Isaiah 3
1 For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of food and water,
For the Lord, the Lord of armies, is about to take away from Jerusalem and from Judah all their support; their store of bread and of water;
2 the mighty man and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the soothsayer and the elder,
The strong man and the man of war; the judge and the prophet; the man who has knowledge of secret arts, and the man who is wise because of his years;
3 the commander of fifty and the dignitary, the counselor, the cunning magician, and the clever enchanter.
The captain of fifty, and the man of high position, and the wise guide, and the wonder-worker, and he who makes use of secret powers.
4 “I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.”
And I will make children their chiefs, and foolish ones will have 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.
And the people will be crushed, every one by his neighbour; the young will be full of pride against the old, and those of low position will be lifted up against the noble.
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.”
When one man puts his hand on another in his father's house, and says, You have clothing, be our ruler and be responsible for us in our sad condition:
7 On that day he will cry aloud: “I am not a healer. I have no food or clothing in my house. Do not make me leader of the people!”
Then he will say with an oath, I will not be a helper, for in my house there is no bread or clothing: I will not let you make me a ruler of the people.
8 For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen because they spoke and acted against the LORD, defying His glorious presence.
For Jerusalem has become feeble, and destruction has come on Judah, because their words and their acts are against the Lord, moving the eyes of his glory to wrath.
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.
Their respect for a man's position is a witness against them; and their sin is open to the view of all; like that of Sodom, it is not covered. A curse on their soul! for the measure of their sin is full.
10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor.
Happy is the upright man! for he will have joy of the fruit of his ways.
11 Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.
Unhappy is the sinner! for the reward of his evil doings will come on him.
12 Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. O My people, your guides mislead you; they turn you from your paths.
As for my people, their ruler is acting like a child, and those who have authority over them are women. O my people, your guides are the cause of your wandering, turning your footsteps out of the right way.
13 The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people.
The Lord is ready to take up his cause against his people, and is about to come forward as their judge.
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.
The Lord comes to be the judge of their responsible men and of their rulers: it is you who have made waste the vine-garden, and in your houses is the property of the poor which you have taken by force.
15 Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?”
By what right are you crushing my people, and putting a bitter yoke on the necks of the poor? This is the word of the Lord, the Lord of armies.
16 The 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—
Again, the Lord has said, Because the daughters of Zion are full of pride, and go with outstretched necks and wandering eyes, with their foot-chains sounding when they go:
17 the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will make their foreheads bare.”
The Lord will send disease on the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will let their secret parts be seen.
18 In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents;
In that day the Lord will take away the glory of their foot-rings, and their sun-jewels, and their moon-ornaments,
19 their pendants, bracelets, and veils;
The ear-rings, and the chains, and the delicate clothing,
20 their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes; their perfume bottles and charms;
The head-bands, and the arm-chains, and the worked bands, and the perfume-boxes, and the jewels with secret powers,
21 their signet rings and nose rings;
The rings, and the nose-jewels,
22 their festive robes, capes, cloaks, and purses;
The feast-day dresses, and the robes, and the wide skirts, and the handbags,
23 and their mirrors, linen garments, tiaras, and shawls.
The looking-glasses, and the fair linen, and the high head-dresses, and the veils.
24 Instead 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.
And in the place of sweet spices will be an evil smell, and for a fair band a thick cord; for a well-dressed head there will be the cutting-off of the hair, and for a beautiful robe there will be the clothing of sorrow; the mark of the prisoner in place of the ornaments of the free.
25 Your men will fall by the sword, and your warriors in battle.
Your men will be put to the sword, and your men of war will come to destruction in the fight.
26 And the gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.
And in the public places of her towns will be sorrow and weeping; and she will be seated on the earth, waste and uncovered.
