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,
Take a look! The Lord, the Lord Almighty, is going to take away from Jerusalem and from Judah everything they rely on—all their stocks of food and all means of supplying water,
2 the mighty man and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the soothsayer and the elder,
their strong fighters and soldiers, leaders and prophets, fortune-tellers and elders,
3 the commander of fifty and the dignitary, the counselor, the cunning magician, and the clever enchanter.
army captains, state officials, counselors, craftsmen, masters of magic, and experts in the occult.
4 “I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.”
I will give them boys as their leaders who will rule over them in childish ways.
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.
People will mistreat one another, person against person, neighbor against neighbor; the young will assault the old, and the dregs of society will attack those who are reputable.
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.”
A man will grab hold of one of his brothers in their father's house, and tell him, “You've got a coat, you can be our leader! Take over the running of this pile of ruins!”
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!”
But immediately his brother will shout back, “No, not me! I can't take care of this family's problems. In my house I don't have food or clothes. Don't put me in charge as your leader!”
8 For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen because they spoke and acted against the LORD, defying His glorious presence.
For Jerusalem has collapsed and Judah has fallen because of what they said and did in opposition to the Lord, rebelling right in front of him.
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.
The look on their faces proves what they've done, proclaiming their sin just like Sodom—they don't even bother to try and hide it! Tragedy is coming to them! They have brought disaster down upon themselves.
10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor.
Tell those who live right that they will be fine, for they will be happy to receive the reward for what they have done.
11 Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.
But tragedy comes to the wicked, for what they did will be done to them.
12 Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. O My people, your guides mislead you; they turn you from your paths.
Leaders who act in childish ways mistreat my people; women rule over them. My people, your leaders are misleading you, confusing you about which way to go.
13 The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people.
The Lord stands up to prosecute his case. The Lord stands up 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.
The Lord comes to give his judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: You are the ones who have destroyed my vineyard; your houses are full with everything you've stolen from the poor.
15 Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?”
Why have you crushed my people? Why have you ground the faces of the poor into the dirt? the Lord Almighty demands to know.
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—
The Lord says, The women of Zion are so conceited, walking with their heads held high, giving flirty glances, tripping along with their ankle bracelets jingling.
17 the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will make their foreheads bare.”
So the Lord will make their heads full of scabs, and the Lord will expose their private parts.
18 In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents;
At that time the Lord will remove their fine ornaments: ankle bracelets, headbands, crescent necklaces,
19 their pendants, bracelets, and veils;
pendant earrings, bracelets, veils,
20 their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes; their perfume bottles and charms;
headdresses, bangles, sashes, perfume holders, lucky charms,
21 their signet rings and nose rings;
rings, nose rings,
22 their festive robes, capes, cloaks, and purses;
festival clothes, gowns, cloaks, handbags,
23 and their mirrors, linen garments, tiaras, and shawls.
hand mirrors, fine linen underwear, head wraps, 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 clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, shame.
What will happen is that instead of smelling of perfume, she will stink. Instead of a wearing a sash, she will be tied with a rope. Instead of styled hair, she will be bald. Instead of fine clothes, she will wear sackcloth. Instead of looking beautiful, she will be shamed.
25 Your men will fall by the sword, and your warriors in battle.
Your men will be killed by the sword; your soldiers will die in battle.
26 And the gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.
The gates of Zion will cry and mourn. The city will be like a banished woman sitting on the ground.
