8 The words “the Lord says” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The prophet speaks in vv. 1–3 (note the third person reference to the Lord in v. 1), but here the Lord himself announces that he will intervene in judgment. It is unclear where the Lord’s words end and the prophet’s pick up again. The prophet is apparently speaking again by v. 8, where the Lord is referred to in the third person. Since vv. 4–7 comprise a thematic unity, the quotation probably extends through v. 7.
9 תַעֲלוּלִים (ta’alulim) is often understood as an abstract plural meaning “wantonness, cruelty” (cf. ). In this case the chief characteristic of these leaders is substituted for the leaders themselves. However, several translations make the parallelism tighter by emending the form to עוֹלְלִים (’olélim, “children”; cf. ESV, , , , , ). This emendation is unnecessary for at least two reasons. The word in the highlights the cruelty or malice of the “leaders” who are left behind in the wake of God’s judgment. The immediate context makes clear the fact that they are mere youths. The coming judgment will sweep away the leaders, leaving a vacuum which will be filled by incompetent, inexperienced youths.
10 Heb “man against man, and a man against his neighbor.”
11 Heb “and those lightly esteemed those who are respected.” The verb רָהַב (rahav) does double duty in the parallelism.

In other versions

And I will make boys their princes,

and infants shall rule over them.

And the people will oppress one another,

every one his fellow

and every one his neighbor;

the youth will be insolent to the elder,

and the despised to the honorable.

“I will make mere youths their officials;

children will rule over them.”

People will oppress each other—

man against man, neighbor against neighbor.

The young will rise up against the old,

the nobody against the honored.

“I will make youths their leaders,

and unstable rulers will govern them.”

The people will oppress one another,

man against man, neighbor against neighbor;

the young will act arrogantly toward the old,

and the worthless toward the honorable.

I will make boys their leaders,

and toddlers their rulers.

People will oppress each other—

man against man,

neighbor against neighbor.

Young people will insult their elders,

and vulgar people will sneer at the honorable.

And I will make boys their princes,

and children shall rule over them.

And the people will be oppressed by each other

and a man by his neighbor.

The boy will act arrogantly toward the elder,

and the dishonorable toward the honorable.

And I will give children to be their princes,

And babes shall rule over them.

And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour:

The child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient,

And the base against the honourable.

Public Domain