3:1  See now, the Lord,
the LORD Almighty,
is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah
both supply and support:
all supplies of food and all supplies of water,

3:2  the hero and warrior,
the judge and prophet,
the soothsayer and elder,

3:3  the captain of fifty and man of rank,
the counselor, skilled craftsman and clever enchanter.

3:4  I will make boys their officials;
mere children will govern them.

3:5  People will oppress each other—
man against man, neighbor against neighbor.
The young will rise up against the old,
the base against the honorable.

3:6  A man will seize one of his brothers
at his father's home, and say,
"You have a cloak, you be our leader;
take charge of this heap of ruins!"

3:7  But in that day he will cry out,
"I have no remedy.
I have no food or clothing in my house;
do not make me the leader of the people."

3:8  Jerusalem staggers,
Judah is falling;
their words and deeds are against the LORD,
defying his glorious presence.

3:9  The look on their faces testifies against them;
they parade their sin like Sodom;
they do not hide it.
Woe to them!
They have brought disaster upon themselves.

3:10  Tell the righteous it will be well with them,
for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.

3:11  Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them!
They will be paid back for what their hands have done.

3:12  Youths oppress my people,
women rule over them.
O my people, your guides lead you astray;
they turn you from the path.

3:13  The LORD takes his place in court;
he rises to judge the people.

3:14  The LORD enters into judgment
against the elders and leaders of his people:
"It is you who have ruined my vineyard;
the plunder from the poor is in your houses.

3:15  What do you mean by crushing my people
and grinding the faces of the poor?"
declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty.

3:16  The LORD says,
"The women of Zion are haughty,
walking along with outstretched necks,
flirting with their eyes,
tripping along with mincing steps,
with ornaments jingling on their ankles.

3:17  Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion;
the LORD will make their scalps bald."

3:18  In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces,

3:19  the earrings and bracelets and veils,

3:20  the headdresses and ankle chains and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms,

3:21  the signet rings and nose rings,

3:22  the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses

3:23  and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls.

3:24  Instead of fragrance there will be a stench;
instead of a sash, a rope;
instead of well-dressed hair, baldness;
instead of fine clothing, sackcloth;
instead of beauty, branding.

3:25  Your men will fall by the sword,
your warriors in battle.

3:26  The gates of Zion will lament and mourn;
destitute, she will sit on the ground.