6. At that time a man will grab one of his brothersfrom his own family and say,“You have a coat. So you will be our leader.You will be the leader over all these ruins.”
7. But that brother will stand up and say,“I cannot help you.I do not have food or clothes in my house.You will not make me your leader.”
8. This will happen because Jerusalem has stumbledand Judah has fallen.The things they say and do are against the Lord.They sin openly against the Lord.
9. The look on their faces shows they are guilty of doing wrong.Like the people of Sodom, they are proud of their sin.They don’t care who sees it.How terrible it will be for them!They have brought much trouble to themselves.
10. Tell the good people that good things will happen to them.They will receive a reward for the good they do.
11. But how terrible it will be for wicked people!They will be punished for all the wrong they have done.
12. Children treat my people cruelly.Women rule over them.My people, your guides lead you in the wrong way.They turn you away from what is right.
13. The Lord takes his place in court.He stands to judge the people.
14. The Lord presents his caseagainst the elders and other leaders of his people.He says, “You have burned my vineyard.Your houses are full of what you took from the poor.
15. What gives you the right to crush my people?How can you grind the faces of the poor into the dirt?”The Master, the Lord of heaven’s armies, said this.
16. The Lord says,“The women of Jerusalem are proud.They walk around with their heads held high.They flirt with their eyes.They take quick, short steps,making noise with their ankle bracelets.”