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1“Flee for safety , you children of Benjamin , out of the middle of Jerusalem ! Blow the trumpet in Tekoa and raise up a signal on Beth Haccherem, for evil looks out from the north with a great destruction .
2I will cut off the beautiful and delicate one, the daughter of Zion .
3Shepherds with their flocks will come to her . They will pitch their tents against her all around . They will feed everyone in his place .”
4“Prepare war against her ! Arise ! Let ’s go up at noon . Woe to us ! For the day declines , for the shadows of the evening are stretched out .
5Arise ! Let’s go up by night , and let’s destroy her palaces.”
6For the LORD of Armies said, “Cut down trees , and cast up a mound against Jerusalem . This is the city to be visited . She is filled with oppression within herself .
7As a well produces its waters , so she produces her wickedness . Violence and destruction is heard in her . Sickness and wounds are continually before me .
8Be instructed , Jerusalem , lest my soul be alienated from you , lest I make you a desolation , an uninhabited land.”
9The LORD of Armies says , “They will thoroughly glean the remnant of Israel like a vine . Turn again your hand as a grape gatherer into the baskets .”
10To whom should I speak and testify , that they may hear ? Behold , their ear is uncircumcised , and they can ’t listen . Behold , the LORD ’s word has become a reproach to them . They have no delight in it .
11Therefore I am full of the LORD ’s wrath . I am weary with holding it in .
“Pour it out on the children in the street ,
and on the assembly of young men together ;
for even the husband with the wife will be taken ,
the aged with him who is full of days .
12Their houses will be turned to others,
their fields and their wives together ;
for I will stretch out my hand on the inhabitants of the land , says the LORD .”
13“For from their least even to their greatest , everyone is given to covetousness .
From the prophet even to the priest , everyone deals falsely .
14They have healed also the hurt of my people superficially ,
saying, ‘Peace , peace !’ when there is no peace .
15Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination ?
No , they were not at all ashamed , neither could they blush .
Therefore they will fall amongst those who fall .
When I visit them , they will be cast down ,” says the LORD .
16The LORD says , “Stand in the ways and see , and ask for the old paths , ‘Where is the good way ?’ and walk in it , and you will find rest for your souls . But they said, ‘We will not walk in it .’
17I set watchmen over you , saying , ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet !’ But they said, ‘We will not listen !’
18Therefore hear , you nations , and know , congregation , what is amongst them .
19Hear , earth! Behold , I will bring evil on this people , even the fruit of their thoughts , because they have not listened to my words ; and as for my law , they have rejected it .
20To what purpose does frankincense from Sheba come to me , and the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable , and your sacrifices are not pleasing to me .”
21Therefore the LORD says , “Behold , I will lay stumbling blocks before this people . The fathers and the sons together will stumble against them . The neighbour and his friend will perish.”
22The LORD says , “Behold , a people comes from the north country. A great nation will be stirred up from the uttermost parts of the earth.
23They take hold of bow and spear . They are cruel, and have no mercy . Their voice roars like the sea , and they ride on horses , everyone set in array , as a man to the battle , against you , daughter of Zion .”
24We have heard its report . Our hands become feeble . Anguish has taken hold of us , and pains as of a woman in labour .
25Don’t go out into the field or walk by the way ; for the sword of the enemy and terror are on every side .
26Daughter of my people , clothe yourself with sackcloth , and wallow in ashes! Mourn , as for an only son , most bitter lamentation , for the destroyer will suddenly come on us .
27“I have made you a tester of metals and a fortress amongst my people , that you may know and try their way .
28They are all grievous rebels , going around to slander. They are bronze and iron . All of them deal corruptly .
29The bellows blow fiercely . The lead is consumed in the fire. In vain they go on refining , for the wicked are not plucked away .
30Men will call them rejected silver , because the LORD has rejected them .”