16 The Lord said:
(A)Because (B)the daughters of Zion are haughty
    and walk with outstretched necks,
    glancing wantonly with their eyes,
mincing along as they go,
    (C)tinkling with their feet,
17 therefore the Lord (D)will strike with a scab
    the heads of (E)the daughters of Zion,
    and the Lord will lay bare their secret parts.

18 In that day the Lord will take away (F)the finery of the anklets, the (G)headbands, and the (H)crescents; 19 the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves; 20 the (I)headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets; 21 the signet rings and (J)nose rings; 22 the (K)festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags; 23 the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the veils.

24 Instead of (L)perfume there will be rottenness;
    and instead of a (M)belt, a rope;
and instead of (N)well-set hair, (O)baldness;
    and instead of a rich robe, a (P)skirt of sackcloth;
    and (Q)branding instead of beauty.
25 Your men shall fall by the sword
    and your mighty men in battle.
26 And (R)her gates shall lament and mourn;
    empty, she shall (S)sit on the ground.

(T)And seven women (U)shall take hold of (V)one man in that day, saying, “We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; (W)take away our reproach.”

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.