Eldersare gonefrom the gate,Youngmenfrom their music.
"But nowthoseyoungerthanI mockme, WhosefathersI disdainedto putwith the dogsof my flock.
"Therefore my harpis turnedto mourning,And my fluteto the soundof those who weep.
For thussaysthe LORDof hosts,the Godof Israel:"Behold,I am going to eliminatefrom thisplace,before your eyesand in your time,the voiceof rejoicingand the voiceof gladness,the voiceof the groomand the voiceof the bride.
Moreover, I will takefrom them the voiceof joyand the voiceof gladness,the voiceof the bridegroomand the voiceof the bride,the soundof the millstonesand the lightof the lamp.
"Then I will make to ceasefrom the citiesof Judahand from the streetsof Jerusalemthe voiceof joyand the voiceof gladness,the voiceof the bridegroomand the voiceof the bride;for the landwill becomea ruin.
"I calledto my lovers,[but] they deceivedme; My priestsand my eldersperishedin the cityWhilethey soughtfoodto restoretheir strengththemselves.
The roadsof Zionare in mourningBecausenoone comesto the appointedfeasts.Allher gatesare desolate;Her priestsare groaning,Her virginsare afflicted,And she herselfis bitter.
The eldersof the daughterof ZionSiton the ground,they are silent.They have thrownduston their heads;They have girdedthemselves with sackcloth.The virginsof JerusalemHave bowedtheir headsto the ground.
"So I will silencethe soundof your songs,and the soundof your harpswill be heardnomore.
"I will punishher for the daysof the BaalsWhenshe used to offersacrificesto them And adornherself with her earringsand jewelry,And followher lovers,so that she forgotMe," declaresthe LORD.
"You shall appointfor yourself judgesand officersin allyour townswhichthe LORDyour Godis givingyou, according to your tribes,and they shall judgethe peoplewith righteousjudgment.
"And the soundof harpistsand musiciansand flute-playersand trumpeterswill not be heardin you anylonger;and nocraftsmanof anycraftwill be foundin you any longer;and the soundof a millwill not be heardin you any longer;
