1 A curse on the designers of evil, working on their beds! in the morning light they do it, because it is in their power.2 They have a desire for fields and take them by force; and for houses and take them away: they are cruel to a man and his family, even to a man and his heritage.3 For this cause the Lord has said, See, against this family I am purposing an evil from which you will not be able to take your necks away, and you will be weighted down by it; for it is an evil time.4 In that day this saying will be said about you, and this song of grief will be made: The heritage of my people is measured out, and there is no one to give it back; those who have made us prisoners have taken our fields from us, and complete destruction has come to us.5 For this cause you will have no one to make the decision by the measuring line in the meeting of the Lord.6 Let not words like these be dropped, they say: Shame and the curse will not come to the family of Jacob!7 Is the Lord quickly made angry? are these his doings? do not his words do good to his people Israel?8 As for you, you have become haters of those who were at peace with you: you take the clothing of those who go by without fear, and make them prisoners of war.9 The women of my people you have been driving away from their dearly loved children; from their young ones you are taking my glory for ever.10 Up! and go; for this is not your rest: because it has been made unclean, the destruction ordered will come on you.11 If a man came with a false spirit of deceit, saying, I will be a prophet to you of wine and strong drink: he would be the sort of prophet for this people.12 I will certainly make all of you, O Jacob, come together; I will get together the rest of Israel; I will put them together like the sheep in their circle: like a flock in their green field; they will be full of the noise of men.13 The opener of the way will go up before them: forcing their way out they will go on to the doorway and out through it: their king will go on before them, and the Lord at their head.

1 Malheur à ceux qui méditent l'iniquité, et qui forgent le mal sur leurs couches! Au point du jour ils l'exécutent, parce qu'ils ont le pouvoir en main.2 Ils convoitent des champs et s'en emparent, des maisons, et ils les enlèvent; ils oppriment l'homme et sa maison, l'homme et son héritage.3 C'est pourquoi, ainsi a dit l'Éternel: Voici, je médite contre cette maison un mal duquel vous ne pourrez point retirer votre cou, et vous ne marcherez plus la tête levée, car ce temps sera mauvais.4 En ce jour-là, on fera de vous un proverbe, on gémira d'un gémissement lamentable; on dira: C'en est fait, nous sommes entièrement dévastés; la portion de mon peuple, il la change de mains! Comment me l'enlève-t-il? Il partage nos champs à l'infidèle!5 C'est pourquoi tu n'auras personne qui étende le cordeau sur un lot, dans l'assemblée de l'Éternel.6 Ne prophétisez pas! disent-ils; s'ils ne prophétisent pas à ceux-ci, la confusion ne s'éloignera pas.7 Toi qui es appelée la maison de Jacob, l'Esprit de l'Éternel est-il prompt à s'irriter? Sont-ce là ses actions? Mes paroles ne sont-elles pas bonnes avec celui qui marche droitement?8 Mais dès longtemps mon peuple se lève en ennemi. Vous enlevez le manteau de dessus la robe à ceux qui passent en assurance, en revenant de la guerre.9 Vous chassez les femmes de mon peuple de leurs maisons où elles prenaient plaisir; vous ôtez pour toujours ma gloire de dessus leurs enfants.10 Levez-vous et marchez! Car ce n'est point ici le lieu du repos; à cause de la souillure qui amène la destruction, une destruction violente.12 Je te rassemblerai tout entier, ô Jacob! Je recueillerai les restes d'Israël, et je les réunirai comme les brebis d'un parc, comme un troupeau au milieu de son pâturage; il y aura un grand bruit d'hommes.13 Celui qui fera la brèche montera devant eux; ils feront irruption, ils passeront la porte, et en sortiront; leur roi marchera devant eux, et l'Éternel sera à leur tête.