1 “Take cover, people of Benjamin!Run away from Jerusalem!Blow the ram’s horn in Tekoa.Raise the flag over Beth Hakkerem,because disaster and widespread destructionare coming from the north.
2 “My people Zion are like lovely pastures.
3 With their flocks, shepherds will come to them,pitch their tents all around them,and each of them will tend his own flock.
4 ⌊The shepherds say,⌋ ‘Prepare yourselves for war against Zion.Let’s attack at noon!How horrible it will be for us. The day is passing,and the shadows of evening are growing longer.
5 Let’s attack at night and destroy its palaces.’ ”
6 This is what the Lord of Armies says:Cut down its trees.Build up dirt mounds to attack Jerusalem.This city must be punished.There is nothing but oppression in it.