Woe to Oppressive Jerusalem

3 Woe to the city that is rebellious l m and defiled, n

the oppressive city!

2 She has not obeyed; o

she has not accepted discipline. p

She has not trusted q in * Yahweh;

she has not drawn near to her God.

3 The r princes within her are roaring lions; s

her judges are wolves of the night, t

which leave nothing for u the morning.

4 Her prophets are reckless v—

treacherous men.

Her priests profane the sanctuary;

they do violence to instruction. w

5 The righteous Lord is in her; x

He does no wrong. y

He applies His justice morning by morning;

He does not fail at dawn,

yet the one who does wrong knows no shame. z

6 I have cut off nations;

their corner towers a are destroyed.

I have laid waste their streets,

with no one to pass through.

Their cities lie devastated,

without a person, without an inhabitant. b

7 I thought: You will certainly * fear Me

and accept correction.

Then her dwelling place c

would not be cut off

based on all that I had allocated to her.

However, they became more corrupt

in all their actions.

8 Therefore, wait for Me d—

this is the Lord’s declaration—

until the day I rise up for plunder. e

For My decision is to gather nations,

to assemble kingdoms,

in order to pour out My indignation f on them,

all My burning anger;

for the whole earth will be consumed

by the fire of My jealousy. g

Final Restoration Promised

9 For I will then restore

pure h speech to the peoples

so that all of them may call

on the name of Yahweh

and serve Him with a single purpose. i

10 From beyond the rivers of * Cush j

My supplicants, My dispersed people,

will bring an offering to Me.

11 On that day you k will not be put to shame l

because of everything you have done

in rebelling m against Me.

For then I will remove

your proud, n arrogant people from among you,

and you will never again be haughty

on My holy mountain. o

12 I will leave

a meek and humble people p among you,

and they will take refuge in the name of Yahweh.

13 The remnant q of Israel will no longer

do wrong or tell lies;

a deceitful tongue will not be found

in their mouths.

But they will pasture and lie down,

with nothing to make them afraid. r

14 Sing for joy, Daughter * Zion;

shout loudly, Israel!

Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,

Daughter Jerusalem!

15 The Lord has removed your punishment;

He has turned back your enemy.

The King of Israel, Yahweh, is among you;

you need no longer fear harm.

16 On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:

“Do not fear;

Zion, do not let your hands grow weak. s

17 Yahweh your God is among you,

a warrior t who saves.

He will rejoice over you u with gladness.

He will bring you quietness v with His love.

He will delight in you with shouts of joy.” w

18 I will gather those who have been driven x

from the appointed festivals;

they will be a tribute from you y

and a reproach on her. z

19 Yes, at that time

I will deal with all who afflict you.

I will save the lame a and gather the scattered; b

I will make those who were disgraced

throughout the earth

receive praise and fame.

20 At that time I will bring you c back,

yes, at the time I will gather you.

I will give you fame and praise

among all the peoples of the earth,

when I restore your fortunes d before your eyes.

Yahweh has spoken.