1Ah, those who plan iniquityAnd design evil on their beds;When morning dawns, they do it,For they have the power.
2They covet fields, and seize them;Houses, and take them away.They defraud men of their homes,And people of their land.
3Assuredly, thus said GOD: I am planning such a misfortune against this clan that you will not be able to free your necks from it. You will not be able to walk erect; it will be such a time of disaster.
4In that day,One shall recite a poem about you,And utter a bitter lament,And shall say:“My people’s portion changes hands;How it slips away from me!Our field is allotted to a rebel.arebel Emendation yields “ravager.” We are utterly ravaged.”bMy people’s portion … ravaged Meaning of Heb. uncertain.
5Truly, none of youShall cast a lot cordccast a lot cord On a piece of land, thus acquiring title to it; cf. Josh. 18.6 and Ps. 16.6. In the assembly of GOD!
6“Stop preaching!” they preach.“That’s no way to preach;Shame shall not overtake [us].
7Is the House of Jacob condemned?dShame … condemned Meaning of Heb. uncertain. Is GOD’s patience short?Has such been the practice?”To be sure, My words are friendlyTo those who walk in rectitude;
8But an enemy arises againstean enemy arises against Meaning of Heb. uncertain; emendation yields “you arise as enemies against.” My people.You strip the mantle with the cloakfwith the cloak Meaning of Heb. uncertain; emendation yields “off peaceful folk.” Off such as pass unsuspecting,Who are turned away from war.gWho are turned away from war Meaning of Heb. uncertain.
9You drive the women of My people awayFrom their pleasant homes;You deprive their infantsOf My glory forever.
10Up and depart!This is no resting placeBecause of [your] defilement.Terrible destruction shall befall.hBecause of … befall Meaning of Heb. uncertain.
11If someone were to go about utteringWindy, baseless falsehoods:“I’ll preach to you in favor of wine and liquor”—That would be a preacher [acceptable] to this people.
12iThis verse and the next may offer another example of the “acceptable” preaching mentioned in v. 11. I will assemble Jacob, all of you;I will bring together the remnant of Israel;I will make them all like sheep of Bozrah,jof Bozrah Emendation yields “in a fold [Arabic sīrah].” Like a flock inside its penkpen Meaning of Heb. uncertain.—They will be noisy with people.
13One who makes a breachGoes before them;They enlarge it to a gateAnd leave by it.Their king marches before them,
GOD
at their head.