The officials of Zoan are fools, the officials of Memphis are misled; the rulers of her tribes lead Egypt astray.

The Lord says, “I will make youths their officials; malicious young men will rule over them.

Indeed, he says: “Are not my officials all kings?

Though his officials are in Zoan and his messengers arrive at Hanes,

Look, a king will promote fairness; officials will promote justice.

So I defiled your holy princes, and handed Jacob over to destruction, and subjected Israel to humiliating abuse.”

captains of groups of fifty, the respected citizens, advisers and those skilled in magical arts, and those who know incantations.

Arrange the table, lay out the carpet, eat and drink! Get up, you officers, smear oil on the shields!

Who planned this for royal Tyre, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are the dignitaries of the earth?

Her nobles will have nothing left to call a kingdom and all her officials will disappear.

Your officials are rebels, they associate with thieves. All of them love bribery, and look for payoffs. They do not take up the cause of the orphan, or defend the rights of the widow.

The Lord comes to pronounce judgment on the leaders of his people and their officials. He says, “It is you who have ruined the vineyard! You have stashed in your houses what you have stolen from the poor.

They will surrender their stronghold because of fear; their officers will be afraid of the Lord’s battle flag.” This is what the Lord says – the one whose fire is in Zion, whose firepot is in Jerusalem.

For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called: Extraordinary Strategist, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The officials of Zoan are nothing but fools; Pharaoh’s wise advisers give stupid advice. How dare you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the sages, one well-versed in the writings of the ancient kings?”

This is what the Lord, the protector of Israel, their Holy One, says to the one who is despised and rejected by nations, a servant of rulers: “Kings will see and rise in respect, princes will bow down, because of the faithful Lord, the Holy One of Israel who has chosen you.”