1. Here is what the Lord who rules over all is about to do. The Lord will take away from Jerusalem and Judah supplies and help alike. He will take away all of the supplies of food and water.
2. He'll take away heroes and soldiers. He'll take away judges and prophets. He'll take away fortune tellers and elders.
3. He'll take away captains of companies of 50 men. He'll take away government leaders. He'll take away advisers, skilled workers and those who are clever at doing evil magic.
4. The Lord will make young boys rule over all of them. Mere children will govern them.
5. People will crush one another. They will fight against each other. They will fight against their neighbors. Young people will attack old people. Ordinary people will attack those who are more important.
6. A man will grab hold of one of his brothers at his father's home. He will say, "You have a coat. So you be our leader. Take charge of all of these broken-down buildings!"
7. But at that time the brother will cry out, "I can't help you. I don't have any food or clothing in my house. Don't make me the leader of these people."
8. Jerusalem is about to fall. And so is Judah. They say and do things against the Lord. They dare to disobey him to his very face.
9. The look on their faces is a witness against them. They show off their sin, just as the people of Sodom did. They don't even try to hide it. How terrible it will be for them! They have brought trouble on themselves.
10. Tell those who do what is right that things will go well with them. They will enjoy the results of the good things they've done.
11. But how terrible it will be for those who do what is evil! Trouble is about to fall on them. They will be paid back for the evil things they've done.
12. Those who are young crush my people. Women rule over them. My people, your leaders have taken you down the wrong path. They have turned you away from the right path.
13. The Lord takes his place in court. He stands up to judge the people.