Alas! a nation - committing sin, a people - burdened with iniquity, a seed - practising wickedness, sons - acting corruptly. They have forsaken Yahweh despised the Holy One of Israel, - Are estranged and gone back.

Therefore, Declareth the Lord Yahweh of hosts, The Mighty One of Israel, - Alas! I must appease me on mine adversaries, I must avenge me on mine enemies

The show of their face, hath answered against them, And their sin - like Sodom, have they told, they have not concealed it. Alas for their souls! For they have requited to themselves, calamity.

Alas! for the lawless, it is ill, For what his own hand hath matured, shall he done to him.

Alas for them who join house to house, Field to field, bring they near, - Until there is no room, But ye are left to dwell alone in the midst of the land.

Alas, for them who rise early in the morning that strong drink, they may pursue, - Who follow on in the evening cool until with wine, they are heated;

Alas! for them Who draw on themselves punishment with cords of falsehood, - And as with waggon-bands, penalty:

Alas! for them Who call evil good and good evil, - Who put darkness for light and light for darkness, Who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

Alas for them Who are wise in their own eyes, - And in their own sight, are prudent.

Alas for them Who are heroes to drink wine, - And men of valour to mingle strong drink,

Alas! for them who ordain iniquitous decree, - And, busy writers, who make a business of writing mischief:

Alas! for Assyria, the rod of mine anger, - Yea, the very staff in their hand, is, my displeasure:

Alas! the booming of many peoples, Like the booming of the seas, shall they boom, - And the rushing of nations! Like the rushing of mighty waters, shall they rush.

Alas! for the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim, And for his fading wreath of majestic beauty, - Which is on the head of the fertile valley, of them who are overcome with wine.

Alas for Ariel, Ariel, The city against which, David encamped, - Add ye a year to a year. Let the festivals, come round;

Alas! for them who would fain have been too deep for Yahweh by giving secret counsel, - and therefore in the dark, have been their doings, and they have said Who can see us? and - Who can understand us?

Alas! for sons who are rebellious, Declareth Yahweh. Executing a purpose, but not from me, And pouring out a libation but not from my spirit, - That they may add sin to sin:

Alas! for them who are going down to Egypt for help, On horses, would rely, - And have trusted - In chariots - because they are many, and In horsemen, because they are very bold, But have not looked unto the Holy One of Israel, And onto Yahweh, have not sought.

Alas! thou plunderer when, thou, hadst not been plundered, And thou traitor when they had not betrayed thee: When thou hast ceased plundering, thou shalt be plundered, When thou hast left off betraying, they shall betray thee.

Alas for him who contendeth with his Fashioner, - A potsherd, should contend with the potsherds of the ground! Shall it be said by the clay, unto him that is fashioning it, What wouldst thou make? Or, thy work say, of thee, He hath no hands?

Alas, for one who saith to a father, What begettest thou? Or to a woman What dost thou bring forth?