Judah’s Women Denounced

16 Moreover, the Lord said, “Because the (A)daughters of Zion are haughty
And walk with [a]heads held high and seductive eyes,
And go along with mincing steps
And jingle the anklets on their feet,
17 The Lord will afflict the scalp of the daughters of Zion with scabs,
And the Lord will make their foreheads bare.”

18 On that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, headbands, (B)crescent ornaments, 19 dangling earrings, bracelets, veils, 20 (C)headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, perfume boxes, amulets, 21 [b]finger rings, (D)nose rings, 22 festive robes, outer garments, shawls, purses, 23 papyrus garments, undergarments, headbands, and veils.

24 Now it will come about that instead of (E)balsam oil there will be a stench;
Instead of a belt, a rope;
Instead of (F)well-set hair, a (G)plucked-out scalp;
Instead of fine clothes, a (H)robe of sackcloth;
And branding instead of beauty.
25 Your men will (I)fall by the sword
And your [c]mighty ones in battle.
26 And her [d](J)gates will lament and mourn,
And she will (K)sit deserted on the ground.

A Remnant Prepared

For seven women will take hold of (L)one man on that day, saying, “We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; (M)take away our disgrace!”

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 3:16 Lit outstretched necks
  2. Isaiah 3:21 Or signet rings
  3. Isaiah 3:25 Lit strength
  4. Isaiah 3:26 Lit entrances

A Warning to Jerusalem

16 The Lord says, “Beautiful Zion[a] is haughty:
craning her elegant neck,
    flirting with her eyes,
walking with dainty steps,
    tinkling her ankle bracelets.
17 So the Lord will send scabs on her head;
    the Lord will make beautiful Zion bald.”

18 On that day of judgment
    the Lord will strip away everything that makes her beautiful:
ornaments, headbands, crescent necklaces,
19     earrings, bracelets, and veils;
20 scarves, ankle bracelets, sashes,
    perfumes, and charms;
21 rings, jewels,
22     party clothes, gowns, capes, and purses;
23 mirrors, fine linen garments,
    head ornaments, and shawls.

24 Instead of smelling of sweet perfume, she will stink.
    She will wear a rope for a sash,
    and her elegant hair will fall out.
She will wear rough burlap instead of rich robes.
    Shame will replace her beauty.[b]
25 The men of the city will be killed with the sword,
    and her warriors will die in battle.
26 The gates of Zion will weep and mourn.
    The city will be like a ravaged woman,
    huddled on the ground.

In that day so few men will be left that seven women will fight for each man, saying, “Let us all marry you! We will provide our own food and clothing. Only let us take your name so we won’t be mocked as old maids.”

Footnotes

  1. 3:16 Or The women of Zion (with corresponding changes to plural forms through verse 24); Hebrew reads The daughters of Zion; also in 3:17.
  2. 3:24 As in Dead Sea Scrolls; Masoretic Text reads robes / because instead of beauty.