Woe to the Oppressors
1 Woe to those who devise iniquity
and plot evil on their beds!
When the morning is light, they practice it,
because it is in their power.
2 They covet fields and seize them,
and houses and confiscate them.
They oppress a man and his house,
a man and his heritage.
3 Therefore the LORD says:
“I am planning disaster against these people,
from which you will not save your necks,
nor will you walk haughtily,
for it is an evil time.
4 In that day they will take up a parable against you
and lament with this sorrowful lamentation, saying,
‘We are utterly ruined!
My people’s possession is divided up.
Indeed he takes it from me and assigns our fields to traitors!’ ”
5 Therefore you will have no one who divides the land by lot
in the assembly of the LORD.
The False Prophets
6 “Don’t prophesy!”
They prophesy.
“Don’t prophesy about these things.
Disgrace won’t overtake us.”
7 Shall it be said, O house of Jacob:
“Is the Spirit of the LORD angry?
Is this his doing?
Do my words not benefit him who walks blamelessly?”
8 But lately my people have risen up
like an enemy.
You strip the robe and clothing
from those who pass by without a care,
returning from battle.
9 You drive the women of my people
out from their lovely homes.
From their young children,
you take my blessing away forever.
10 Get up! Leave!
For this is not your resting place,
because it is defiled, it will destroy you,
with a grievous destruction.
11 If a man walking in a spirit of deceit lies, saying
“I will prophesy to you about beer and wine,”
he would be the prophet for this people.
The Remnant of Israel
12 I will surely assemble all of you, Jacob.
I will surely gather the remnant of Israel.
I will put them together like the sheep of Bozrah,
like a flock in the midst of their pasture.
It will swarm with people.
13 He who breaks open the way will go up before them.
They break through the gate and go out.
And their king will pass through before them,
with the LORD at their head.