1 For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the rod and the staff, the whole support of bread, and the whole support of water,

2 The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient,

3 The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the skilful craftsman, and the eloquent orator. the honourable…: Heb. a man eminent in countenanceeloquent…: or, skilful of speech

4 And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.

5 And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the elder, and the base against the honourable.

6 When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, saying, Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and let this ruin be under thy hand:

7 In that day shall he swear, saying, I will not be an healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing: make me not a ruler of the people. swear: Heb. lift up the handhealer: Heb. binder up

8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.

9 The show of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe to their soul! for they have rewarded evil to themselves.

10 Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

11 Woe to the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. given…: Heb. done to him

12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they who lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. lead…: or, call thee blesseddestroy: Heb. swallow up

13 The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.

14 The LORD will enter into judgment with the elders of his people, and with their princes: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses. eaten: or, burnt

15 What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

16 Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with extended necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: wanton…: Heb. deceiving with their eyesmincing: or, tripping nicely

17 Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will uncover their secret parts. discover: Heb. make naked

18 In that day the Lord will take away the show of their tinkling anklets, and their scarves, and their necklaces like the moon, cauls: or, networks

19 The pendant, and the bracelets, and the veils, chains: or, sweet ballsmufflers: or, spangled ornaments

20 The headdresses, and the leg ornaments, and the headbands, and the perfume bottles, and the charms, tablets: Heb. houses of the soul

21 The rings, and nose jewels,

22 The fine robes, and the mantles, and the outer garments, and the purses,

23 The mirrors, and the fine linen, and the turbans, and the veils.

24 And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be a foul odour; and instead of a belt a rope; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a rich robe a girding of sackcloth; and a brand instead of beauty.

25 Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war. mighty: Heb. might

26 And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground. desolate: or, emptied: Heb. cleansed