Isaiah 3

1 For behold [look, see], the Lord [the sovereign Master, ʼâdôwn] GOD [Yehovah, the sovereign God] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces] is about to remove [take away, turn aside] from Jerusalem [the city of peace] and Judah [the tribe of praise] both supply [support, sustenance] and support [staff, strength]: the whole [all, everything] supply of food [bread, nourishment] and water [refreshment, life], word study 2 the mighty man [strong warrior, hero] and the warrior [man of war], the judge [to govern, vindicate] and the prophet [one who speaks for God], the soothsayer [diviner, one who practices magic] and the elder [old, elderly, respected leader], word study 3 the commander [captain or leader] of fifty and the dignitary [honourable man or person of high position], the counselor [adviser or guide], the cunning [skilled or wise] magician [craftsman or artificer], and the clever [skilful or eloquent] enchanter [charmer or ritual performer]. word study 4 “I will make mere lads [youths, boys] their leaders [princes, rulers], and children [babes, foolish ones] will rule [have power, govern] over them [in a childish manner, with caprice].” word study 5 The people [a nation, a community] will oppress [exert harsh control, mistreat] one another, man [an individual, a person] against man, neighbor [a close associate, a fellow citizen] against neighbor; the young [youths, those in their early years] will rise up [be assertive, act proudly] against the old [the elderly, those advanced in years], and the base [those of low moral character, the dishonorable] against the honorable [those of high esteem, the respected]. word study 6 A man [individual, person] will seize [capture, take hold of] his brother [male sibling, close relative] within his father’s [paternal, ancestral] house: “You have a cloak [mantle, garment]—you be our leader [chief, ruler, person in charge]! Take charge [be responsible for, have control over] of this heap of rubble [ruins, fallen kingdom, place of destruction].” word study 7 On that day [in the future, at a specific time] he will cry aloud [lift up his voice, shout]: “I am not a healer [one who binds up, a physician]. I have no food [bread, sustenance] or clothing [garment, apparel] in my house [dwelling place, family]. Do not make me leader [ruler, chief] of the people [nation, community]!” word study 8 For Jerusalem [the city of peace, capital of Palestine] has stumbled [become feeble, lost balance] and Judah [the tribe descended from Judah, a region] has fallen [been defeated, failed] because they spoke [with their tongue] and acted [did deeds] against the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], defying [rebelling, resisting] His glorious [full of honor, splendor] presence [the eyes of His glory, a source of majesty]. word study 9 The expression [show, appearance] on their faces [countenance, presence] testifies [witnesses, answers] against them, and like Sodom [a city notorious for wickedness] they flaunt [declare, proclaim openly] their sin [guilt, iniquity]; they do not conceal [hide, cover] it. Woe [alas, a cry of sorrow] to them, for they have brought [rewarded, treated themselves to] disaster [evil, calamity] upon themselves. word study 10 Tell the righteous [just, upright] it will be well [pleasant, good] with them, for [because] they will enjoy [eat, receive] the fruit [result, product] of their labor [deeds, work]. word study 11 Woe [alas, oh no] to the wicked [morally wrong, guilty of sin]; disaster [calamity, evil] is upon them [will befall them]! For [because, since] they will be repaid [given recompense, rewarded] with what their hands [strength, actions] have done [accomplished, brought about]. word study 12 Youths [children, inexperienced leaders] oppress [exact, harass] My people [Amaw, the nation of Israel], and women [females, wives] rule [have power, dominate] over them. O My people [My nation, My community], your guides [leaders, rulers] mislead [cause to err, lead astray] you; they turn [lead, direct] you from your paths [ways, journey]. word study 13 The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] arises [stands up, takes a stance] to contend [to plead, prosecute his case]; He stands [positions Himself, takes a strong stance] to judge [to plead a cause, govern] the people [nations, a multitude]. word study 14 The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] brings this charge [enters into judgment, will judge] against the elders [old, elderly, respected leaders] and leaders [rulers, princes] of His people [nation, community]: “You [as individuals, collectively] have devoured [eaten up, consumed] the vineyard [a garden or plot of land for growing vines]; the plunder [spoil, robbery] of the poor [afflicted, humble, weak] is in your houses [dwelling places, homes]. word study 15 Why do you [oppress, consume] crush My people [Amaw, a nation or tribe] and grind [crush, bruise] the faces [presence, being] of the poor [afflicted, humble ones]?” declares the Lord [Adonay, a title of reverence] GOD [Yehovah] of Hosts [armies, a large group]. word study 16 The LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] also says: “Because the daughters [female children, women of] of Zion [Jerusalem, God’s holy city] are haughty [proud, arrogant, exulting]— walking [moving, going] with heads [necks, throats] held high [stretched out, lifted up] and wanton [flirtatious, ogling] eyes [sight, gaze], prancing [mincing, walking with short steps] and skipping [tripping, walking with quick steps] as they go [walk, move], jingling [making a tinkling sound, rattling] the bracelets [anklets, ornaments] on their ankles [feet, lower legs]— word study 17 the Lord [Adonay, the reverence-worthy One] will bring [to afflict, smite with] sores [scabs, lesions] on the heads [crown, scalp] of the daughters [female children, women] of Zion [Jerusalem, the city of God], and the LORD [Yehovah] will make [to uncover, lay bare] their foreheads [secret parts, private areas] bare [exposed, uncovered]. ” word study 18 In that day [before all time, from the very first, the day of the Lord] the Lord [Adonay, the supreme God] will take away [remove, turn aside] their finery [beauty, ornaments, tinkling jewelry]: their anklets [ankle bracelets, foot-rings] and headbands [cauls, hair netting] and crescents [round tires like the moon, moon-ornaments]; word study 19 their pendants [earrings, drops], bracelets [chains, wrist-bands], and veils [mufflers, long flowing veils]; word study 20 their headdresses [bonnets, fancy head-dresses], ankle chains [ornaments of the legs, bracelets], and sashes [headbands, ornamental girdles]; their perfume bottles [perfume boxes, containers for fragrance] and charms [amulets, whispers, or private prayers, used for protection or serpent charming]; word study 21 their signet rings [a ring or signet] and nose rings [jewels, nose ornaments, rings on the face]; word study 22 their festive [changeable, fine] robes [costly apparel, royal garments], capes [mantles, outer garments], cloaks [shawls, coverings], and purses [handbags, satchels]; word study 23 and their mirrors [hand-mirrors, looking-glasses], linen garments [fine linen, lawns], tiaras [turbans, head wraps], and shawls [veils, large pieces of fabric]. word study 24 Instead of [sweet perfume, fragrance] fragrance there will be a [rottenness, putrid smell] stench; instead of a [girdle, sash] belt, a [thick cord, rope] rope; instead of [curled, styled] styled hair, baldness [a bald spot]; instead of fine [beautiful] clothing [coarse, mourning], sackcloth; instead of [physical attractiveness, loveliness] beauty [disgrace, humiliation], shame. word study 25 Your men [husbands, grown males] will fall [be defeated, come to an end] by the sword [cutting instrument, weapon of war], and your warriors [mighty, valiant ones] in battle [war, conflict]. word study 26 And the gates [entrances, doorways] of Zion will lament [mourn, sorrow] and mourn [grieve, lament]; destitute [desolate, empty], she will sit [dwell, remain] on the ground [land, earth]. word study