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A Judgment Against Judah

¹ For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply^(a) and support: the whole supply of bread and water,² the mighty man and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the soothsayer and the elder,³ the 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.”⁵ The 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.⁶ A 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.”⁷ On that day he will cry aloud: “I am not a healer^(a). I have no food or clothing in my house. Do not make me leader of the people!”⁸ For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen because they spoke and acted against the LORD, defying His glorious presence^(a).

⁹ The 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.¹⁰ Tell the righteous it will be well for them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor.¹¹ Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.¹² Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. O My people, your guides mislead you; they turn you from your paths.¹³ The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people.¹⁴ The 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.¹⁵ Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

A Warning to Jerusalem

¹⁶ The LORD 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—¹⁷ the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will make their foreheads bare.¹⁸ In that day the Lord will take away the finery of their anklets and headbands and crescents,¹⁹ their pendants, bracelets, and veils,²⁰ their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes, their perfume bottles and charms;²¹ their signet rings and nose rings,²² their festive robes, capes, cloaks, and purses,²³ and their mirrors, linen garments, tiaras, and shawls.²⁴ Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothes, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding.²⁵ Your men will fall by the sword, and your warriors in battle.²⁶ And the gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.