Capítulo 3

1 - See now, the Lord, the Lord Almighty, is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: all supplies of food and all supplies of water,

2 - the hero and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder,

3 - the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor, skilled craftsman and clever enchanter.

4 - "I will make mere youths their officials; children will rule over them."

5 - People will oppress each other - man against man, neighbor against neighbor. The young will rise up against the old, the nobody against the honored.

6 - A man will seize one of his brothers in his father's house, and say, "You have a cloak, you be our leader; take charge of this heap of ruins!"

7 - But in that day he will cry out, "I have no remedy. I have no food or clothing in my house; do not make me the leader of the people."

8 - Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.

9 - The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves.

10 - Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.

11 - Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.

12 - Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path.

13 - The Lord takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people.

14 - The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: "It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses.

15 - What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?" declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.

16 - The Lord says, "The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, strutting along with swaying hips, with ornaments jingling on their ankles.

17 - Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the Lord will make their scalps bald."

18 - In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces,

19 - the earrings and bracelets and veils,

20 - the headdresses and anklets and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms,

21 - the signet rings and nose rings,

22 - the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses

23 - and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls.

24 - Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-dressed hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding.

25 - Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle.

26 - The gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.