The Capital Cities of Israel and Judah Destroyed

Listen, all you people! Pay attention, earth and all who are on it. Adonay Yahweh will be a witness against you. Adonay will be a witness from his holy temple.

All this is because of Jacob’s crime and Israel’s sin. What is Jacob’s crime? Isn’t it Samaria? What is Judah’s worship place? Isn’t it Jerusalem?

Harness the horses to the chariots, inhabitants of Lachish. You were the first to lead the people of Zion into sin. The rebellious acts of Israel are found in you.

That is why you will give farewell gifts to Moresheth Gath. The town of Achzib will betray the kings of Israel.

I will again bring a conqueror against the inhabitants of Mareshah. The glory of Israel will come to Adullam.

Israel’s Sins Are Condemned

How horrible it will be for those who invent trouble and work out plans for disaster while in bed. When the morning dawns, they carry out their plans because they are able to.

Israel Will Be Gathered Again by the Lord

I will surely gather all of you, Jacob. I will surely bring together the few people left in Israel. I will gather them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture. They will make a lot of noise because there will be so many people.

Israel’s Sinful Leaders—Rulers, Prophets, and Priests

Then I said: Listen, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the nation of Israel. You should know justice.

But I am filled with the power of Ruach Yahweh, with justice, and with strength. So I will tell the descendants of Jacob about their crimes and the nation of Israel about its sins.

Listen to this, you leaders of the descendants of Jacob, you rulers of the nation of Israel. You despise justice and pervert everything that is right.

Now, gather your troops, you city of troops. We are under attack. Enemies will strike the judge of Israel on the cheek with a stick.

The Lord’s Leader for Israel

You, Bethlehem Ephrathah, are too small to be included among Judah’s cities. Yet, from you Israel’s future ruler will come for me. His origins go back to the distant past, to days long ago.

That is why Yahweh will abandon Israel until the time a mother has a child. Then the rest of Yahweh’s people will return to the people of Israel.

Listen to Yahweh’s lawsuit, you mountains. Listen, you strong foundations of the earth. Yahweh has filed a lawsuit against his people. He is arguing his case against Israel.