1 - ?Jerusalem?
Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled!
2 - She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lord, she does not draw near to her God.
3 - Her officials within her are roaring lions; her rulers are evening wolves, who leave nothing for the morning.
4 - Her prophets are unprincipled; they are treacherous people. Her priests profane the sanctuary and do violence to the law.
5 - The Lord within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail, yet the unrighteous know no shame.
6 - ?Jerusalem Remains Unrepentant?
"I have destroyed nations; their strongholds are demolished. I have left their streets deserted, with no one passing through. Their cities are laid waste; they are deserted and empty.
7 - Of Jerusalem I thought, 'Surely you will fear me and accept correction!' Then her place of refuge
8 - Therefore wait for me," declares the Lord, "for the day I will stand up to testify.
9 - "Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder.
10 - From beyond the rivers of Cush
11 - On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from you your arrogant boasters. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill.
12 - But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord.
13 - They will do no wrong; they will tell no lies. A deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid."
14 - Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!
15 - The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.
16 - On that day they will say to Jerusalem, "Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.
17 - The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."
18 - "I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you.
19 - At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame.
20 - At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes