1 "Flee for safety, people of Benjamin!
Flee from Jerusalem!
Sound the trumpet in Tekoa!
Raise the signal over Beth Hakkerem!
For disaster looms out of the north,
even terrible destruction. |
2 I will destroy the Daughter of Zion,
so beautiful and delicate. |
3 Shepherds with their flocks will come against her;
they will pitch their tents around her,
each tending his own portion." |
4 "Prepare for battle against her!
Arise, let us attack at noon!
But, alas, the daylight is fading,
and the shadows of evening grow long. |
5 So arise, let us attack at night
and destroy her fortresses!" |
6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: |
7 As a well pours out its water,
so she pours out her wickedness.
Violence and destruction resound in her;
her sickness and wounds are ever before me. |
8 Take warning, O Jerusalem,
or I will turn away from you
and make your land desolate
so no one can live in it." |
9 This is what the LORD Almighty says: |
10 To whom can I speak and give warning?
Who will listen to me?
Their ears are closed1 6:10 Hebrew uncircumcised
so they cannot hear.
The word of the LORD is offensive to them;
they find no pleasure in it. |
11 But I am full of the wrath of the LORD ,
and I cannot hold it in. |
12 Their houses will be turned over to others,
together with their fields and their wives,
when I stretch out my hand
against those who live in the land,"
declares the LORD . |
13 "From the least to the greatest,
all are greedy for gain;
prophets and priests alike,
all practice deceit. |
14 They dress the wound of my people
as though it were not serious.
'Peace, peace,' they say,
when there is no peace. |
15 Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct?
No, they have no shame at all;
they do not even know how to blush.
So they will fall among the fallen;
they will be brought down when I punish them,"
says the LORD . |
16 This is what the LORD says: |
17 I appointed watchmen over you and said,
'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!'
But you said, 'We will not listen.' |
18 Therefore hear, O nations;
observe, O witnesses,
what will happen to them. |
19 Hear, O earth:
I am bringing disaster on this people,
the fruit of their schemes,
because they have not listened to my words
and have rejected my law. |
20 What do I care about incense from Sheba
or sweet calamus from a distant land?
Your burnt offerings are not acceptable;
your sacrifices do not please me." |
21 Therefore this is what the LORD says: |
22 This is what the LORD says: |
23 They are armed with bow and spear;
they are cruel and show no mercy.
They sound like the roaring sea
as they ride on their horses;
they come like men in battle formation
to attack you, O Daughter of Zion." |
24 We have heard reports about them,
and our hands hang limp.
Anguish has gripped us,
pain like that of a woman in labor. |
25 Do not go out to the fields
or walk on the roads,
for the enemy has a sword,
and there is terror on every side. |
26 O my people, put on sackcloth
and roll in ashes;
mourn with bitter wailing
as for an only son,
for suddenly the destroyer
will come upon us. |
27 "I have made you a tester of metals
and my people the ore,
that you may observe
and test their ways. |
28 They are all hardened rebels,
going about to slander.
They are bronze and iron;
they all act corruptly. |
29 The bellows blow fiercely
to burn away the lead with fire,
but the refining goes on in vain;
the wicked are not purged out. |
30 They are called rejected silver,
because the LORD has rejected them." |
