1 ¶ Woe to the city that is filthy and defiled, the tyrannical city!

2 She did not obey the word; she would not accept correction; she does not trust in the LORD; or draw near to her God.

3 Her officials are roaring lions within her; her judges are wolves of the night; they leave nothing to gnaw on in the morning.

4 Her prophets are reckless and treacherous men: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

5 But the LORD within her is righteous; he does no wrong: every morning without fail, he brings judgement to the land; but the wicked feel no shame.

6 I have cut down the nations: their towers are destroyed; I laid waist to their streets, so that no one walks through them: their cities are destroyed, without anyone in them, no one lives there.

7 I said, Surely you will fear me, you will accept my instruction; so your home is not destroyed, but no matter how I punished them: they were quick to do even worse.

8 ¶ Therefore, the LORD says, Wait for me, wait until the time when I rise up to judge: for I have determined to gather the nations, to assemble the kingdoms, to pour my fury, and all my fierce anger, upon them: for the entire earth will be consumed by the fire of my jealousy.

9 For then I will change the people so they can speak with pure lips, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, and serve him with one accord.

10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia those who pray to me, the daughter of my scattered people, will bring an offering to me.

11 At that time you will not have to be ashamed of everything you have done, in rebelling against me: for I will remove those who rejoice in their pride from your midst, and you will never again act proudly on my holy mountain.

12 I will also leave an afflicted and poor people among you, and they will trust in the name of the LORD.

13 Those who remain of Israel will not do evil, or speak lies; nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they will feed and lie down, and no one will make them afraid.

14 ¶ Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

15 The LORD has taken away your condemnation, he has cast out your enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of you: you will not suffer evil any more.

16 At that time it will be said to Jerusalem, Do not be afraid: and to Zion, Do not let your hands grow weak.

17 The LORD your God in the midst of you is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will refresh you with his love, he will delight in you with singing.

18 I will gather those who are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, those of you who have borne the burden of reproach.

19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all who mistreat you: and I will save the lame, and gather those who were driven out; and I will make them a people who are praised and honored in every land where they have been put to shame.

20 At the time when I gather you, I will bring you home: for I will make you famous and praiseworthy among all the people of the earth, when I reverse your captivity before your eyes, says the LORD.