1 Flee for safety, O children of Benjamin, from the midst of Jerusalem. And in Tekoa blow a horn, and on Beth-haccherem lift up a signal, for evil looks down from the north, and a great destruction.
2 The lovely and the delicate, the daughter of Jerusalem, I will destroy.
3 Shepherds and their flocks will come against her, they will pitch their tents against her all around, they will pasture, each his portion.
4 Sanctify war against her. Arise, and let us attack at noon. Woe to us, for the day turns, for the shadows of evening are lengthened.
5 Arise, and let us attack by night, and let us destroy her citadel fortresses.”
6 For thus says Yahweh of hosts, “Cut down trees and heap up a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This is the city that must be punished, its oppression is in its midst.
7 As a water well keeps its water cool, so she keeps cool her wickedness. Violence and destruction are heard within her, sickness and wounds are continually before me.