The Hebrew Prophets

On that day a man will take hold of his idols of silver and idols of gold, which they made for themselves to worship, and fling them away to the moles and bats!

Then they will enter the cracks in the rocks and the crevices in the cliffs to escape the terror of ADONAI and his glorious majesty, when he sets out to convulse the earth.

Stop relying on man, in whose nostrils is a mere breath - after all, he doesn't count for much, does he?

For see! The Lord, ADONAI-Tzva'ot, will remove from Yerushalayim and Y'hudah every kind of support all reserves of food and water;

heroes and warriors, judges and prophets, diviners and leaders,

captains of fifty, men of rank and advisers, skillful magicians and expert enchanters.

I will put children in authority; capriciousness will govern them.

People will oppress each other - everyone his friend, everyone his neighbor. The young will be insolent toward their elders, the insignificant arrogant toward the respected.

A man will take hold of his brother in his father's house and say, "You have a coat, so rule us! Take charge of this ruin!"

But on that day, he will protest, "I don't have a remedy, I lack food and clothing for my own house; don't put me in charge of people!"

For Yerushalayim is ruined, and Y'hudah has fallen; because their words and deeds defy ADONAI, in open provocation of his glory.

Their very look witnesses against them! They parade their sin, like S'dom; they don't even try to hide it - all the worse for them! - they bring evil on themselves.

Say that it will go well with the righteous, that they will enjoy the fruit of their actions;

but woe to the wicked, it will go badly with him; for what he has done will be done to him.

My people - children oppress them, and women are ruling over them. My people! Your guides lead you astray and obliterate the paths you should follow.

ADONAI rises to accuse, he stands to judge the peoples.

ADONAI presents the indictment against the leaders and officers of his people: "It is you who devour the vineyard; in your houses is plunder taken from the poor.

What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding down the faces of the poor?" says Adonai ELOHIM-Tzva'ot.

Moreover ADONAI says: "Because Tziyon's women are so proud, walking with their heads in the air and throwing seductive glances, moving with mincing steps and jingling their anklets

Adonai will strike the crown of the heads of Tziyon's women with sores, and ADONAI will expose their private parts."

On that day Adonai will take away their finery - their anklets, medallions and crescents,

their pendants, bracelets and veils;

their headbands, armlets, sashes, perfume bottles, amulets,

rings and nose-jewels;

their fine dresses, wraps, shawls, handbags,