Ésaïe 3:1-7

1 Car voici, le Seigneur, l'Éternel des armées, va ôter de Jérusalem et de Juda tout appui et toute ressource, toute ressource de pain et toute ressource d'eau;
2 L'homme fort et l'homme de guerre, le juge et le prophète, le devin et l'ancien,
3 Le chef de cinquantaines et l'homme considéré, le conseiller, l'artisan habile et celui qui s'entend à la magie.
4 Et je leur donnerai des jeunes gens pour chefs, et des enfants domineront sur eux.
5 Le peuple sera opprimé; l'un s'élèvera contre l'autre, et chacun contre son prochain; le jeune homme attaquera le vieillard, et l'homme de rien celui qui est honoré.
6 Alors un homme saisira son frère dans la maison paternelle: Tu as un manteau, sois notre chef, et prends en main ces ruines!
7 Mais, en ce jour-là, celui-ci répondra, disant: Je n'y saurais porter remède; il n'y a dans ma maison ni pain ni manteau; ne m'établissez pas chef du peuple.

Ésaïe 3:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 3

In this chapter the Jews are threatened with various calamities, on account of their sins, which would issue in their entire ruin and destruction. They are threatened with a famine, Isa 3:1 with a removal of useful men in church and state, and in common life, Isa 3:2,3 with ignorant and effeminate governors; the consequences of which would be oppression and insolence, Isa 3:4,5 yea, that such would be their state and condition, that men, though naturally ambitious of honour, would refuse to have the government of them, Isa 3:6,7 the reasons of these calamities, and of this ruin and fall of them, are their evil words and actions against the Lord, which were highly provoking to him; and their impudence in sinning like Sodom, which was to their own harm, Isa 3:8,9 yet, in the midst of all this, it is the will of God that the righteous should be told it shall be well with them, with the reason of it; when it shall be ill with the wicked, as a just recompence of reward, Isa 3:10,11 the errors and mistakes of the people are attributed to their childish and effeminate governors, Isa 3:12 wherefore the Lord determines to plead their cause, and contend with their elders and rulers, because they had spoiled and devoured the poor, Isa 3:13-15 and particularly the women are threatened, for their pride and luxury, to have their ornaments taken from them, which are particularly mentioned, Isa 3:16-24 and the chapter is concluded with a prophecy, that their mighty men should perish by the sword in war, and the city should be desolate, Isa 3:25,26.

The Ostervald translation is in the public domain.