Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah

1For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts

is about to remove

from Jerusalem and Judah

both supplya and support:

the whole supply of food and water,

2the mighty man and the warrior,

the judge and the prophet,

the soothsayer and the elder,

3the commander of fifty and the dignitary,

the counselor, the cunning magician, and the clever enchanter.

4“I will make mere lads their leaders,

and children will rule over them.”

5The 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.

6A 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.”

7On that day he will cry aloud:

“I am not a healer.b

I have no food or clothing in my house.

Do not make me leader of the people!”

8For Jerusalem has stumbled

and Judah has fallen

because they spoke and acted against the LORD,

defying His glorious presence.c

9The 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.

10Tell the righteous it will be well with them,

for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor.

11Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them!

For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.

12Youths oppress My people,

and women rule over them.

O My people, your guides mislead you;

they turn you from your paths.

13The LORD arises to contend;

He stands to judge the people.

14The 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.

15Why do you crush My people

and grind the faces of the poor?”

declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

A Warning to the Daughters of Zion

16The LORD also 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—

17the Lord will bring sores

on the heads of the daughters of Zion,

and the LORD will make their foreheads bare.d”

18In that day the Lord will take away their finery:

their anklets and headbands and crescents;

19their pendants, bracelets, and veils;

20their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes;

their perfume bottles and charms;

21their signet rings and nose rings;

22their festive robes, capes, cloaks, and purses;

23and their mirrors, linen garments, tiaras, and shawls.

24Instead of fragrance

there will be a stench;

instead of a belt, a rope;

instead of styled hair, baldness;

instead of fine clothing, sackcloth;

instead of beauty, shame.e

25Your men will fall by the sword,

and your warriors in battle.

26And the gates of Zion will lament and mourn;

destitute, she will sit on the ground.