1Woe to the city that is filthy and defiled, the city that oppresses!
2She did not obey the voice. She did not accept correction. She did not trust in the LORD. She did not come near to her God.
3Her princes inside her are roaring lions. Her judges are wolves in the evening; they leave no bones to gnaw in the morning.
4Her prophets are reckless and treacherous men. Her priests have defiled the sanctuary; they have done violence to the law.
5The just LORD is in the middle of her; he will do no wrong. Every morning he brings his judgment to light; he does not fail. But the unjust knows no shame.
6"I have cut off the nations. Their towers are ruined. I made their streets waste, so that no one passes by. Their cities are destroyed, so that there is no one left, no inhabitant at all."
7I said, 'Surely you will fear me. You will accept instruction.' Then their home would not be cut off, whatever punishment I sent them. But they rose early and made all their deeds corrupt.
8"So wait for me," says the LORD, "until the day I rise up to take the prey. For I have decided to gather the nations and bring the kingdoms together, and to pour out on them my anger, all my fierce anger. For the whole earth will be eaten up by the fire of my jealousy."
9Then I will give the peoples a pure language, so that they may all call on the name of the LORD and serve him with one mind.
10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia those who pray to me, the daughter of my scattered people, will bring my offering.
11On that day you will not be put to shame for all the deeds by which you rebelled against me. For then I will take away from among you those who delight in your pride, and you will never again be proud on my holy mountain.
12I will also leave among you a people afflicted and poor, and they will trust in the name of the LORD.
13"Those left of Israel will do no wrong and tell no lies. No deceitful tongue will be found in their mouth. They will feed and lie down, and no one will make them afraid."
14Sing, daughter of Zion; shout, Israel; be glad and rejoice with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem.
15The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has driven out your enemy. The king of Israel, the LORD himself, is among you. You will not see evil any more.
16On that day it will be said to Jerusalem, "Do not be afraid," and to Zion, "Do not let your hands hang down."
17The LORD your God is among you, and he is mighty. He will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will rest in his love. He will be glad over you with singing.
18"I will gather those who grieve for the solemn assembly, who belong to you, for whom the shame of it was a burden."
19Look, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you. I will save the one who is lame and gather the one who was driven away. I will give them praise and fame in every land where they were put to shame.
20"At that time I will bring you back, at the time when I gather you. For I will make you a name and a praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I bring back those of you who were captives, before your own eyes," says the LORD.