The Enemy Besieges Jerusalem

1“Flee to safety, you people of Benjamin,

leave Jerusalem.

Sound the trumpet in Tekoa,

and raise a signal over Beth-haccerem!

For calamity and terrible destruction

are turning toward youa from the north.

2I’ll destroy the lovely and delicate

Daughter of Zion.b

3Shepherds and their flocks will come against her.

They’ll pitch their tents all around her,

and every one will tend his flock in his own place.

4Prepare for war against her.

Get ready, let’s attack at noon!

How terrible for us that the day is coming to an end,c

and that the evening shadows are lengthening.

5Get ready, let’s attack at night,

and destroy her fortresses.”d

Instructions for the Attackers

6For this is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says:

“Cut down trees and

set up siege works against Jerusalem.

It is the city to be judged,

and there is oppression throughout the entire city.e

7As a well keeps its waters fresh,f

so the cityg keeps her wickedness fresh.h

Violence and destruction are heard in her,

sickness and wounds are always before me.

8Be warned, Jerusalem,

or I’ll be alienated from you.

I’ll make you desolate,

a land not inhabited.”

9This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says:

“Let them glean the remnant of Israel

as thoroughly as they would the vine.

Pass your hand over them like grape gatherers

over the branches.

10To whom will I speak and give a warning

so they’ll listen?

Look, their ears are closed,i

and they cannot hear.

Look, this message from the LORD is contemptible to them;

they don’t delight in it.

11I’m full of the wrath of the LORD,

and I’m tired of holding it back.

Pour it out on the children in the street

and on the groups of young men gathered together.

Indeed, both husband and wife will be caught in it,

the old and the very old.

12Their houses will be turned over to others—

their fields and wives together—

when I stretch out my hand against

those who live in the land,”

declares the LORD.

13“Indeed, from the least important to the most important,

they’re all greedy for dishonest gain.

From prophet to priest,

they all act deceitfully.

14They treated my people’s wound superficially, telling them,

‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace.

15Were they ashamed because they did

what was repugnant to God?j

They were not ashamed at all—

they don’t even know how to blush!

Therefore they’ll fall with those who fall.

When I punish them, they’ll be brought down,”

says the LORD.

Israel Refuses to Repent

16This is what the LORD says:

“Stand beside the roads and watch.

Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is.

Walk in it and find rest for yourselves.

But they said, ‘We won’t walk in it!’k

17I appointed watchmen over you.

Listen for the sound of the trumpet.

But they said, ‘We won’t listen!’

18Therefore, hear, nations,

and know, congregation,

what will happen to them.l

19Listen, earth!

I’m about to bring calamity on this people,

on the fruit of their plans,

because they didn’t listen to my words

and they rejected my instruction.m

20What good is frankincense

that comes from Sheban to me,

or sweet cane from a distant country?

Your burnt offerings aren’t acceptable,

nor are your sacrifices pleasing to me.”

21Therefore, this is what the LORD says:

“I’m about to put stumbling blocks in front of this people,

and fathers and sons will stumble over them together.

The neighbor and his friends will perish.”

The Invaders from the North

22This is what the LORD says:

“Look, people are coming from a northern country.

A great nation is stirring from the ends of the earth.

23They grab bow and spear;

they’re cruel and show no mercy.

Their sound roars like the sea

as they ride on horses,

deployed like men ready for battle

against you, daughter of Zion.”

24We have heard the news about it,

and our hands are limp.

Distress has seized us

like a woman in labor.

25Don’t go out into the field,

and don’t travel on the road,

because the enemy has a sword,

and terror is on every side.

26Daughter of my people, put on sackcloth

and roll in ashes.

Mourn with bitter wailing,

as one mourns at the death ofo an only son.

For the destroyer will come on us suddenly.

People Rejected by the LORD

27“I’ve made you an assayerp of my people,

as well asq a fortress.

You know how

to test their way.”

28All of them are very rebellious,

going around as slanderers.

They’re bronze and iron,

and all of them are corrupt.

29The bellows blow fiercely to consume

the lead with the fire.

The assayerr keeps on refining,

but the impuritiess aren’t separated out.

30They’re called reject silver,

because the LORD has rejected them.