3:1 Woe to the city that is rebellious and defiled, the oppressive city!
3:2 She has not obeyed; she has not accepted discipline. She has not trusted in the Lord; she has not drawn near to her God.
3:3 The princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are wolves of the night, which leave nothing for the morning.
3:4 Her prophets are reckless— treacherous men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to instruction.
3:5 The righteous Lord is in her; he does no wrong. He applies his justice morning by morning; he does not fail at dawn, yet the one who does wrong knows no shame.
3:6 I have cut off nations; their corner towers are destroyed. I have laid waste their streets, with no one to pass through. Their cities lie devastated, without a person, without an inhabitant.
3:7 I said: You will certainly fear me and accept correction. Then her dwelling place would not be cut off based on all that I had allocated to her. However, they became more corrupt in all their actions.
3:8 Therefore, wait for me— this is the Lord’s declaration— until the day I rise up for plunder. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, in order to pour out my indignation on them, all my burning anger; for the whole earth will be consumed by the fire of my jealousy.
3:9 For I will then restore pure speech to the peoples so that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him with a single purpose.
3:10 From beyond the rivers of Cush my supplicants, my dispersed people, will bring an offering to me.
3:11 On that day you will not be put to shame because of everything you have done in rebelling against me. For then I will remove from among you your jubilant, arrogant people, and you will never again be haughty on my holy mountain.
3:12 I will leave a meek and humble people among you, and they will take refuge in the name of the Lord.
3:13 The remnant 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.
3:14 Sing for joy, Daughter Zion; shout loudly, Israel! Be glad and celebrate with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!
3:15 The 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.
3:16 On that day it will be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear; Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.
3:17 The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing.”
3:18 I will gather those who have been driven from the appointed festivals; they will be a tribute from you and a reproach on her.
3:19 Yes, at that time I will deal with all who oppress you. I will save the lame and gather the outcasts; I will make those who were disgraced throughout the earth receive praise and fame.
3:20 At that time I will bring you 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 before your eyes. The Lord has spoken.
Your support helps pay our hosting costs, and
- with a little bit extra -
lets us pay transcribers and proofreaders.
If you can help, Click here to become a Patreon:
www.patreon.com/IslamAwakened Thank you!