Chapter 2
1 Woe to those who devise iniquity and work evil on their beds ! When the morning is light, they practise it , because it is in the power of their hand .
2 They covet fields and seize them , and houses , then take them away . They oppress a man and his house , even a man and his heritage .
3 Therefore the LORD says : " Behold , I am planning against these people a disaster , from which you will not remove your necks , neither will you walk haughtily , for it is an evil time .
4 In that day they will take up a parable against you , and lament with a doleful lamentation , saying, ‘ We are utterly ruined ! My people ’s possession is divided up . Indeed he takes it from me and assigns our fields to traitors!’"
5 Therefore you will have no one who divides the land by lot in the LORD ’s assembly .
6 "Don’t prophesy !"— they prophesy — "Don’t prophesy about these things . Disgrace won’t overtake us."
7 Shall it be said , O house of Jacob , " Is the LORD ’s Spirit angry? Are these his doings ? Don’t my words do good to him who walks blamelessly?"
8 But lately my people have risen up as an enemy. You strip the robe and clothing from those who pass by without a care, returning from battle .
9 You drive the women of my people out from their pleasant houses ; from their young children you take away my blessing forever .
10 Arise , and depart ! For this is not your resting place , because of uncleanness that destroys, even with a grievous destruction .
11 If a man walking in a spirit of falsehood lies , saying, " I will prophesy to you of wine and of strong drink ," he would be the prophet of this people .
12 I will surely assemble all of you , Jacob . I will surely gather the remnant of Israel . I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah , as a flock in the middle of their pasture . They will swarm with people .
13 He who breaks open the way goes up before them . They break through the gate , and go out . Their king passes on before them , with the LORD at their head .