^21:23But those in Jerusalem²⁸ will view it as a false omen. They have sworn solemn oaths,²⁹ but the king of Babylon³⁰ will accuse them of violations³¹ in order to seize them.³²

^21:24“Therefore this is what the sovereign Lord says: ‘Because you have brought up³³ your own guilt by uncovering your transgressions and revealing your sins through all your actions, for this reason you will be taken by force.³⁴

^21:25“ ‘As for you, profane and wicked prince of Israel,³⁵

whose day has come, the time of final punishment,

^21:26this is what the sovereign Lord says:

Tear off the turban,³⁶

take off the crown!

Things must change!³⁷

Exalt the lowly,

bring down the proud!³⁸

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Footnotes

28 Heb “they”; the referent (the people in Jerusalem) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
29 When the people of Judah realized the Babylonians’ intentions, they would object on grounds that they had made a treaty with the Babylonian king (see 17:13).
30 Heb “he”; the referent (the king of Babylon) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
31 Or “iniquity.”
32 Heb “and he will remind of guilt for the purpose of being captured.” The king would counter their objections by pointing out that they had violated their treaty with him (see 17:18).
33 Heb “caused to be remembered.”
34 Heb “Because you have brought to remembrance your guilt when your transgressions are uncovered so that your sins are revealed in all your deeds—because you are remembered, by the hand you will be seized.”
35 This probably refers to King Zedekiah.
36 Elsewhere in the Bible the turban is worn by priests (Exod 28:4, 37, 39; 29:6; 39:28, 31; Lev 8:9; 16:4), but here a royal crown is in view.
37 Heb “This not this.”
38 Heb “the high one.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

But to them it will seem like a false divination. They have sworn solemn oaths, but he brings their guilt to remembrance, that they may be taken.

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: Because you have made your guilt to be remembered, in that your transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your deeds your sins appear—because you have come to remembrance, you shall be taken in hand. And you, O profane wicked one, prince of Israel, whose day has come, the time of your final punishment, thus says the Lord God: Remove the turban and take off the crown. Things shall not remain as they are. Exalt that which is low, and bring low that which is exalted.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

It will seem like a false omen to those who have sworn allegiance to him, but he will remind them of their guilt and take them captive.

“Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Because you people have brought to mind your guilt by your open rebellion, revealing your sins in all that you do—because you have done this, you will be taken captive.

“ ‘You profane and wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come, whose time of punishment has reached its climax, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

It will seem like false divination to those who have sworn an oath to the Babylonians, but it will draw attention to their guilt so that they will be captured.

“Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: Because you have drawn attention to your guilt, exposing your transgressions, so that your sins are revealed in all your actions—since you have done this, you will be captured by them. And you, profane and wicked prince of Israel, the day has come for your punishment.

“This is what the Lord God says:

Remove the turban, and take off the crown.

Things will not remain as they are;

exalt the lowly and bring down the exalted.

NLTNew Living Translation

The people of Jerusalem will think it is a false omen, because of their treaty with the Babylonians. But the king of Babylon will remind the people of their rebellion. Then he will attack and capture them.

“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Again and again you remind me of your sin and your guilt. You don’t even try to hide it! In everything you do, your sins are obvious for all to see. So now the time of your punishment has come!

“O you corrupt and wicked prince of Israel, your final day of reckoning is here! This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“Take off your jeweled crown,

for the old order changes.

Now the lowly will be exalted,

and the mighty will be brought down.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And it will be to them like practicing divination falsely in their eyes; they have sworn oaths for themselves. But he will bring their guilt to remembrance so as to seize them.

“Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: ‘Because you have brought to remembrance your guilt by the uncovering of your transgressions, so that your sins in all of your deeds appear—because of your being remembered, you will be captured in the hand.’ And as for you, profane one, wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come with the time of the punishment of the end, thus says the Lord Yahweh: ‘Remove the turban and lift off the crown; things are no longer the same. Exalt the low and bring low the high.

KJV 1900King James Version

And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken. Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.

And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.

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