9For her wound is incurable;

it has come to Judah.

It^a has reached the very gate of my people,

even to Jerusalem itself.

10Tell it not in Gath^b;

weep not at all.^c

In Beth Ophrah^d

roll in the dust.

11Pass on in nakedness and shame,

you who live in Shaphir.^e

Those who live in Zaanan^f

will not come out.

Beth Ezel is in mourning;

its protection is taken from you.

12Those who live in Maroth^g writhe in pain,

waiting for relief,

because disaster has come from the Lord,

even to the gate of Jerusalem.

13You who live in Lachish,^h

harness the team to the chariot.

You were the beginning of sin

to the Daughter of Zion,

for the transgressions of Israel

were found in you.

14Therefore you will give parting gifts

to Moresheth Gath.

The town of Aczibⁱ will prove deceptive

to the kings of Israel.

15I will bring a conqueror against you

who live in Mareshah.^j

He who is the glory of Israel

will come to Adullam.

16Shave your heads in mourning

for the children in whom you delight;

make yourselves as bald as the vulture,

for they will go from you into exile.