Woe to Oppressive Jerusalem

1Woe to the city that is rebelliousa a and defiled,b

the oppressive city!

2She has not obeyed;a

she has not accepted discipline.b

She has not trustedc in the Lord;

she has not drawn near to her God.

3TheA princes within her are roaring lions;a

her judges are wolves of the night,b

which leave nothing forB the morning.

4Her prophets are recklessa —

treacherous men.

Her priests profane the sanctuary;

they do violence to instruction.b

5The righteous Lord is in her;a

he does no wrong.b

He applies his justice morning by morning;

he does not fail at dawn,

yet the one who does wrong knows no shame.c

6I have cut off nations;

their corner towersa 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

7I said: You will certainly fear me

and accept correction.

Then her dwelling placeA

would not be cut off

based on all that I had allocated to her.

However, they became more corrupt

in all their actions.

8Therefore, wait for mea —

this is the Lord’s declaration —

until the day I rise up for plunder.A

For my decision is to gather nations,

to assemble kingdoms,

in order to pour out my indignationb on them,

all my burning anger;

for the whole earth will be consumed

by the fire of my jealousy.c

Final Restoration Promised

9For I will then restore

purea speech to the peoples

so that all of them may call

on the name of the Lord

and serve him with a single purpose.A

10From beyond the rivers of Cusha

my supplicants, my dispersed people,

will bring an offering to me.

11On that day youA will not be put to shamea

because of everything you have done

in rebellingb against me.

For then I will remove

from among you your jubilant,c arrogant people,

and you will never again be haughty

on my holy mountain.d

12I will leave

a meek and humble peoplea among you,

and they will take refuge in the name of the Lord.

13The remnanta of Israel will no longer

do wrong or tell lies;

a deceitful tongue will not be found

in their mouths.

They will pasture and lie down,

with nothing to make them afraid.b

14Sing for joy, Daughter Zion;

shout loudly, Israel!

Be glad and celebrate with all your heart,

Daughter Jerusalem!

15The Lord has removed your punishment;

he has turned back your enemy.

The King of Israel, the Lord, is among you;

you need no longer fear harm.

16On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:

“Do not fear;

Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.a

17The Lord your God is among you,

a warriora who saves.

He will rejoice over youb with gladness.

He will be quietA in his love.

He will delight in you with singing.”c

18I will gather those who have been drivena

from the appointed festivals;

they will be a tribute from youA

and a reproach on her.B

19Yes, at that time

I will deal with all who oppress you.

I will save the lamea and gather the outcasts;b

I will make those who were disgraced

throughout the earth

receive praise and fame.

20At that time I will bring youA 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 fortunesa before your eyes.

The Lord has spoken.