He has stripped me of my honor. He has taken the crown off my head.
He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools out of judges.
He leads priests away barefoot and misleads those who serve in a temple.
“I have sewn sackcloth over my skin, and I have thrown my strength in the dust.
“But now those who are younger than I am laugh at me. I didn’t think their fathers were fit to sit with the dogs of my flock.
You have refused to recognize the promise to your servant and have thrown his crown into the dirt.
You have broken through all his walls and have laid his fortified cities in ruins.
You put an end to his splendor and hurled his throne to the ground.
Wealth is not forever. Nor does a crown last from one generation to the next.
You will be called the priests of the Lord. You will be called the servants of our God. You will consume the wealth of the nations. You will boast in their splendor.
The crown has fallen from our head. Because we have sinned, it has been disastrous for us.
“Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a bird. There will be no more pregnancies, births, or babies.
