1:4 The mountains will disintegrate 1 beneath him,
and the valleys will be split in two. 2
The mountains will melt 3 like wax in a fire,
the rocks will slide down like water cascading down a steep slope. 4
1:5 All this is because of Jacob’s rebellion
and 5 the sins of the nation 6 of Israel.
How has Jacob rebelled, you ask? 7
Samaria epitomizes their rebellion! 8
Where are Judah’s pagan worship centers, you ask? 9
They are right in Jerusalem! 10
1:6 “I will turn Samaria 11 into a heap of ruins in an open field –
vineyards will be planted there! 12
I will tumble 13 the rubble of her stone walls 14 down into the valley,
and tear down her fortifications to their foundations. 15
1:7 All her carved idols will be smashed to pieces;
all her metal cult statues will be destroyed by fire. 16
I will make a waste heap 17 of all her images.
Since 18 she gathered the metal 19 as a prostitute collects her wages,
the idols will become a prostitute’s wages again.” 20
1:8 For this reason I 21 will mourn and wail;
I will walk around barefoot 22 and without my outer garments. 23
I will howl 24 like a wild dog, 25
and screech 26 like an owl. 27
1:9 For Samaria’s 28 disease 29 is incurable.
It has infected 30 Judah;
it has spread to 31 the leadership 32 of my people
and has even contaminated Jerusalem! 33
1:10 Don’t spread the news in Gath! 34
Don’t shed even a single tear! 35
In Beth Leaphrah sit in the dust! 36
1:11 Residents 37 of Shaphir, 38 pass by in nakedness and humiliation! 39
The residents of Zaanan can’t leave their city. 40
Beth Ezel 41 mourns, 42
“He takes from you what he desires.” 43
1:12 Indeed, the residents of Maroth 44 hope for something good to happen, 45
though the Lord has sent disaster against the city of Jerusalem. 46
1:13 Residents of Lachish, 47 hitch the horses to the chariots!
You 48 influenced Daughter Zion 49 to sin, 50
for Israel’s rebellious deeds can be traced back 51 to you!
1:14 Therefore you 52 will have to say farewell 53 to Moresheth Gath.
The residents 54 of Achzib 55 will be as disappointing
as a dried up well 56 to the kings of Israel. 57
1:15 Residents of Mareshah, 58 a conqueror will attack you, 59
the leaders of Israel shall flee to Adullam. 60
1:16 Shave your heads bald as you mourn for the children you love; 61
shave your foreheads as bald 62 as an eagle, 63
for they are taken from you into exile.