1 Woe to the filthy, polluted city, the city of oppression!
2 She heeds no voice and takes no correction; she puts no trust in the LORD and does not come near to her God.
3 Inside her, her princes are lions that roar; her judges are wolves at dusk that keep no bones for the morning.
4 Her prophets are arrogant, men of treachery; her priests defile the holy things and twist the law with violence.
5 Yet in her midst is the LORD, who is righteous and does nothing wrong; morning by morning he brings his justice into the light, never failing; but the wrongdoer has no sense of shame.
6 I have wiped out nations; their towers stand in ruins; I have emptied their streets until nobody passes through; their cities lie wasted, without a soul, with no one living there.
7 I thought, "Surely now you will fear me and take correction; then her dwelling will not be cut off, despite all I have brought on her." But they only got up early to make all their doings corrupt.
8 So wait for me, declares the LORD, for the day I rise up to plunder; for I have resolved to gather the nations and bring the kingdoms together, to pour on them my indignation, the full heat of my anger; the whole earth will be consumed by the fire of my jealousy.
9 Then I will give the peoples purified lips, so that every one of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder.
10 From the far side of the rivers of Cush those who pray to me, my scattered daughter, will bring me offerings.
11 When that day comes, you will feel no shame for all the deeds by which you rebelled against me, for I will take away from among you those who gloat in their pride, and you will never again be arrogant on my holy mountain.
12 I will leave within you a poor and humble people, and they will find refuge in the name of the LORD.
13 The remnant of Israel will commit no wrong and tell no lies; no deceitful tongue will be found in their mouths. They will feed and rest, and no one will disturb them.
14 Sing out, daughter of Zion! Shout, Israel! Be happy and celebrate with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem!
15 The LORD has revoked your sentence and turned your enemy away. The King of Israel, the LORD, is among you; you need fear disaster no more.
16 In that day Jerusalem will be told, "Have no fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.
17 The LORD your God is among you, a mighty one who brings victory; he will delight in you with gladness; he will be quiet in his love; he will celebrate over you with shouts of joy."
18 I will gather those who grieve for the appointed feasts, who were of you; the reproach is a burden on her.
19 Look, I am going to deal with all who oppressed you at that time; I will rescue the limping and bring home the outcast, and I will give them praise and a name in every land where they were shamed.
20 At that time I will bring you home; at that time I will gather you; for I will give you a name and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes, says the LORD.