Woe to Oppressive Jerusalem
1Woe to the city that is rebellious P,w and defiled, x
the oppressive city!
2 She has not obeyed; y
she has not accepted discipline. z
She has not trusted a in the LORD;
she has not drawn near to her God.
3 The Q princes within her are roaring lions; b
her judges are wolves of the night, c
which leave nothing for R the morning.
4 Her prophets are reckless d—
treacherous men.
Her priests profane the sanctuary;
they do violence to instruction. e
5 The righteous LORD is in her; f
he does no wrong. g
He applies his justice morning by morning;
he does not fail at dawn,
yet the one who does wrong knows no shame. h
their corner towers i are destroyed.
I have laid waste their streets,
with no one to pass through.
Their cities lie devastated,
without a person, without an inhabitant. j
7 I thought: You will certainly fear me
and accept correction.
Then her dwelling place S
would not be cut off
based on all that I had allocated to her.
However, they became more corrupt
in all their actions.
8 Therefore, wait for me k—
this is the LORD’S declaration—
until the day I rise up for plunder. T
For my decision is to gather nations,
to assemble kingdoms,
in order to pour out my indignation l on them,
all my burning anger;
for the whole earth will be consumed
by the fire of my jealousy. m
Final Restoration Promised
9 For I will then restore
pure n speech to the peoples
so that all of them may call
on the name of the LORD
and serve him with a single purpose. U
10 From beyond the rivers of Cush o
my supplicants, my dispersed people,
will bring an offering to me.
11 On that day you V will not be put to shame p
because of everything you have done
in rebelling q against me.
For then I will remove
from among you your jubilant, r arrogant people,
and you will never again be haughty
on my holy mountain. s
a meek and humble people t among you,
and they will take refuge in the name of the LORD.
13 The remnant u of Israel will no longer
do wrong or tell lies;
a deceitful tongue will not be found
in their mouths.
They will pasture and lie down,
with nothing to make them afraid. v
14 Sing for joy, Daughter Zion;
shout loudly, Israel!
Be glad and celebrate with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
15 The LORD has removed your punishment;
he has turned back your enemy.
The King of Israel, the LORD, is among you;
you need no longer fear harm.
16 On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear;
Zion, do not let your hands grow weak. w
17 The LORD your God is among you,
a warrior x who saves.
He will rejoice over you y with gladness.
He will be quiet W in his love.
He will delight in you with singing.” z
18 I will gather those who have been driven a
from the appointed festivals;
they will be a tribute from you X
and a reproach on her. Y
I will deal with all who oppress you.
I will save the lame b and gather the outcasts; c
I will make those who were disgraced
throughout the earth
receive praise and fame.
20 At that time I will bring you Z back,
yes, at the time I will gather you.
I will give you fame and praise
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes d before your eyes.
The LORD has spoken.