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10 Happy the just, for it will go well with them,
    the fruit of their works they will eat.
11 Woe to the wicked! It will go ill with them,
    with the work of their hands they will be repaid.
12 My people—infants oppress them,
    women rule over them!
My people, your leaders deceive you,(A)
    they confuse the paths you should follow.

13 [a]The Lord rises to accuse,
    stands to try his people.
14 The Lord enters into judgment
    with the people’s elders and princes:
You, you who have devoured the vineyard;
    the loot wrested from the poor is in your houses.
15 What do you mean by crushing my people,
    and grinding down the faces of the poor?
    says the Lord, the God of hosts.

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Footnotes

  1. 3:13–15 The princes and the elders, here accused of despoiling the poor, are the very ones who should be their defenders. Loot: by the Hebrew term (gazela) Isaiah conveys the idea of violent seizure, though 10:1–4 suggests the poor could be plundered by legal means.

10 Tell the righteous it will be well(A) with them,
    for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.(B)
11 Woe to the wicked!(C)
    Disaster(D) is upon them!
They will be paid back(E)
    for what their hands have done.(F)

12 Youths(G) oppress my people,
    women rule over them.
My people, your guides lead you astray;(H)
    they turn you from the path.

13 The Lord takes his place in court;(I)
    he rises to judge(J) the people.
14 The Lord enters into judgment(K)
    against the elders and leaders of his people:
“It is you who have ruined my vineyard;
    the plunder(L) from the poor(M) is in your houses.
15 What do you mean by crushing my people(N)
    and grinding(O) the faces of the poor?”(P)
declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.(Q)

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III. Announcement of Judgment

Chapter 6

    [a]Hear, then, what the Lord says:
Arise, plead your case before the mountains,
    and let the hills hear your voice!(A)
Hear, O mountains, the Lord’s case,
    pay attention, O foundations of the earth!
For the Lord has a case against his people;
    he enters into trial with Israel.
My people, what have I done to you?
    how have I wearied you? Answer me!(B)
I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
    from the place of slavery I ransomed you;
And I sent before you Moses,
    Aaron, and Miriam.(C)
[b]My people, remember what Moab’s King Balak planned,
    and how Balaam, the son of Beor, answered him.
Recall the passage from Shittim to Gilgal,
    that you may know the just deeds of the Lord.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 6:1–5 The Lord, through the prophet, initiates a legal case against the people. The initial calls (vv. 1–2) signal the beginning of a trial, and the proclamation that the Lord intends to enter into a legal dispute with Israel. One would expect accusations to follow such an introduction, but instead the Lord speaks in self-defense, reciting mighty acts done in behalf of Israel (vv. 3–5).
  2. 6:5 The Lord calls for the people to remember the saving events of the past, from the encounters with Balak and Balaam (Nm 22:23) during the wandering in the wilderness to the entrance into the promised land (“from Shittim to Gilgal,” Jos 3–5).

The Lord’s Case Against Israel

Listen to what the Lord says:

“Stand up, plead my case before the mountains;(A)
    let the hills hear what you have to say.

“Hear,(B) you mountains, the Lord’s accusation;(C)
    listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.
For the Lord has a case(D) against his people;
    he is lodging a charge(E) against Israel.

“My people, what have I done to you?
    How have I burdened(F) you?(G) Answer me.
I brought you up out of Egypt(H)
    and redeemed you from the land of slavery.(I)
I sent Moses(J) to lead you,
    also Aaron(K) and Miriam.(L)
My people, remember
    what Balak(M) king of Moab plotted
    and what Balaam son of Beor answered.
Remember your journey from Shittim(N) to Gilgal,(O)
    that you may know the righteous acts(P) of the Lord.”

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