the mighty men and warriors, judges and prophets, omen readers and leaders,

Who comprehends the mind of the Lord, or gives him instruction as his counselor?

The people will treat each other harshly; men will oppose each other; neighbors will fight. Youths will proudly defy the elderly and riffraff will challenge those who were once respected.

So now, residents of Jerusalem, people of Judah, you decide between me and my vineyard!

“I will provoke civil strife in Egypt, brothers will fight with each other, as will neighbors, cities, and kingdoms.

Indeed Israel is the vineyard of the Lord who commands armies, the people of Judah are the cultivated place in which he took delight. He waited for justice, but look what he got – disobedience! He waited for fairness, but look what he got – cries for help!

Like a frightened gazelle or a sheep with no shepherd, each will turn toward home, each will run to his homeland.

The wicked need to abandon their lifestyle and sinful people their plans. They should return to the Lord, and he will show mercy to them, and to their God, for he will freely forgive them.

Don’t listen to Hezekiah!’ For this is what the king of Assyria says, ‘Send me a token of your submission and surrender to me. Then each of you may eat from his own vine and fig tree and drink water from his own cistern,