To men in power

1Woe to those who devise wickedness

and work evil upon their beds!

When the morning dawns, they perform it,

because it is in the power of their hand.

2They covet fields, and seize them;

and houses, and take them away;

they oppress a man and his house,

a man and his inheritance.

3Therefore thus says the LORD:

Behold, against this family I am devising evil,

from which you cannot remove your necks;

and you shall not walk haughtily,

for it will be an evil time.

4In that day they shall take up a taunt song against you,

and wail with bitter lamentation,

and say, “We are utterly ruined;

he changes the portion of my people;

how he removes it from me!

Among our captors2.4 Cn: Heb the rebellious he divides our fields.”

5Therefore you will have none to cast the line by lot

in the assembly of the LORD.

6“Do not preach” — thus they preach —

“one should not preach of such things;

disgrace will not overtake us.”

7Should this be said, O house of Jacob?

Is the Spirit of the LORD impatient?

Are these his doings?

Do not my words do good

to him who walks uprightly?

8But you rise against my people2.8 Cn: Heb yesterday my people rose as an enemy;

you strip the robe from the peaceful,2.8 Cn: Heb from before a garment

from those who pass by trustingly

with no thought of war.

9The women of my people you drive out

from their pleasant houses;

from their young children you take away

my glory for ever.

10Arise and go,

for this is no place to rest;

because of uncleanness that destroys

with a grievous destruction.

11If a man should go about and utter wind and lies,

saying, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,”

he would be the preacher for this people!

12I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob,

I will gather the remnant of Israel;

I will set them together

like a sheep in a fold,

like a flock in its pasture,

a noisy multitude of men.

13He who opens the breach will go up before them;

they will break through and pass the gate,

going out by it.

Their king will pass on before them,

the LORD at their head.