The Judgment on Jerusalem
1 Woe to the city that is rebellious and defiled,
the oppressive city!
2 She did not obey.
She did not receive correction.
She did not trust in the Lord.
She did not draw near to her God.
3 Her leaders are roaring lions.
Her judges are evening wolves.
They leave nothing for the next day.
4 Her prophets are arrogant and treacherous people.
Her priests have profaned the sanctuary.
They have done violence to the law.
5 The righteous Lord is still in the midst of her.
He will do no wrong.
Every morning he brings his justice to light.
He does not fail,
but the unjust know no shame.
6 I have destroyed nations.
Their towers are destroyed.
I have made their streets waste,
so that no one passes through.
Their cities are destroyed,
so that there is no one,
so that there is no inhabitant.
7 I said, “Surely they will fear me now,
and receive correction,
so that her dwelling would not be destroyed,
according to all that I have appointed concerning her.”
But they rose early to corrupt all their deeds.
8 “Therefore wait for me,” says the Lord,
“until the day
when I arise as a witness,
for my determination is to gather the nations,
that I may assemble the kingdoms,
to pour on them my indignation,
all my fierce anger,
for all the earth will be devoured
with the fire of my jealousy.
Purification of the Nations
9 For then I will purify
the lips of the peoples,
that they may all call on the name of the Lord,
to serve him shoulder to shoulder.
10 From beyond the rivers of Cush,
my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed people,
will bring my offering.
11 On that day you will not be put to shame
for any of the deeds by which you sinned against me,
for then I will remove the proud, self-exulting people
from among you,
and you will no longer be arrogant
on my holy mountain.
12 But I will leave among you a meek and humble people,
and they will take refuge in the name of the Lord.
13 The remnant of Israel
will not practice sin, nor speak lies,
nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth,
for they will feed and lie down,
and no one will make them afraid.”
Israel’s Restoration
14 Sing, daughter of Zion!
Shout, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
daughter of Jerusalem.
15 The Lord has taken away your judgments.
He has thrown out your enemy.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is among you.
You will no longer be afraid of disaster.
16 On that day, it will be said to Jerusalem,
“Do not be afraid, Zion.
Do not let your hands be weak.”
17 The Lord, your God, is among you,
a warrior who will save.
He will exult over you with joy.
He will calm you in his love.
He will rejoice over you with singing.
18 I will gather those among you
who grieve over the appointed feasts,
for whom the reproach of exile was a burden.
19 At that time
I will deal with all those who oppress you,
and I will save those who are lame
and gather those who were driven away.
I will give them praise and honor,
in every land where they have been put to shame.
20 At that time I will bring you back,
and at that time I will gather you;
for I will give you honor and praise
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes, declares the Lord.