1 Woe to the rebellious {more’ah: spurning correction} and defiled {nig’alah: cultic impurity} city, the oppressing one.
2 She did not listen to the voice; she did not receive discipline {musar: moral instruction}; she did not trust in the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Judge}; she did not draw near to her God.
3 Her princes {sareha: regal officials} within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they leave {garmu: devour entirely} no bones until morning.
4 Her prophets are reckless men of treachery {bogdot: betrayal}, and her priests have profaned holiness {kodesh: sanctity}; they have done violence to the law.
5 The LORD {YHWH, Righteous Judge} is righteous in her midst; He does not commit injustice. Morning by morning He brings forth His judgment into the light; He does not fail. But the wrongdoer {avval: immoral actor} knows no shame.
6 I {YHWH, Sovereign Judge} have cut off nations; their corners are desolate. I have laid waste their streets {chutzotam: outer roads} so that none passes through; their cities are destroyed, without a man, without an inhabitant.
7 I said, “Surely you will fear Me {YHWH, Righteous Judge} and accept discipline {musar: corrective instruction}. Then your dwelling would not be cut off according to all that I appointed against you. But truly, they rose early and corrupted all their deeds.”
8 "Therefore wait for Me," declares the LORD {YHWH, Righteous Judge}, "for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For My judgment {mishpati: binding decree} is to gather the nations, to assemble the kingdoms, to pour out upon them My indignation, all the burning of My anger; for in the fire of My jealousy all the earth shall be consumed."
9 For then I will turn the peoples to a pure speech, so that all may call on the name of the LORD {YHWH, Uniting Sovereign} and serve Him with one accord {shekhem: unified service}.
10 From beyond the rivers of Cush, My {YHWH, Restoring Sovereign} supplicants {atarai: earnest intercessors}, the daughter of My dispersed, will bring My offering.
11 In that day you will not be ashamed because of all your deeds by which you have transgressed {pasha'at: rebellious deed} against Me {YHWH, Righteous Judge}, for then I will remove from your midst those who rejoice in your pride, and you will no longer be haughty on My holy mountain.
12 And I will leave in your midst a people afflicted {ani: the oppressed} and poor, and they shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD {YHWH, Remnant Preserver}.
13 The remnant {she'erit: Faithful Survivors} of Israel will do no injustice {avlah: Moral Wrongdoing}, will speak no lies, and no deceitful tongue will be found in their mouth; for they will graze and lie down, and none will terrify them.
14 Sing out, O daughter of Zion {tsiyon: stronghold}; raise a shout, O Israel; let your whole heart rejoice and triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem {yerushalayim: city of peace}.
15 The LORD {YHWH, Righteous Judge} has lifted away the judgments {mishpatayikh: legal penalties} against you; He has driven off your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you will not fear evil any longer.
16 On that day it will be said to Jerusalem {liyerushalayim: city of peace}, “Do not be afraid; O Zion, do not let your hands {yadayikh: instruments of action} hang limp.”
17 The LORD your God {YHWH Elohayikh, Saving Warrior} is in your midst, a mighty one who saves. He will delight over you with joy {simchah: celebration}; in His love He will quiet you; He will rejoice over you with singing.
18 I {YHWH, Restorer of Honor} have gathered the mourners for the appointed festival from among you. They were a burden of reproach {kherpah: shameful stigma} upon her.
19 Behold, I {YHWH, Consummate Restorer} will act against all your oppressors at that time; I will save the one limping {hatsoleah: injured} and gather the banished, and make them a praise and a name in every land where they were put to shame.
20 At that time I will bring you in; yes, at the time I 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 eyes {le-einekhem: public vindication}, says the LORD {YHWH, Restorer of Fortunes}.