [8] As for you, you
have become haters of those who were at peace with you: you take the
clothing of those who go by without fear, and make them prisoners of war.
[9] The women of my people you have been driving away from their dearly
loved children; from their young ones you are taking my glory for ever.
[10] Up! and go; for this is not your rest: because it has been made
unclean, the destruction ordered will come on you. [11] If a man came with
a false spirit of deceit, saying, I will be a prophet to you of wine and
strong drink: he would be the sort of prophet for this people. [12] I will
certainly make all of you, O Jacob, come together; I will get together the
rest of Israel; I will put them together like the sheep in their circle:
like a flock in their green field; they will be full of the noise of men.
[13] The opener of the way will go up before them: forcing their way out
they will go on to the doorway and out through it: their king will go on
before them, and the Lord at their head.
