Isaiah 3; Isaiah 4; Galatians 6

1 Now the LORD God of heavenly forces is removing from Jerusalem and from Judah every form of support: all rations of food and water;

2 soldier and warrior; judge and prophet; fortune-teller and elder;

3 commander and celebrity; counselor, clever craftsman, and cunning charmer.

4 I will make youths their commanders; mischief makers will rule over them.

5 The people will oppress each other, each one against the other, neighbor against neighbor. The young will bully the old, the rogue, and the respectable.

6 Someone will seize a family member, saying, "You have clothing! You be our leader! This mess will be your responsibility!"

7 Someone else will cry out on that day, "I'm no healer! I have neither food nor clothing in my house! Don't make me the leader of the people!"

8 Yes, Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen, because the way they talk and act in word and deed insults the LORD, defying his brilliant glory.

9 Their bias in judgment gives them away; like Sodom, they display their sins in public. Doom to them, for they have done themselves in!

10 Tell the righteous how blessed they are; they will eat the fruit of their labors.

11 Doom to the wicked; they are evil. What they have done will be done to them.

12 As for my people—oppressors strip them and swindlers rule them. My people—your leaders mislead you and confuse your paths.

13 The LORD arises to accuse; he stands to judge the peoples.

14 The LORD will enter into judgment with the elders and princes of his people: You yourselves have devoured the vineyard; the goods stolen from the poor are in your houses.

15 How dare you crush my people and grind the faces of the poor? says the LORD God of heavenly forces.

16 The LORD says: Because Zion's daughters applaud themselves, walking with their chins in the air, flirting with their eyes, tiptoeing as they walk, feet jingling—

17 the Lord will shave the heads of Zion's daughters, and will expose their scalps.

18 On that day, the LORD will remove: the splendid ankle chains; headbands and moon-shaped pendants;

19 the earrings, bracelets, and veils;

20 the hats, bangles, and sashes; the amulets and charms;

21 the signet rings and nose rings;

22 the robes and capes; the shawls and handbags;

23 the mirrors and linen garments; the turbans and the veils.

24 Instead of perfume there will be a disgusting odor; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of styled hair, shaved heads; instead of expensive clothes, rags as mourning clothes; instead of beauty, shame.

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

26 Her gates will lament and mourn; desolate, she will sit on the ground.

1 Seven women will grab one man on that day, saying, "We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes—only let us take your name; take away our disgrace."

2 On that day, the LORD's branch will become beautiful and glorious. The earth's fruit will be the pride and splendor of Israel's survivors.

3 Whoever remains in Zion and is left in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who is on the list of those living in Jerusalem.

4 When the Lord washes the filth from Zion's daughters, and cleanses Jerusalem's bloodguilt from within it by means of a wind of judgment and a searing wind,

5 then the LORD will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over its assembly a cloud by day and smoke and the light of a blazing fire by night. Over all the glory there will be a canopy,

6 which will be a booth by day for shade from the heat and a hiding place and shelter from a stormy downpour.

1 Brothers and sisters, if a person is caught doing something wrong, you who are spiritual should restore someone like this with a spirit of gentleness. Watch out for yourselves so you won't be tempted too.

2 Carry each other's burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.

3 If anyone thinks they are important when they aren't, they're fooling themselves.

4 Each person should test their own work and be happy with doing a good job and not compare themselves with others.

5 Each person will have to carry their own load.

6 Those who are taught the word should share all good things with their teacher.

7 Make no mistake, God is not mocked. A person will harvest what they plant.

8 Those who plant only for their own benefit will harvest devastation from their selfishness, but those who plant for the benefit of the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit.

9 Let's not get tired of doing good, because in time we'll have a harvest if we don't give up.

10 So then, let's work for the good of all whenever we have an opportunity, and especially for those in the household of faith.

11 Look at the large letters I'm making with my own handwriting!

12 Whoever wants to look good by human standards will try to get you to be circumcised, but only so they won't be harassed for the cross of Christ.

13 Those who are circumcised don't observe the Law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised, so they can boast about your physical body.

14 But as for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except for the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through him, and I have been crucified to the world.

15 Being circumcised or not being circumcised doesn't mean anything. What matters is a new creation.

16 May peace and mercy be on whoever follows this rule and on God's Israel.

17 From now on, no one should bother me because I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.

18 Brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.