1Woe (judgment is coming) to her who is rebellious and defiled,The tyrannical city [Jerusalem]!2She did not listenand heed the voice [of God];She accepted no correction.She did not trust in the LORD [but trusted her own power];She did not draw near to her God [but to the pagan gods of Baal or Molech].3Her officials within her are roaring lions;Her judges are [as hungry as] the wolves at evening,They leave nothing for the morning.4Her 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].5The LORD is 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 LORD] have cut offand destroyed 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 with all 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 LORD,
“[Wait] for the day when I rise up as a witness [against the nations].For it is My decisionand My 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 LORD,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 rebelledand sinned 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].
A Remnant of Israel
12“But I will leave among youA humble and lowly people,And they will take refugeand trust confidently in the name of the LORD.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 trembleand feel afraid.”14Shout for joy, O Daughter of Zion!Shoutin triumph, O Israel!Rejoice, be in high spiritsand glory with all your heart,O Daughter of Jerusalem [in that day]!15The LORD has taken away the judgments against you;He has cleared away your enemies.The King of Israel, even the LORD [Himself], is in your midst;You will no longer fear disaster.16In that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not be afraid, O Zion;Do not let your hands fall limp.17“The LORD your 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 LORD.
