[1] Flee for safety, you children of Benjamin, out of the midst of
Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and raise up a signal on
Beth-haccherem; for evil looks forth from the north, and a great
destruction. [2] The comely and delicate one, the daughter of Zion, will I
cut off. [3] Shepherds with their flocks shall come to her; they shall
pitch their tents against her round about; they shall feed everyone in his
place. [4] Prepare you war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon.
Woe to us! for the day declines, for the shadows of the evening are
stretched out. [5] Arise, and let us go up by night, and let us destroy her
palaces. [6] For thus has Yahweh of Hosts said, Hew you down trees, and
cast up a mound against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is
wholly oppression in the midst of her. [7] As a well casts forth its
waters, so she casts forth her wickedness: violence and destruction is
heard in her; before me continually is sickness and wounds. [8] Be you
instructed, Jerusalem, lest my soul be alienated from you; lest I make you
a desolation, a land not inhabited. [9] Thus says Yahweh of Hosts, They
shall thoroughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn again your
hand as a grape-gatherer into the baskets. [10] To whom shall I speak and
testify, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they
can`t listen: behold, the word of Yahweh is become to them a reproach; they
have no delight in it. [11] Therefore I am full of the wrath of Yahweh; I
am weary with holding 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
shall be taken, the aged with him who is full of days. [12] Their houses
shall be turned to others, their fields and their wives together; for I
will stretch out my hand on the inhabitants of the land, says Yahweh. [13]
For from the least of them even to the greatest of them everyone is given
to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals
falsely. [14] They have healed also the hurt of my people slightly, saying,
Peace, peace; when there is no peace. [15] Were they ashamed when they had
committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could
they blush: therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time
that I visit them they shall be cast down, says Yahweh. [16] Thus says
Yahweh, Stand you in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is
the good way; and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls: but
they said, We will not walk [therein]. [17] I set watchmen over you,
[saying], Listen to the sound of the trumpet; but they said, We will not
listen. [18] Therefore hear, you nations, and know, congregation, what is
among them. [19] Hear, 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. [20] To what purpose comes
there to me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country?
your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing to
me. [21] Therefore thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will lay stumbling-blocks
before this people; and the fathers and the sons together shall stumble
against them; the neighbor and his friend shall perish. [22] Thus says
Yahweh, Behold, a people comes from the north country; and a great nation
shall be stirred up from the uttermost parts of the earth. [23] They lay
hold on 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. [24] We have heard the report of
it; our hands wax feeble: anguish has taken hold of us, [and] pangs as of a
woman in travail. [25] Don`t go forth into the field, nor walk by the way;
for the sword of the enemy, [and] terror, are on every side. [26] Daughter
of my people, gird you with sackcloth, and wallow yourself in ashes: make
you mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation; for the
destroyer shall suddenly come on us. [27] I have made you a tester of
metals [and] a fortress among my people; that you may know and try their
way. [28] They are all grievous rebels, going about with slanders; they are
brass and iron: they all of them deal corruptly. [29] The bellows blow
fiercely; the lead is consumed of the fire: in vain do they go on refining;
for the wicked are not plucked away. [30] Refuse silver shall men them,
because Yahweh has rejected them.