3. So now, residents of Jerusalemand men of Judah,please judge between Meand My vineyard.
4. What more could I have done for My vineyardthan I did? Why, when I expected a yield of good grapes,did it yield worthless grapes?
5. Now I will tell youwhat I am about to do to My vineyard:I will remove its hedge, and it will be consumed;I will tear down its wall, and it will be trampled.
6. I will make it a wasteland. It will not be pruned or weeded;thorns and briers will grow up. I will also give orders to the cloudsthat rain should not fall on it.
7. For the vineyard of the Lord of Hostsis the house of Israel, and the men of Judah,the plant He delighted in.He looked for justicebut saw injustice,for righteousness,but heard cries of wretchedness.
8. Woe to those who add house to house and join field to fielduntil there is no more roomand you alone are left in the land.
9. I heard the Lord of Hosts say:Indeed, many houses will become desolate,grand and lovely ones without inhabitants.
10. For a ten-acre vineyard will yieldonly six gallons, and 10 bushels of seed will yieldonly one bushel.
11. Woe to those who rise early in the morningin pursuit of beer, who linger into the evening,inflamed by wine.
12. At their feasts they have lyre, harp,tambourine, flute, and wine.They do not perceive the Lord’s actions, and they do not see the work of His hands.
13. Therefore My people will go into exilebecause they lack knowledge; her dignitaries are starving,and her masses are parched with thirst.
14. Therefore Sheol enlarges its throatand opens wide its enormous jaws, and down go Zion’s dignitaries, her masses,her crowds, and those who carouse in her!
15. Humanity is brought low, man is humbled,and haughty eyes are humbled.
16. But the Lord of Hosts is exalted by His justice, and the holy God is distinguished by righteousness.