1. For behold! The Lord, Adonai-Tzva’ot, takes from Jerusalem and from Judah supply and support, every supply of bread and every supply of water,
2. mighty man and man of war, judge, and prophet, fortune-teller and elder,
3. captain of 50 and man of rank, counselor, crafty magician and cunning charmer.
4. I will set children as their rulers. Capricious ones will govern them.
5. The people will oppress one another— each one by his fellow, each one by his neighbor. The child will be insolent to the aged, and dishonorable to the honorable.
6. When a man takes hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying: “You have a cloak, you be our ruler! This ruin is under your charge.”
7. In that day he will protest, saying: “I’m no healer! In my house is no bread or cloak. Don’t make me a ruler of people!”
8. For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah is fallen. For their tongue and their actions are against Adonai, defying the eyes of His glory.
9. The expression of their faces bears witness against them. They display their sin like Sodom— they do not hide it. Oy , their souls! For they brought evil on themselves.
10. Say to the righteous, he will be well, eating the fruit of their deeds.
11. Oy , the wicked! It will be bad for him, for the dealing of his hands will be done to him.
12. My people! Children are their oppressors and women rule over them. My people! Your guides mislead you and destroy the way of your paths.