a prophet for our time

sons have I reared and brought up,

sons who deal corruptly.

sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity

the whole head is sick, there is no soundness in it,

but bruises and sores and bleeding wounds;

they are not pressed out, or bound up, or softened with oil.

your country lies desolate, your cities are burned with fire.

in your very presence aliens devour your land; it is desolate.

your wine is mixed with water

every one loves a bribe and runs after gifts

who requires of you this trampling of my courts?

though your sins are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool

you shall be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted

they bow down to the work of their hands,

to what their own fingers have made.

In that day they will cast forth their idols

to the moles and to the bats,

with flattering lips and a double heart they speak

their mouths will be full of gravel

except their Rock had sold them

scrapes with his feet, points with his finger

spoil you through philosophy

do not let her capture you with her eyelashes

the smooth tongue of the adventuress

thou scarest me with dreams,

and terrifiest me through visions

his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent

go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet

as a dog returneth to his vomit

the cords of the grave coiled around me

a cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea

the lord will whistle for the fly

a rock of stumbling:

consult the mediums and the wizards who chirp and mutter

the bricks have fallen, but we will build with dressed stones;

the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place

I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder,

and to tread them down like the mire of the streets

the cow and the bear shall feed and the lion shall eat straw

the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den.

their infants will be dashed in pieces before their eyes

its houses will be full of howling creatures; there ostriches will dwell

hyenas will cry in its towers, and jackals in the pleasant palaces

smoke comes out of the north, and there is no straggler in his ranks

make your shade like night at the height of noon