1. Woe to the city of oppressors,rebellious and defiled!
2. She obeys no one,she accepts no correction.She does not trust in the Lord,she does not draw near to her God.
3. Her officials within herare roaring lions;her rulers are evening wolves,who leave nothing for the morning.
4. Her prophets are unprincipled;they are treacherous people.Her priests profane the sanctuaryand do violence to the law.
5. The Lord within her is righteous;he does no wrong.Morning by morning he dispenses his justice,and every new day he does not fail,yet the unrighteous know no shame.
6. ‘I have destroyed nations;their strongholds are demolished.I have left their streets deserted,with no one passing through.Their cities are laid waste;they are deserted and empty.
7. Of Jerusalem I thought,“Surely you will fear meand accept correction!”Then her place of refuge would not be destroyed,nor all my punishments come upon her.But they were still eagerto act corruptly in all they did.
8. Therefore wait for me,’declares the Lord,‘for the day I will stand up to testify.I have decided to assemble the nations,to gather the kingdomsand to pour out my wrath on them –all my fierce anger.The whole world will be consumedby the fire of my jealous anger.
9. ‘Then I will purify the lips of the peoples,that all of them may call on the name of the Lordand serve him shoulder to shoulder.
10. From beyond the rivers of Cushmy worshippers, my scattered people,will bring me offerings.
11. On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shamefor all the wrongs you have done to me,because I will remove from youyour arrogant boasters.Never again will you be haughtyon my holy hill.
12. But I will leave within youthe meek and humble.The remnant of Israelwill trust in the name of the Lord.
13. They will do no wrong;they will tell no lies.A deceitful tonguewill not be found in their mouths.They will eat and lie downand no one will make them afraid.’
14. Sing, Daughter Zion;shout aloud, Israel!Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,Daughter Jerusalem!