8 For this I will weep and wail, I will walk like a robbed and naked, howl like jackals, and weep like ostriches, (Comparison with animals).
9 because her defeat is painful, it has reached Judah, it has even reached the gates of my people, even Jerusalem. (The gate had a "sacred" status).
10 Do not announce it in Gath, do not cry loudly there; but in the village of Ofra cover yourself with ashes. (Crying, sprinkling ashes on the head – an expression of grief).
11 Move, inhabitants of Shafir, shamefully naked; she who dwells in Zaan will not run away; weeping in the village of Etzel will not allow you to stay there. (Proposal for resettlement, as a difficult time has come).
12 The resident of Maratha mourns for her good, for disaster has come down from the Lord at the gates of Jerusalem. (Disaster in Judea).
13 Harness to the chariot of the fast, inhabitant of Lachish; you are the beginning of the sin of the daughter of Zion, for the transgressions of Israel have appeared to you. (Sins, crimes filled Israel).
14 Therefore you will send gifts to Moresheth-Geth; but the cities of Achziv will be a deception to the kings of Israel. (An enumeration of various settlements whose inhabitants behave differently during difficult times).
15 I will bring you another heir, O woman of Moresh; it will go to Odollam, the glory of Israel. (An enumeration of various settlements whose inhabitants behave differently during difficult times).
16 Take off your hair, cut your hair, grieving for your dearly beloved sons; widen your baldness because of them, like that of a molting eagle, for they will be exiled from you. (Hair had a "sacred" status. This refers to the great lamb hawk, whose head and neck are bald and covered with down, a trait not common to any of the eagle breeds.)
Chapter 2
1 Woe to those who plot iniquity, and plot evil deeds in their beds, which they commit in the morning at dawn, because there is power in their hand! (The prophet convicts Judah and Israel of their sins and calls for correction, both comforting and threatening.)
2 They desire fields and take them by force; houses and take them away; they rob a man and his house, a husband and his inheritance. (The prophet convicts Judah and Israel of their sins and calls for correction, both comforting and threatening.)