4. “I will make youths their leaders, and the unstable will govern them.”
5. The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor;the youth will act arrogantly toward the elder,and the worthless toward the honorable.
6. A man will even seize his brotherin his father’s house, saying:“You have a cloak — you be our leader!This heap of rubble will be under your control.”
7. On that day he will cry out, saying:“I’m not a healer.I don’t even have food or clothing in my house.Don’t make me the leader of the people! ”
8. For Jerusalem has stumbledand Judah has fallenbecause they have spoken and acted against the Lord, defying His glorious presence.
9. The look on their faces testifies against them,and like Sodom, they flaunt their sin.They do not conceal it.Woe to them,for they have brought evil on themselves.
10. Tell the righteous that it will go well for them,for they will eat the fruit of their labor.
11. Woe to the wicked — it will go badly for them,for what they have done will be done to them.
12. Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them.My people, your leaders mislead you;they confuse the direction of your paths.
13. The Lord rises to argue the caseand stands to judge the people.
14. The Lord brings this chargeagainst the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devastated the vineyard.The plunder from the poor is in your houses.
15. Why do you crush My peopleand grind the faces of the poor? ”This is the declarationof the Lord God of Hosts.
16. The Lord also says:Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, walking with heads held highand seductive eyes,going along with prancing steps,jingling their ankle bracelets,
17. the Lord will put scabs on the headsof the daughters of Zion,and the Lord will shave their foreheads bare.