1Woe to her that is rebellious and polluted ! to the oppressing city ! 2She obeyed not the voice ; she received not correction ; she trusted not in Jehovah ; she drew not near to her God . 3Her princes in the midst of her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves ; they leave nothing till the morrow . 4Her prophets are light and treacherous persons; her priests have profaned the sanctuary , they have done violence to the law . 5Jehovah in the midst of her is righteous ; he will not do iniquity ; every morning doth he bring his justice to light, he faileth not ; but the unjust knoweth no shame .
The Judgment of the Nations
6I have cut off nations ; their battlements are desolate ; I have made their streets waste , so that none passeth by ; their cities are destroyed , so that there is no man , so that there is no inhabitant . 7I said, Only fear thou me ; receive correction ; so her dwelling shall not be cut off , according to all that I have appointed concerning her : but they rose early and corrupted all their doings . 8Therefore wait ye for me , saith Jehovah , until the day that I rise up to the prey ; for my determination is to gather the nations , that I may assemble the kingdoms , to pour upon them mine indignation , even all my fierce anger ; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy .
The Promise of Restoration
9For then will I turn to the peoples of a pure language , that they may all call upon the name of Jehovah , to serve him with one consent . 10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants , even the daughter of my dispersed , shall bring mine offering . 11In that day shalt thou not be put to shame for all thy doings , wherein thou hast transgressed against me ; for then I will take away out of the midst of thee thy proudly exulting ones , and thou shalt no more be haughty in my holy mountain . 12But I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people , and they shall take refuge in the name of Jehovah . 13The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity , nor speak lies ; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth ; for they shall feed and lie down , and none shall make them afraid .
The Joy of Salvation
14Sing , O daughter of Zion ; shout , O Israel ; be glad and rejoice with all the heart , O daughter of Jerusalem . 15Jehovah hath taken away thy judgments , he hath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel , even Jehovah , is in the midst of thee ; thou shalt not fear evil any more . 16In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem , Fear thou not ; O Zion , let not thy hands be slack . 17Jehovah thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty one who will save ; he will rejoice over thee with joy ; he will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing . 18I will gather them that sorrow for the solemn assembly , who were of thee ; to whom the burden upon her was a reproach . 19Behold , at that time I will deal with all them that afflict thee ; and I will save that which is lame , and gather that which was driven away ; and I will make them a praise and a name , whose shame hath been in all the earth. 20At that time will I bring you in , and at that time will I gather you ; for I will make you a name and a praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I bring back your captivity before your eyes , saith Jehovah .