1  Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand. 2  And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.* oppress: or, defraud 3  Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time is evil.

4 ¶ In that day shall one take up a parable against you, and lament with a doleful lamentation, and say, We be utterly spoiled: he hath changed the portion of my people: how hath he removed it from me! turning away he hath divided our fields.† a doleful…: Heb. a lamentation of lamentations‡ turning…: or, instead of restoring 5  Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD.

6  Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame.§ Prophesy ye…: or, Prophesy not as they prophesy: Heb. Drop, etc

7 ¶ O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?** straitened: or, shortened?†† uprightly: Heb. upright? 8  Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war.‡‡ of late: Heb. yesterday§§ with the: Heb. over against a 9  The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever.*** women: or, wives 10  Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction. 11  If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.††† walking…: or, walk with the wind, and lie falsely

12 ¶ I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men. 13  The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.