1. How horrible it will be for that rebelliousand corrupt place, the city of violence.
2. It obeys no one.It does not accept correction.It does not trust the Lord.It does not draw close to its God.
3. Its officials are ⌊like⌋ roaring lions.Its judges are ⌊like⌋ wolves in the evening.They leave nothing to gnaw on for the morning.
4. Its prophets are reckless and unfaithful.Its priests contaminate what is holy.They violate the teachings.
5. The righteous Lord is in that city.He does no wrong.He brings his judgment to light every morning.He does not fail.But those who are perverted are shameless.
6. “I will cut off the nations.Their towers will be destroyed.I will demolish their streets.No one will walk through them.Their cities will be completely destroyed.Not a single person will be left.No one will be living there.
7. I said ⌊to my people⌋,‘You will fear me.You will accept correction!’Then their homeland would not be wiped outeven though I have punished them.Still, they continued to be corrupt in everything they did.”
8. The Lord declares, “Just wait!One day I will stand up as a witness.I have decided to gather nations,to bring kingdoms together,and to pour my rage, my burning anger, on them.The whole land will be consumed by my fiery fury.
9. “Then I will give all people pure lipsto worship the Lordand to serve him with one purpose.
10. From beyond the rivers of Sudanmy worshipers, my scattered people, will bring my offering.
11. On that day you will no longer be ashamedof all your rebellious acts against me.Then I will remove your arroganceand never again will you act proud on my holy mountain.
12. So with you I will leave a faithful few, a humble and poor people.They will seek refuge in the name of the Lord.