3:1 Observe this: The Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and from Judah every kind of security: the entire supply of bread and water,
3:2 the hero and warrior, the judge and prophet, the fortune-teller and elder,
3:3 the commander of 50 and the dignitary, the counselor, cunning magician, and necromancer."
3:4 I will make youths their leaders, and the unstable will govern them."
3:5 The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the youth will act arrogantly toward the elder, and the worthless toward the honorable.
3:6 A man will even seize his brother in his father's house, saying:" You have a cloak--you be our leader! This heap of rubble will be under your control."
3:7 On that day he will cry out, saying:" I'm not a healer. I don't even have food or clothing in my house. Don't make me the leader of the people!"
3:8 For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen because they have spoken and acted against the LORD, defying His glorious presence.
3:9 The look 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 evil on themselves.
3:10 Tell the righteous that it will go well for them, for they will eat the fruit of their labor.
3:11 Woe to the wicked--it will go badly for them, for what they have done will be done to them.
3:12 Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. My people, your leaders mislead you; they confuse the direction of your paths.
3:13 The LORD rises to argue the case and stands to judge the people.
3:14 The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people:" You have devastated the vineyard. The plunder from the poor is in your houses.
3:15 Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?" This is the declaration of the Lord GOD of Hosts.
3:16 The LORD also says: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, walking with heads held high and seductive eyes, going along with prancing steps, jingling their ankle bracelets,
3:17 the Lord will put scabs on the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will shave their foreheads bare.
3:18 On that day the Lord will strip their finery: ankle bracelets, headbands, crescents,
3:24 Instead of perfume there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of beautifully styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothes, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding.
3:25 Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle.
3:26 Then her gates will lament and mourn; deserted, she will sit on the ground.
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