1. I am upset because I am like fruit that has been gathered, like grapes that have already been picked. There are no grapes left to eat. There are none of the early figs that I love.
2. By this I mean that all the faithful people are gone. There are no good people left. Everyone is planning to kill someone. Everyone is trying to trap their brother.
3. People are good at doing bad things with both hands. Officials ask for bribes. Judges take money to change their decisions in court. “Important leaders” do whatever they want to do.
4. Even the best of them is as crooked as a tangled thornbush. Your prophets said this day would come, and the day of your watchmen has come. Now you will be punished. Now you will be confused!
5. Don’t trust your neighbor or trust a friend! Don’t even speak freely with your wife.
6. Your enemies will be the people in your own house. A son will not honor his father. A daughter will turn against her mother. A daughter-in-law will turn against her mother-in-law.
7. So I will look to the Lord for help. I will wait for God to save me. My God will hear me.
8. I have fallen, but enemy, don’t laugh at me! I will get up again. I sit in darkness now, but the Lord will be a light for me.