Text Bible Reading
Isaiah 3 (NIV)
- 1
See now, the Lord, the Lord Almighty, is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: all supplies of food and all supplies of water,
- 2
the hero and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder,
- 3
the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor, skilled craftsman and clever enchanter.
- 4
“I will make mere youths their officials; children will rule over them.”
- 5
People will oppress each other— man against man, neighbor against neighbor. The young will rise up against the old, the nobody against the honored.
- 6
A man will seize one of his brothers in his father’s house, and say, “You have a cloak, you be our leader; take charge of this heap of ruins!”
- 7
But in that day he will cry out, “I have no remedy. I have no food or clothing in my house; do not make me the leader of the people.”
- 8
Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the Lord , defying his glorious presence.
- 9
The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves.
- 10
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.
- 11
Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.
- 12
Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path.
- 13
The Lord takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people.
- 14
The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: “It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses.
- 15
What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.
- 16
The Lord says, “The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, strutting along with swaying hips, with ornaments jingling on their ankles.
- 17
Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the Lord will make their scalps bald.”
- 18
In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces,
- 19
the earrings and bracelets and veils,
- 20
the headdresses and anklets and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms,
- 21
the signet rings and nose rings,
- 22
the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses
- 23
and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls.
- 24
Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-dressed hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding.
- 25
Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle.
- 26
The gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.
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Isaiah Chapter 3 complete.
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