2 Gather together,^(A) gather yourselves together,
    you shameful^(B) nation,
² before the decree takes effect
    and that day passes like windblown chaff,^(C)
before the Lord’s fierce anger^(D)
    comes upon you,
before the day of the Lord’s wrath^(E)
    comes upon you.
³ Seek^(F) the Lord, all you humble of the land,
    you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness,^(G) seek humility;^(H)
    perhaps you will be sheltered^(I)
    on the day of the Lord’s anger.

3 Woe to the city of oppressors,^(A)
    rebellious^(B) and defiled!^(C)
2 She obeys^(D) no one,
    she accepts no correction.^(E)
She does not trust^(F) in the Lord,
    she does not draw near^(G) to her God.
³ Her officials within her
    are roaring lions;^(H)
her rulers are evening wolves,^(I)
    who leave nothing for the morning.^(J)
4 Her prophets are unprincipled;
    they are treacherous people.^(K)
Her priests profane the sanctuary
    and do violence to the law.^(L)
5 The Lord within her is righteous;^(M)
    he does no wrong.^(N)
Morning by morning^(O) he dispenses his justice,
    and every new day he does not fail,^(P)
    yet the unrighteous know no shame.^(Q)

⁶ “I have destroyed nations;
    their strongholds are demolished.
I have left their streets deserted,
    with no one passing through.
Their cities are laid waste;^(R)
    they are deserted and empty.
⁷ Of Jerusalem I thought,
    ‘Surely you will fear me
    and accept correction!’^(S)
Then her place of refuge^[a] would not be destroyed,
    nor all my punishments come upon^[b] her.
But they were still eager
    to act corruptly^(T) in all they did.