1 Woe to Jerusalem and the Nations Woe (judgment is coming) to her who is rebellious and defiled,The tyrannical city [Jerusalem]!
2 She did not listenandheed the voice [of God];She accepted no correction.She did not trust in the L[but trusted her own power];She did not draw near to her God [but to the pagan gods of Baal or Molech].
3 Her officials within her are roaring lions;Her judges are [as hungry as] the wolves at evening,They leave nothing for the morning.
4 Her prophets are reckless and treacherous men;Her priests have profaned the sanctuary;They have done violence to the law [by pretending their word is God’s word].
5 The Lis righteous within her;He will do no injustice.Every morning He brings His justice to light;He does not fail.But the unjust person knows no shame.
6 “I [the L] have cut offanddestroyed nations [as a warning to Judah];Their corner towers (battlements) are in ruins.I have made their streets desolateSo that no one passes by;Their cities are destroyedSo that there is no man, there is no inhabitant.
7 I said, ‘Most certainly you will [reverently] fear Me;Accept correction.’So Jerusalem’s dwelling will not be cut offIn accordance withall that I have appointed concerning her [punishment],But they were eager [even rising early] to make all their deeds corrupt.
8 “Therefore [you of the godly remnant of Judah, patiently] wait for Me,” declares the L,“[Wait] for the day when I rise up as a witness [against the nations].For it is My decisionandMy right to gather the nations,To assemble kingdoms,To pour out on them My indignation,All [the heat of] My burning anger;For [in that day] all the earth shall be consumedBy the fire of My zeal.
9 Then I will give to the peoples [clear and pure speech from] purified lips [which reflect their purified hearts],That all of them may call on the name of the L,To serve Him shoulder to shoulder (united).
10 From beyond the rivers of EthiopiaMy worshipers, [the descendants of] My dispersed ones,Will bring My offerings.
11 On that day you [Israel] will feel no shameBecause of all your actsBy which you have rebelledandsinned against Me;Then I will remove from among youYour rejoicing ones who delight in their pride;And you will never again behave arrogantlyOn My holy mountain [Mount Zion].
12 A Remnant of Israel But I will leave among youA humble and lowly people,And they will take refugeandtrust confidently in the name of the L.
13 The remnant of Israel will do no wrongNor speak lies,Nor will a deceitful tongueBe found in their mouths;For they will eat and lie downWith no one to make them trembleandfeel afraid.”
14 Shout for joy, O Daughter of Zion!Shoutin triumph,O Israel!Rejoice, be in high spiritsandglory with all your heart,O Daughter of Jerusalem [in that day]!
15 The Lhas taken away the judgments against you;He has cleared away your enemies.The King of Israel, even the L[Himself], is in your midst;You will no longer fear disaster.
16 In that day it will be said to Jerusalem:“Do not be afraid, O Zion;Do not let your hands fall limp.
17 The Lyour God is in your midst,A Warrior who saves.He will rejoice over you with joy;He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins],He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
18 I will gather those [Israelites in captivity] who grieve about the appointed feasts—They came from you, [O Zion];On whom the reproach [of exile] is a burden.
19 Behold, at that time I am going to dealWith all your oppressors;I will save the lameAnd gather the scattered,And I will turn their shame into praise and renownIn every land [where they have suffered].
20 At that time I will bring you in,Yes, at the time I gather you together;For I will make you a name and a praiseAmong all the peoples of the earthWhen I restore your fortunes [and freedom] before your eyes,”Says the L.