3:1 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
3:2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God.
3:3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
3:4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons; her priests have polluted the sanctuary; they have done violence to the law.
3:5 The just Lord is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity; every morning doth he bring his judgment to light; he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
3:6 I have cut off the nations; their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by; their cities are destroyed so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.
3:7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me; thou wilt receive instruction so their dwelling should not be cut off howsoever I punished them. But they rose early and corrupted all their doings.
3:8 Therefore, wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.
3:10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
3:11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me; for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride; and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.
3:12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.
3:13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
3:14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
3:15 The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy; the King of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee; thou shalt not see evil any more.
3:16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not; and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
3:17 The Lord, thy God, in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save; he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing.
3:18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
3:19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee; and I will save her that halteth and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
3:20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you; for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord.