[1] Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, the oppressing city! [2] She
didn`t obey the voice. She didn`t receive correction. She didn`t trust in
Yahweh. She didn`t draw near to her God. [3] Her princes in the midst of
her are roaring lions. Her judges are evening wolves. They leave nothing
until the next day. [4] Her prophets are arrogant and treacherous people.
Her priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the
law. [5] Yahweh, in the midst of her, is righteous. He will do no wrong.
Every morning he brings his justice to light. He doesn`t fail, but the
unjust know no shame. [6] I have cut off nations. Their battlements are
desolate. I have made their streets waste, so that no one passes by. Their
cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, so that there is no
inhabitant. [7] I said, "Just fear me. Receive correction, so that her
dwelling won`t be cut off, according to all that I have appointed
concerning her." But they rose early and corrupted all their doings. [8]
"Therefore wait for me," says Yahweh, "until the day that I rise up to the
prey, for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble
the kingdoms, to pour on them my indignation, even all my fierce anger, for
all the earth will be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. [9] For then I
will purify the lips of the peoples, that they may all call on the name of
Yahweh, to serve him shoulder to shoulder. [10] From beyond the rivers of
Cush, my worshipers, even the daughter of my dispersed people, will bring
my offering. [11] In that day you will not be put to shame for all your
doings, in which you have transgressed against me; for then I will take
away out of the midst of you your proudly exulting ones, and you will no
more be haughty in my holy mountain. [12] But I will leave in the midst of
you an afflicted and poor people, and they will take refuge in the name of
Yahweh. [13] The remnant of Israel will not do iniquity, nor speak lies,
neither will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth, for they will feed
and lie down, and no one will make them afraid." [14] Sing, daughter of
Zion! Shout, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, daughter of
Jerusalem. [15] Yahweh has taken away your judgments. He has thrown out
your enemy. The King of Israel, Yahweh, is in the midst of you. You will
not be afraid of evil any more. [16] In that day, it will be said to
Jerusalem, "Don`t be afraid, Zion. Don`t let your hands be slack." [17]
Yahweh, your God, is in the midst of you, a mighty one who will save. He
will rejoice over you with joy. He will rest in his love. He will rejoice
over you with singing. [18] Those who are sad for the appointed feasts, I
will remove from you. They are a burden and a reproach to you. [19] Behold,
at that time I will deal with all those who afflict you, and I will save
those who are lame, and gather those who were driven away. I will give them
praise and honor, whose shame has been in all the earth. [20] At that time
will I bring you in, and at that time will I gather you; for I will give
you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I bring back
your captivity before your eyes, says Yahweh.
