Woe to Those at Ease in Zion
(Luke 6:24–26)

1Woe to those at ease in Zion

and those secure on Mount Samaria (watch mountain),

the distinguished ones of the foremost nation,

to whom the house of Israel (he wrestles with God) comes.

2Cross over to Calneh (fortress of Anu) and see;

go from there to the great Hamath (enclosure of wrath);

then go down to Gath (winepress) of the Philistines (immigrants).

Are you better than these kingdoms?

Is their territory larger than yours⁺?

3You dismiss the day of calamity

and bring near a reign of violence.

4You lie on beds inlaid with ivory,

and lounge upon your couches.

You dine on lambs from the flock

and calves from the stall.

5You improvise songs on the harp like David (beloved)

and invent your own musical instruments.

6You drink wine by the bowlful

and anoint yourselves with the finest oils,

but you fail to grieve

over the ruin of Joseph (YHWH has added).

7Therefore, you will now go into exile

as the first of the captives,

and your feasting and lounging

will come to an end.

The Pride of Israel

8The Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH} has sworn by Himself—the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Hosts, has declared:

“I abhor Jacob’s (he grasps the heel) pride

and detest his citadels,

so I will deliver up the city

and everything in it.”

9And if there are ten men left in one house, they too will die. 10And when the relative who is to burn the bodies (to make a funeral fire to honor the dead)a picks them up to remove them from the house, he will call to one inside, “Is anyone else with you?”

“None,” that person will answer.

“Silence,” the relative will retort, “for the name of the LORD {YHWH} must not be invoked.”

11For the LORD {YHWH} gives a command:

“The great house will be smashed to pieces,

and the small house to rubble.”

12“Do horses gallop on the cliffs?

Does one plow the sea \Does one plow there/b with oxen?

But you⁺ have turned justice into poison

and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood—

13you who rejoice in Lo-debar (nothing)c and say,

‘Did we not take Karnaim (horn)d by our own strength?’

14For behold, I will raise up a nation

against you⁺, O house of Israel (he wrestles with God),”

declares the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Hosts,

“and they will oppress you⁺

from Lebo-hamath (fortress) to the Brook of the Arabah.”