Isaiah 3:1–7

The Lord Will Judge Jerusalem and Judah

3Here is what

the Lord who rules over all is about to do.

The Lord will take away from Jerusalem and Judah

supplies and help alike.

He will take away all of the supplies of food and water.

²He’ll take away heroes and soldiers.

He’ll take away judges and prophets.

He’ll take away fortune tellers and elders.

³He’ll take away captains of companies of 50 men.

He’ll take away government leaders.

He’ll take away advisers, skilled workers

and those who are clever at doing evil magic.

⁴The Lord will make young boys rule over all of them.

Mere children will govern them.

⁵People will crush one another.

They will fight against each other.

They will fight against their neighbors.

Young people will attack old people.

Ordinary people will attack those who are more important.

⁶A man will grab hold of one of his brothers

at his father’s home. He will say,

“You have a coat. So you be our leader.

Take charge of all of these broken-down buildings!”

⁷But at that time the brother will cry out,

“I can’t help you.

I don’t have any food or clothing in my house.

Don’t make me the leader of these people.”