Isaiah 3:12
10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor.
11 Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.
Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. O My people, your guides mislead you; they turn you from your paths.
13 The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people.
14 The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. O My people, your guides mislead you; they turn you from your paths.
- KJV
- As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
- WEB
- As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. My people, those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.
- ASV
- As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they that lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
- DARBY
- [As for] my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. My people! they that guide thee mislead [thee], and destroy the way of thy paths.
- BLB
- My people—their oppressors [are] foolish children, and women rule over them. O My people, those who guide you lead [you] astray, and the way of your paths they have swallowed up.
- ÅB
- Mitt folks herskere er barn, og kvinner råder over det. Mitt folk! Dine førere er forførere, og den vei du skal gå, har de ødelagt.
- OTB
- Mitt folk! Deres undertrykkere er barn, og kvinner hersker over dem. Mitt folk, de som leder dere, fører dere vill og leder deres stier på avveie.
- B1930
- Mitt folks herskere er barn, og kvinner råder over det. Mitt folk! Dine førere er forførere, og den vei du skal gå, har de ødelagt.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Isaiah 3:4
“I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.”
Read in contextNahum 3:13
Look at your troops— they are like your women! The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies; fire consumes their bars.
Read in contextIsaiah 28:14–15
Therefore hear the word of the LORD, O scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.
Read in context2 Kings 11:1
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs.
Read in contextIsaiah 9:15–16
The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies.
Read in contextJeremiah 5:31
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?
Read in contextNumbers 6:23–27
“Tell Aaron and his sons: This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
Read in contextMatthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Read in context