1Woe, woe is me, for I have become like a field after harvest, like a vineyard after gathering; not a cluster of grapes to eat, not a fig that anyone desires.
2The honest have perished from the land, of the upright among people there is none. All of them lie in wait to shed blood. They hunt one another with the net.
3Their hands know well how to do evil, the officer and judge demands a bribe, the high official decides as he pleases and they conspire to pervert justice.
4The best of them are like a thorn thicket, their most upright like a prickly hedge. The day of their punishment has come, now will be their confusion!
5Do not trust your neighbour, do not rely on a friend. From the wife who lies in your arms guard your tongue.
6For son insults father, daughter rises up against mother, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law, a man’s enemies are the people of his own household. Zion’s Ultimate Vindication and Exaltation
7But I will look to the Lord , I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me!
8Do not rejoice over me, my enemy. If I have fallen, I will rise. If I sit in darkness, the Lord is my light.
9The anger of the Lord I will bear, for against him have I sinned – until he champions my cause and gives judgment for me. He will bring me into to the light, I will see his justice.
10So my enemy will see, and shame will cover them, they who said, ‘Where is the Lord your God?’ I will look upon them, they will be trampled on like mud in the street!
11It is a day for rebuilding your walls, this day will your boundary will be extended.
12This day they will come to you, from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, and from Egypt even to the Euphrates River, from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.
13Though the land has become a desolation because of its inhabitants, because of their deeds.
14Shepherd your flock with your staff, the flock that belong to you, who live alone in the forest, in the midst of meadows; so that they may pasture in Bashon and Gilead as in the days of old,
15as in the days when you came from Egypt, gave us wonders to see.
16Nations will see and be ashamed of all their might; they will put their hands to their mouth, their ears will become deaf,
17they will lick the dust like snakes, like creatures that crawl on the earth; they will come trembling and in terror from their hiding places, in dread and fear.
18Who is a God like you, forgiving iniquity and passing by the rebellion of the remnant of your people? He does not retain his anger forever, but is one who delights in mercy.
19He will tread under foot our iniquity; you will cast into the depths of the sea all our iniquities.
20You will show faithfulness to Jacob, and loving kindness to Abraham, as you have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old.