Don't tell it in Gath. Don't weep at all. At Beth Ophrah I have rolled myself in the dust.

Shave your heads, and cut off your hair for the children of your delight. Enlarge your baldness like the vulture; for they have gone into captivity from you!

Therefore you will have no one who divides the land by lot in the assembly of Yahweh.

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.

"In that day," says Yahweh, "I will assemble that which is lame, and I will gather that which is driven away, and that which I have afflicted;

Now why do you cry out aloud? Is there no king in you? Has your counselor perished, that pains have taken hold of you as of a woman in travail?

Now many nations have assembled against you, that say, "Let her be defiled, and let our eye gloat over Zion."

I will destroy witchcraft from your hand; and you shall have no soothsayers.

Listen now to what Yahweh says: "Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear what you have to say.

My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me!

Therefore I also have struck you with a grievous wound. I have made you desolate because of your sins.

I will bear the indignation of Yahweh, because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my case, and executes judgment for me. He will bring me forth to the light. I will see his righteousness.

He will again have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquities under foot; and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

You will give truth to Jacob, and mercy to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.