1Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!

2She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.

3Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.

4Her prophets are light and  treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

5The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.

6I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.

7I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.

8Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

9For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

11In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.

12I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

13The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

14Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

15The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.

16In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.

17The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

18I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, whoare of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.

19Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.

20At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD

1 Woe to her that is filthie and polluted, to the oppressing citie.

2 She obeyed not the voice: she receiued not correction: she trusted not in the Lord: she drew not neere to her God.

3 Her princes within her are roaring lyons; her Iudges are euening wolues, they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.

4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests haue polluted the Sanctuarie, they haue done violence to the Law.

5 The iust Lord is in the middest thereof: he will not doe iniquitie: euery morning doeth hee bring his iudgement to light, he faileth not: but the vniust knoweth no shame.

6 I haue cut off the nations: their towres are desolate, I made their streetes waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroied, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.

7 I said, Surely thou wilt feare mee: thou wilt receiue instruction: so their dwelling should not bee cut off, howsoeuer I punished them: but they rose early, & corrupted all their doings.

8 Therefore waite ye vpon mee, sayth the Lord, vntill the day that I rise vp to the pray: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdomes to powre vpon them mine indignation, euen all my fierce anger: for all the earth shalbe deuoured with the fire of my iealousie.

9 For then will I turne to the people a pure language, that they may all call vpon the Name of the Lord, to serue him with one consent.

10 From beyond the riuers of Ethiopia, my suppliants, euen the daughter of my dispersed shal bring mine offring.

11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that reioyce in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of mine holy mountaine.

12 I will also leaue in the middest of thee an afflicted and poore people: and they shall trust in the Name of the Lord.

13 The remnant of Israel shall not doe iniquitie, nor speake lies: neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feede, and lie downe, and none shall make them afraid.

14 Sing, O daughter of Zion: shout, O Israel: be glad and reioyce with all the heart, O daughter of Ierusalem.

15 The Lord hath taken away thy iudgements, he hath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, euen the Lord is in the middest of thee: thou shalt not see euill any more.

16 In that day it shall be said to Ierusalem, Feare thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slacke.

17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mightie: hee will saue, he will reioyce ouer thee with ioy: hee will rest in his loue, hee will ioy ouer thee with singing.

18 I will gather them that are sorrowfull for the solemne assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproch of it was a burden.

19 Behold, at that time I will vndoe all that afflict thee, and I will saue her that halteth, and gather her that was driuen out, and I will get them praise and fame in euery land, where they haue beene put to shame.

20 At that time will I bring you againe euen in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turne backe your captiuitie before your eyes, saith the Lord

 

II == Jer 5:3 ; 22:21

 

 

III == Ezek 22:27 ; Mic 3:9-11 ; Hab 1:8

 

IV == Jer 23:11 , 32 ; Hos 9:7

 

V == Deut 32:4 ; Lam 3:22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VII == Gen 6:12 ; Jer 8:6

 

 

 

VIII == Joel 3:2 ; Zeph 1:18

 

 

 

 

IX == Isa 19:18

 

 

 

 

 

 

XI == Jer 7:4 ; Mic 3:11 ; Matt 3:9

 

 

 

XII == Isa 14:32 ; Zech 11:11 ; Matt 5:3 ; James 2:5

 

XIII == Isa 60:21 ; 63:8 ; Rev 14:5

 

 

XIV == Isa 12:6 ; 54:1 ; Zech 2:10 ; 9:9

 

XV == Ezek 48:35 ; Rev 7:15 ; 21:3-4

 

XVI == Isa 35:3-4 ; Heb 12:12

 

 

XVII Deut 30:9 ; Isa 62:5 ; 65:19 ; Jer 32:41 ; Zeph 3:15

 

XVIII == Lam 2:6

 

 

 

1 Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted, to the tyrannical city!

2 She hears no voice, accepts no correction; In the LORD she has not trusted, to her God she has not drawn near.

3 Her princes in her midst are roaring lions; Her judges are wolves of the night that have had no bones to gnaw by morning.

4 Her prophets are insolent, treacherous men; Her priests profane what is holy, and do violence to the law.

5 The LORD within her is just, who does no wrong; Morning after morning he renders judgment unfailingly, at dawn.

6 I have destroyed nations, their battlements are laid waste; I have made their streets deserted, with no one passing through; Their cities are devastated, with no man dwelling in them.

7 I said, "Surely now you will fear me, you will accept correction"; She should not fail to see all I have visited upon her. Yet all the more eagerly have they done all their corrupt deeds.

8 Therefore, wait for me, says the LORD, against the day when I arise as accuser; For it is my decision to gather together the nations, to assemble the kingdoms, In order to pour out upon them my wrath, all my blazing anger; For in the fire of my jealousy shall all the earth be consumed.

9 For then I will change and purify the lips of the peoples, That they all may call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one accord;

10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia and as far as the recesses of the North, they shall bring me offerings.

11 On that day You need not be ashamed of all your deeds, your rebellious actions against me; For then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, And you shall no longer exalt yourself on my holy mountain.

12 But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, Who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD;

13 the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; Nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; They shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.

14 Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!

15 The LORD has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear.

16 On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!

17 The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you,

18 as one sings at festivals. I will remove disaster from among you, so that none may recount your disgrace.

19 Yes, at that time I will deal with all who oppress you; I will save the lame, and assemble the outcasts; I will give them praise and renown in all the earth, when I bring about their restoration.

20 At that time I will bring you home, and at that time I will gather you; For I will give you renown and praise, among all the peoples of the earth, When I bring about your restoration before your very eyes, says the LORD.

v 1-5. Woe on Jerusalem indicates an  indictment. There they oppressed their own people, were rebellious against God, and were religiously defiled. Both civil and religious leaders were like wolves which devoured in a night, robbing the people for their own lust for power and wealth. The prophets used falsehood for gain, and the priests profaned the altar with their idolatry, astrology and blemished sacrifices.

v 6,7. The Lord reminds Judah how He had destroyed other nations and how the northern tribes had fallen, warning them to change their ways or be cut off. Instead, Judah deliberately rejected the Lord, and were eager to continue their corrupt ways.

 

v 8. The Lord had told of judgment on Jerusalem, other nations, and again on Jerusalem. Now He speaks of universal judgment, which will be at Armageddon.

v 9. After that, Israel will be blessed and have a purified language. Not a reversal of the confusion at Babel, but purified hearts which result in purified speech.

v 10. Beyond Ethiopia would mean far flung nations, and Jews of the dispersion will come to Jerusalem to worship.

v 11-13. At the beginning of the Millennium, Israel will be cleansed and restored. She will not live in shame and guilt, but will be meek and humble. (When the Chaldeans took Judah captive they left the poor of the land, a remnant, 2 Ki. 24:14; 25:12.) All injustice, lies and deceit will be gone, and they will live without fear.

v 14,15. Verses 13-15, who would have thought Ninevah would be covered with dust for centuries. The immediate future was bleak, but they would in future sing in praise. Messiah will dwell in their midst in the Millennium, and they will live in peace.

v 16,17. Converted Gentiles will encourage Israel to not fear, but to lift up their hands in praise, because the Lord will 1, Save’ 2, Rejoice over them in joy; 3, Rest in His love; 4, Joy over them in singing.

 

v 18. Scattered people in sorrow for missing the feasts will be gathered, blessed.

v 19. Israel will be honored in every place they have been scattered.

v 20. Israel will be both gathered, restored and honored in the sight of the living. This will fulfill the promise of Deut. 26:19. Zechariah emphasizes, “saith the Lord”.