Woe to the Rebellious City
3 1 Woe to this rebellious, defiled city — the oppressor! 2 She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in our Father; she does not draw near to her Father.
3 Her officials within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that devour everything before morning. 4 Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy and twist the law. 5 Our Father in her midst is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he brings his justice to light; it never fails. But the unjust knows no shame.
6 "I have cut off nations; their corner towers are desolate. I have laid waste their streets so that no one passes through; their cities are ruined, with no one left — no inhabitant at all. 7 I said, "Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction, " so that her dwelling would not be cut off according to all that I had appointed against her. But still they rose early to corrupt all their deeds.
8 "Therefore wait for me," declares our Father, "for the day I rise up to testify. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth will be consumed.
Purified Lips, One Voice
9 For then I will give the peoples purified lips, that they may all call upon my name and serve me shoulder to shoulder. 10 From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered children, will bring my offering. a a v10 Cush is ancient Ethiopia — the far south, representing the ends of the known world. 11 On that day you will not be ashamed of all the deeds by which you rebelled against me; for then I will remove from your midst your proud and boastful ones, and never again will you be arrogant on my holy mountain. 12 But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly, and they will take refuge in my name. 13 The remnant of Israel will do no wrong and speak no lies, and no deceitful tongue will be found in their mouths. For they will graze and lie down, and no one will make them afraid.
14 Sing aloud, daughter of Zion; shout, Israel! Rejoice and shout for joy with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem! 15 Our Father has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemy. The King of Israel, our Father, is in your midst; never again will you fear harm. 16 On that day it will be said to Jerusalem: "Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. 17 Your Father is in your midst, a mighty warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. b b v17 Our Father rejoices over his children with gladness, quiets them with his love, and sings over them with loud singing — one of the Old Testament's clearest revelations of his joy.
18 I will gather those of yours who mourn — those kept away from the appointed feasts — for they have been a reproach and a burden upon her. 19 At that time I will deal with all who oppress you. I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will turn their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.
20 At that time I will bring you home; at that time I will gather you together. For I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes, says our Father.