(“) Run for cover , O sons of Benjamin ; (flee from) Jerusalem ! Sound the ram’s horn in Tekoa ; send up a signal over vvv Beth-haccherem , for disaster looms from the north , even great destruction.
Though she is beautiful and delicate , I will destroy the Daughter of Zion.
Shepherds and their flocks will come against her ; they will pitch ... their tents all around her , ... each - tending his own portion :
‘ Prepare for battle against her ; rise up , let us attack at noon. Woe for the daylight ... is fading ; the evening shadows grow long.
Rise up , let us attack by night and destroy her fortresses ! ’”
For this is what the LORD of Hosts says : “ Cut down the trees and raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished ; there is nothing but oppression in her midst.
As a well gushes its water , so she pours out her evil. Violence and destruction resound sickness and wounds are ever before Me.
Be forewarned , O Jerusalem , or I will turn away from you ; ... I will make you a desolation , a land without inhabitant. ”
This is what the LORD of Hosts says : “ {Glean} the remnant of Israel as thoroughly ... as a vine. Pass your hand once more like a grape gatherer over the branches. ”
To whom can I give this warning ? Who will listen (to me) ? Look , their ears are closed , so they cannot ... hear. See , the word of the LORD has become offensive they find no pleasure
- But I am full of the LORD’s wrath ; I am tired of holding it back. “ Pour it out on the children in the street , and on the young men gathered together. For both husband and wife will be captured , the old and the very old (alike) ....
Their houses will be turned over to others , their fields and wives as well , for I will stretch out - My hand against the inhabitants of the land , ” declares the LORD.
“ For from the least of them to the greatest , all are greedy for gain ; from prophet to priest , all practice deceit.
They dress the wound of My people with very little care , saying , ‘ Peace , peace , ’ when there is no peace (at all).
Are they ashamed of the abomination - they have committed ? No , they have no shame at all ... ; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen ; when I punish them , they will collapse , ” says the LORD.
This is what the LORD says : “ Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths : ‘ Where ... (is) the good way ? ’ Then walk and you will find rest for your souls. But they said , ‘ We will not walk in it ! ’
I appointed watchmen over you (and said) , ‘ Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn. ’ But they answered , ‘ We will not listen ! ’
Therefore hear , O nations , and learn , O congregations , - what will happen
Hear , O earth ! - I am bringing disaster on this people , the fruit of their own schemes , because they have paid no attention to My word and have rejected My instruction.
What use ... is frankincense from Sheba ... or sweet cane from a distant land ? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable ... ; your sacrifices do not please
Therefore this is what the LORD ... says : “ I will lay stumbling blocks before this people ; fathers and sons alike will be staggered friends and neighbors will perish. ”
This is what the LORD says : “ Behold , an army is coming from the land of the north ; a great nation is stirred up from the ends of the earth.
They grasp the bow and spear ; they (are) cruel vvv and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea , and they ride upon horses , lined up like men in formation against you , O Daughter of Zion. ”
We have heard - the report ; our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us , pain like that of a woman in labor.
Do not go out to the fields ; do not walk the road. For the enemy has a sword ; terror is on every side.
O daughter of my people , dress yourselves in sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn with bitter wailing , as you would for an only son , for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.
“ I have appointed you to examine My people like ore , so you may know and try - their ways.
All are hardened rebels , walking around as slanderers. They are bronze and iron ; all of them are corrupt ....
The bellows blow fiercely , {blasting away} the lead with fire. The refining (proceeds) ... in vain , for the wicked are not purged.
They are called rejected silver , because the LORD has rejected