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.
14. He judges the elders and leaders of his people. He says to them, "My people are like a vineyard. You have destroyed them. The things you have taken from poor people are in your houses.
15. What do you mean by crushing my people? Why are you grinding the faces of the poor into the dirt?" announces the Lord. He is the Lord who rules over all.