1. Look, the sovereign Lord who commands armiesis about to remove from Jerusalem and Judahevery source of security, includingall the food and water,
2. the mighty men and warriors,judges and prophets,omen readers and leaders,
3. captains of groups of fifty,the respected citizens,advisers and those skilled in magical arts,and those who know incantations.
4. The Lord says, “I will make youths their officials;malicious young men will rule over them.
5. The people will treat each other harshly;men will oppose each other;neighbors will fight.Youths will proudly defy the elderlyand riffraff will challenge those who were once respected.
6. Indeed, a man will grab his brotherright in his father’s house and say,‘You own a coat – you be our leader!This heap of ruins will be under your control.’
7. At that time the brother will shout,‘I am no doctor,I have no food or coat in my house;don’t make me a leader of the people!’”