For, Gaza, forsaken, shall be, and, Ashkelon, a desolation, - Ashdod! at high noon, shall they drive her forth, and, Ekron, be uprooted:

So shall lie down in her midst - flocks, each living thing of a nation, both pelican and bittern, in her capitals, shall roost, - a voice, shall resound in the window, the bustard, on the sill, for he hath destroyed, hath laid bare.

This, is the city exultant, that sat secure, that said in her heart, I, am ! and no one besides! How hath she become a desolation! a lair of beasts, every one passing, by her doth hiss, shaketh his hand.

Alas for her that is rebellious, and polluted, the city that oppresseth!

She hath hearkened to no voice, accepted no correction; in Yahweh, hath not trusted, to her God, hath not drawn near:

Her rulers in her midst, are roaring lions, - her judges, evening wolves, they have left nothing until morning!

Her prophets, are reckless, treacherous men! her priests, have profaned the holy, done violence to law.

Yahweh, the Righteous One, is in her midst, he dealeth not perversely, - Morning by morning, his justice, bringeth he forth the light, He is not found lacking, but the perverse man knoweth no shame.

I said, Surely thou wilt reverence, Me, wilt accept correction, lest her abode, should be cut of, howsoever I had punished her; but, in truth, they soon corrupted all their deeds.

Behold me! dealing with all thine oppressors, at that time, - and I will save her that is lame, and, her that hath been an outcast, will I carry, and I will make them to be a Praise and a Name, in the whole earth that hath witnessed their shame.