The Bible in Basic English BBE
Good News Translation GNT
1 For the Lord, the Lord of armies, is about to take away from Jerusalem and from Judah all their support; their store of bread and of water;
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Now the Lord, the Almighty Lord, is about to take away from Jerusalem and Judah everything and everyone that the people depend on. He is going to take away their food and their water,
2 The strong man and the man of war; the judge and the prophet; the man who has knowledge of secret arts, and the man who is wise because of his years;
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their heroes and their soldiers, their judges and their prophets, their fortunetellers and their statesmen,
3 The captain of fifty, and the man of high position, and the wise guide, and the wonder-worker, and he who makes use of secret powers.
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their military and civilian leaders, their politicians and everyone who uses magic to control events.
4 And I will make children their chiefs, and foolish ones will have rule over them.
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The Lord will let the people be governed by immature boys.
5 And the people will be crushed, every one by his neighbour; the young will be full of pride against the old, and those of low position will be lifted up against the noble.
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Everyone will take advantage of everyone else. Young people will not respect their elders, and worthless people will not respect their superiors.
6 When one man puts his hand on another in his father's house, and says, You have clothing, be our ruler and be responsible for us in our sad condition:
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A time will come when the members of a clan will choose one of their number and say to him, "You at least have something to wear, so be our leader in this time of trouble."
7 Then he will say with an oath, I will not be a helper, for in my house there is no bread or clothing: I will not let you make me a ruler of the people.
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But he will answer, "Not me! I can't help you. I don't have any food or clothes either. Don't make me your leader!"
8 For Jerusalem has become feeble, and destruction has come on Judah, because their words and their acts are against the Lord, moving the eyes of his glory to wrath.
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Yes, Jerusalem is doomed! Judah is collapsing! Everything they say and do is against the Lord; they openly insult God himself.
9 Their respect for a man's position is a witness against them; and their sin is open to the view of all; like that of Sodom, it is not covered. A curse on their soul! for the measure of their sin is full.
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Their prejudices will be held against them. They sin as openly as the people of Sodom did. They are doomed, and they have brought it on themselves.
10 Happy is the upright man! for he will have joy of the fruit of his ways.
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The righteous will be happy, and things will go well for them. They will get to enjoy what they have worked for.
11 Unhappy is the sinner! for the reward of his evil doings will come on him.
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But evil people are doomed; what they have done to others will now be done to them.
12 As for my people, their ruler is acting like a child, and those who have authority over them are women. O my people, your guides are the cause of your wandering, turning your footsteps out of the right way.
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Moneylenders oppress my people, and their creditors cheat them. My people, your leaders are misleading you, so that you do not know which way to turn.
13 The Lord is ready to take up his cause against his people, and is about to come forward as their judge.
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The Lord is ready to state his case; he is ready to judge his people.
14 The Lord comes to be the judge of their responsible men and of their rulers: it is you who have made waste the vine-garden, and in your houses is the property of the poor which you have taken by force.
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The Lord is bringing the elders and leaders of his people to judgment. He makes this accusation: "You have plundered vineyards, and your houses are full of what you have taken from the poor.
15 By what right are you crushing my people, and putting a bitter yoke on the necks of the poor? This is the word of the Lord, the Lord of armies.
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You have no right to crush my people and take advantage of the poor. I, the Sovereign Lord Almighty, have spoken."
16 Again, the Lord has said, Because the daughters of Zion are full of pride, and go with outstretched necks and wandering eyes, with their foot-chains sounding when they go:
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The Lord said, "Look how proud the women of Jerusalem are! They walk along with their noses in the air. They are always flirting. They take dainty little steps, and the bracelets on their ankles jingle.
17 The Lord will send disease on the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will let their secret parts be seen.
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But I will punish them - I will shave their heads and leave them bald."
18 In that day the Lord will take away the glory of their foot-rings, and their sun-jewels, and their moon-ornaments,
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A day is coming when the Lord will take away from the women of Jerusalem everything they are so proud of - the ornaments they wear on their ankles, on their heads, on their necks,
19 The ear-rings, and the chains, and the delicate clothing,
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and on their wrists. He will take away their veils
20 The head-bands, and the arm-chains, and the worked bands, and the perfume-boxes, and the jewels with secret powers,
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and their hats; the magic charms they wear on their arms and at their waists;
21 The rings, and the nose-jewels,
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the rings they wear on their fingers and in their noses;
22 The feast-day dresses, and the robes, and the wide skirts, and the handbags,
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all their fine robes, gowns, cloaks, and purses;
23 The looking-glasses, and the fair linen, and the high head-dresses, and the veils.
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their revealing garments, their linen handkerchiefs, and the scarves and long veils they wear on their heads.
24 And in the place of sweet spices will be an evil smell, and for a fair band a thick cord; for a well-dressed head there will be the cutting-off of the hair, and for a beautiful robe there will be the clothing of sorrow; the mark of the prisoner in place of the ornaments of the free.
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Instead of using perfumes, they will stink; instead of fine belts, they will wear coarse ropes; instead of having beautiful hair, they will be bald; instead of fine clothes, they will be dressed in rags; their beauty will be turned to shame!
25 Your men will be put to the sword, and your men of war will come to destruction in the fight.
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The men of the city, yes, even the strongest men, will be killed in war.
26 And in the public places of her towns will be sorrow and weeping; and she will be seated on the earth, waste and uncovered.
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The city gates will mourn and cry, and the city itself will be like a woman sitting on the ground, stripped naked.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.