Gilead is a city full of evildoers; its streets are stained with bloody footprints!

It scorns the tumult in the town; it does not hear the shouts of a driver.

The wealth of a rich person is like a fortified city, but the poor are brought to ruin by their poverty.

When the righteous do well, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there is joy.

The wealth of a rich person is like a strong city, and it is like a high wall in his imagination.

A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel.

Scornful people inflame a city, but those who are wise turn away wrath.

The ruined town is shattered; all of the houses are shut up tight.

How deserted will that once-famous city be, that city that was once filled with joy!

The one who builds a city by bloodshed is as good as dead – he who starts a town by unjust deeds.

How tragic that the once-faithful city has become a prostitute! She was once a center of justice, fairness resided in her, but now only murderers.

So a strong nation will extol you; the towns of powerful nations will fear you.

Ariel is as good as dead – Ariel, the town David besieged! Keep observing your annual rituals, celebrate your festivals on schedule.

For fire went out from Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon. It has consumed Ar of Moab and the lords of the high places of Arnon.

Then Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed him king in Gihon. They went up from there rejoicing, and the city is in an uproar. That is the sound you hear.

It is lofty and pleasing to look at, a source of joy to the whole earth. Mount Zion resembles the peaks of Zaphon; it is the city of the great king.

I will reestablish honest judges as in former times, wise advisers as in earlier days. Then you will be called, ‘The Just City, Faithful Town.’”

The noisy city is full of raucous sounds; the town is filled with revelry. Your slain were not cut down by the sword; they did not die in battle.

Indeed, you have made the city into a heap of rubble, the fortified town into a heap of ruins; the fortress of foreigners is no longer a city, it will never be rebuilt.

Indeed, the Lord knocks down those who live in a high place, he brings down an elevated town; he brings it down to the ground, he throws it down to the dust.