Isaiah 3:1-7

New International Reader's Version

The Lord Will Judge Jerusalem and Judah

3 Here is what
    the Lord who rules over all is about to do.
The Lord will take away from Jerusalem and Judah
    supplies and help alike.
He will take away all the supplies of food and water.
²    He’ll take away heroes and soldiers.
He’ll take away judges and prophets.
    He’ll take away fortune tellers and elders.
³He’ll take away captains of groups of 50 men.
    He’ll take away government leaders.
He’ll take away advisers, skilled workers
    and those who are clever at doing evil magic.

⁴The Lord will make mere youths their leaders.
    Children will rule over them.
⁵People will treat one another badly.
    They will fight against one another.
    They will fight against their neighbors.
Young people will attack old people.
    Ordinary people will attack those who are more important.

⁶A man will grab one of his brothers
    in his father’s house. He will say,
“You have a coat. So you be our leader.
    Take charge of all these broken-down buildings!”
⁷But at that time the brother will cry out,
    “I can’t help you.
I don’t have any food or clothing in my house.
    Don’t make me the leader of these people.”