Woe to the Rebellious City
Jerusalem is charged with refusing correction, her officials and prophets predatory. Then the tone turns entirely: purified lips, a humble remnant, and our Father in her midst as a warrior who saves — quieting her with his love and singing over her.
3 1Woe to this rebellious, defiled city—the oppressor! 2She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in our Father; she does not draw near to her Father.
3Her officials within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that devour everything before morning. 4Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy and twist the law. 5Our 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." 7I 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"So wait for me,' our Father declares, 'until the day I rise as a witness. For my decision is to gather the nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour my indignation on them, all my burning anger; for the fire of my jealousy will consume the whole earth.'
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. 10From 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. 11On 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. 12But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly, and they will take refuge in my name. 13The 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."
14Sing aloud, daughter of Zion; shout, Israel! Rejoice and shout for joy with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem! 15Our 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. 16On that day it will be said to Jerusalem: "Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak.
17Your 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.
18I will gather those of yours who mourn—those kept away from the appointed feasts—for they have been a reproach and a burden upon Jerusalem. 19At 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. 20At 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.
