How the faithful city has become a harlot: This verse opens with a cry of distress, lament, and great disappointment. Here the prophet is speaking on behalf of the LORD. The introductory Hebrew particle translated How (also Bible en français courant) carries the sense of “How could you…?” which implies an unacceptable change for the worse. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh uses the rather archaic English word “Alas” to convey the sense. Many translations leave the idea of lament and disappointment implicit in the wording of the verse (see Good News Translation).
The faithful city refers to Jerusalem/Zion (see 1.26 and Zech 8.3 in Revised Standard Version, the only other references where this phrase is found, though the Hebrew is slightly different in Zech 8.3). It means that the people of Jerusalem once lived according to Yahweh’s laws. This phrase may be rendered “the city that was faithful to God” or “the city that put its trust in the LORD alone.” In English we can convey the sense of this past situation by saying “the once faithful city.” Faithful is a keyword in this and other prophetic books. It refers to a person who is trustworthy. It can also describe the trust between husband and wife in a marriage relationship. The Israelites were once faithful to Yahweh, but that situation has changed so much that they are now described as a harlot or prostitute. Prostitution is used here as a symbol of idolatry. The people of Jerusalem have turned to other gods, and have failed to keep the LORD’s laws and live by the covenant requirements. The use of the harlot image is typical of Hosea. Translators should use a word for harlot that is not vulgar; they should use one that can be read in public without giving offense. If there are special reasons for not using the term harlot, then its sense can be given as “unfaithful woman.” However, translators should try to retain the flavor of the original Hebrew imagery where possible.
She that was full of justice: This line and the next one further describe Jerusalem as it was in the past. It will be contrasted with the present situation, from the last line of this verse through verse 23. In verse 17 the people were called to live justly. Here the thought is similar. Jerusalem was full of justice in the past. It was the city where the main courts of law were set up in David’s time. The judges and the people of Judah respected the laws and ensured that justice was done. Some languages may find it difficult to speak of a city being full of justice. If so, this line may be rendered “she that was full of people who wanted/loved justice.” (See also suggestions at the end of the next paragraph.) New Jerusalem Bible follows the Septuagint for this line by saying “Zion, once full of fair judgement.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project does not consider that “Zion” was mentioned the original text. If translators wish to make clear which city is in view, they could add “Jerusalem” (so Contemporary English Version).
Righteousness lodged in her describes a similar situation as the previous line. Every member of the community was so devoted to living according to God’s requirements that the city was characterized by a righteous way of life. Thus the author can speak of Righteousness actually living there. The Hebrew verb translated lodged means “to stay/reside.” Righteousness, which is another keyword in the prophets, is parallel to justice in many contexts, just as it is here. The two terms differ in meaning. Justice is a “result” word (see the comments on 1.16-17). When judges apply the laws and people abide by them, the result is justice in the country. Righteousness is a “behavior” word. People who obey the laws are righteous people. The people of Jerusalem behaved in a righteous way, so Righteousness lodged in the city. Several modern translations replace the abstract noun Righteousness with “righteous people” (so Good News Translation). Rather than translate justice and Righteousness with words meaning “truth” or “honesty,” this line and the previous one may be rendered “the city where the laws were [or, the law was] respected/obeyed” or “the city that was full of good [well-behaved] people.”
But now murderers provides the contrast to the previous situation. The word murderers is probably used figuratively as a strong condemnation. It intends to highlight the cruel and uncaring attitude of the people of Jerusalem and their failure to live in accordance with God’s ways. According to the Law (Num 35.16-18), murderers should be put to death. Thus Isaiah charges Jerusalem with crimes worthy of death. The Hebrew has no verb in this line. Translators can choose an appropriate verbal expression; for example, the line may be rendered “but now murderers are masters there” (Bible en français courant) or “but only murderers live there now” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).
As translation examples for this verse, consider the following:
• Alas, the once faithful city has become a prostitute!
She was once full of justice,
righteousness was once there,
but now there are only murderers.
• Oh, Jerusalem, once a faithful city
but now a prostitute!
Once her people lived justly,
and righteousness was always found there.
Now, only murderers.
Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .