Isaiah 3:16–4:1

A Warning to Women of Jerusalem

¹⁶The Lord says,

“The women of Jerusalem are proud.

They walk around with their heads held high,

and they flirt with their eyes.

They take quick, short steps,

making noise with their ankle bracelets.”

¹⁷So the Lord will put sores on the heads of those women in Jerusalem,

and he will make them lose their hair.

¹⁸At that time the Lord will take away everything that makes them proud: their beautiful ankle bracelets, their headbands, their necklaces shaped like the moon, ¹⁹their earrings, bracelets, and veils, ²⁰their scarves, ankle chains, the cloth belts worn around their waists, their bottles of perfume, and charms, ²¹their signet rings, nose rings, ²²their fine robes, capes, shawls, and purses, ²³their mirrors, linen dresses, turbans, and long shawls.

²⁴Instead of wearing sweet-smelling perfume, they will stink.

Instead of fine cloth belts, they will wear the ropes of captives.

Instead of having their hair fixed in fancy ways, they will be bald.

Instead of fine clothes, they will wear clothes of sadness.

Instead of being beautiful, they will wear the brand of a captive.

²⁵At that time your men will be killed with swords,

and your heroes will die in war.

²⁶There will be crying and sadness near the city gates.

Jerusalem will be like a woman who has lost everything and sits on the ground.

4At that time seven women will grab one man

and say, “We will eat our own bread

and make our own clothes,

but please marry us!

Please, take away our shame.”