CHAPTER 3

15  (3:1) This is the scornful city that dwells securely, that says in her heart, I am, and there is no longer any to be after me: how is she become desolate, a habitation of wild beasts! Every one that passes through her shall hiss, and shake his hands.

1  (3:1A) Alas the glorious and ransomed city.

2  The dove hearkened not to the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord, and she drew not near to her God.

3  Her princes within her were as roaring lions, her judges as the wolves of Arabia; they remained not till the morning.

4  Her prophets are insolent and scornful men: her priests profane the holy things, and sinfully transgress the law.

5  But the just Lord is in the midst of her, and He will never do an unjust thing: morning by morning He will bring out His judgment to the light, and it is not hidden, and He knows not injustice by extortion, nor injustice in strife.

6  I have brought down the proud with destruction; their corners are destroyed: I will make their ways completely waste, so that none shall go through: their cities are come to an end, by reason of no man living or dwelling in them.

7  I said, But do you fear Me, and receive instruction, and you shall not be cut off from the face of the land for all the vengeance I have brought upon her: prepare yourself; rise early: all their produce is spoiled.

8  Therefore wait upon Me, says the Lord, until the day when I rise up for a witness: because My judgment shall be on the gatherings of the nations, to draw to Me kings, to pour out upon them all My fierce anger: for the whole earth shall be consumed with the fire of My jealousy.

9  For then will I turn to the peoples a tongue for her generation, that all may call on the name of the Lord, to serve Him under one yoke.

10  From the boundaries of the rivers of Ethiopia will I receive My dispersed ones; they shall offer sacrifices to Me.

11  In that day you shall not be ashamed of all your practices, where you have transgressed against Me: for then will I take away from you your disdainful pride, and you shall no more magnify yourself upon My holy mountain.

12  And I will leave in you a meek and lowly people;

13  and the remnant of Israel shall fear the name of the Lord, and shall do no iniquity, neither shall they speak vanity; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed, and lie down, and there shall be none to terrify them.

14  Rejoice, O daughter of Zion; cry aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem; rejoice and delight yourself with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

15  The Lord has taken away your iniquities, He has ransomed you from the hand of your enemies: the Lord, the King of Israel, is in the midst of you: you shall not see evil any more.

16  At that time the Lord shall say to Jerusalem, Be of good courage, Zion; let not your hands be slack.

17  The Lord your God is in you; the Mighty One shall save you: He shall bring joy upon you, and shall refresh you with His love; and He shall rejoice over you with delight as in a day of feasting.

18  And I will gather your afflicted ones. Alas! Who has taken up a reproach against her?

19  Behold, I will work in you for your sake at that time, says the Lord: and I will save her that was oppressed, and receive her that was rejected; and I will make them a praise, and honored in all the earth.

20  And their enemies shall be ashamed at that time, when I shall deal well with you, and at the time when I shall receive you: for I will make you honored and a praise among all the nations of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before you, says the Lord.