Isaiah 3 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Look — the Master, Yahweh who commands armies, is about to strip Jerusalem and Judah of everything they lean on: every reserve of bread, every reserve of water,

the warrior and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder,

the captain of fifty, the man of standing, the advisor, the skilled craftsman, and the expert in whispered spells.

"I will make boys their leaders, and children will rule over them."

People will oppress each other — everyone against everyone, neighbor against neighbor. The young will rise up against the old, the nobody against the person of honor.

A man will grab his own brother in his father's house and say, "You still have a coat — you be our leader! Take charge of this wreckage!"

But that day, he will raise his voice and say, "I can't fix this! I don't have food or clothing in my house. Don't make me the leader of this people!"

Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen, because everything they say and do defies Yahweh — a direct challenge to his glorious presence.

The look on their faces gives them away — they parade their failures like Sodom, not even trying to hide them. How terrible for them! They have brought disaster on themselves.

Tell those who do right: it will go well for them — they will feast on the fruit of what they've done.

But how terrible for those who do wrong! Disaster is coming for them — whatever they've done to others will be done to them.

My people — children oppress them, and women rule over them. My people, your leaders mislead you and send you stumbling off the path.

Yahweh rises to make his case; he stands to pass judgment on his people.

Yahweh enters the courtroom against the elders and leaders of his people: "You — you have devoured the vineyard. The plunder stolen from the poor fills your houses."

"What gives you the right to crush my people, to grind the faces of the poor into the dirt?" declares the Master, Yahweh who commands armies.

Yahweh also says: "The women of Zion have become arrogant — walking with their necks stretched high, flirting with their eyes, prancing along with their anklets jingling,"

so the Master will strike the scalps of Zion's women with sores, and Yahweh will strip them bare.

On that day, the Master will strip away their finery — the anklets, the headbands, the crescent pendants,

the earrings, the bracelets, the veils,

the headdresses, the ankle chains, the sashes, the perfume bottles, the charm amulets,

the signet rings, the nose rings,

the fine robes, the wraps, the cloaks, the purses,

the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the shawls.

Instead of perfume — rot. Instead of a sash — a rope. Instead of styled hair — a shaved head. Instead of fine clothes — burlap. Instead of beauty — a brand mark.

Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle.

Zion's gates will mourn and grieve; stripped bare, she will sit in the dirt.