Woe to the Complacent

Woe to those who are at ease in Zion(A)
and to those who feel secure on the hill of Samaria—
the notable people in this first of the nations,
those the house of Israel comes to.
Cross over to Calneh(B) and see;
go from there to great Hamath;(C)
then go down to Gath(D) of the Philistines.
Are you better than these kingdoms?
Is their territory larger than yours?
You dismiss any thought of the evil day(E)
and bring in a reign of violence.(F)

They lie on beds inlaid with ivory,(G)
sprawled out on their couches,(H)
and dine on lambs from the flock(I)
and calves from the stall.
They improvise songs[a] to the sound of the harp(J)
and invent[b] their own musical instruments like David.(K)
They drink wine by the bowlful(L)
and anoint themselves with the finest oils
but do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.(M)
Therefore, they will now go into exile
as the first of the captives,(N)
and the feasting(O) of those who sprawl out
will come to an end.

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Footnotes

  1. 6:5 Hb obscure
  2. 6:5 Or compose on

What sorrow awaits you who lounge in luxury in Jerusalem,[a]
    and you who feel secure in Samaria!
You are famous and popular in Israel,
    and people go to you for help.
But go over to Calneh
    and see what happened there.
Then go to the great city of Hamath
    and down to the Philistine city of Gath.
You are no better than they were,
    and look at how they were destroyed.
You push away every thought of coming disaster,
    but your actions only bring the day of judgment closer.
How terrible for you who sprawl on ivory beds
    and lounge on your couches,
eating the meat of tender lambs from the flock
    and of choice calves fattened in the stall.
You sing trivial songs to the sound of the harp
    and fancy yourselves to be great musicians like David.
You drink wine by the bowlful
    and perfume yourselves with fragrant lotions.
    You care nothing about the ruin of your nation.[b]
Therefore, you will be the first to be led away as captives.
    Suddenly, all your parties will end.

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Footnotes

  1. 6:1 Hebrew in Zion.
  2. 6:6 Hebrew of Joseph.