1 ‘Flee for safety, people of Benjamin!Flee from Jerusalem!Sound the trumpet in Tekoa!Raise the signal over Beth Hakkerem!For disaster looms out of the north,even terrible destruction.
2 I will destroy Daughter Zion,so beautiful and delicate.
3 Shepherds with their flocks will come against her;they will pitch their tents round her,each tending his own portion.’
4 ‘Prepare for battle against her!Arise, let us attack at noon!But, alas, the daylight is fading,and the shadows of evening grow long.
5 So arise, let us attack at nightand destroy her fortresses!’
6 This is what the Lord Almighty says:‘Cut down the treesand build siege ramps against Jerusalem.This city must be punished;it is filled with oppression.
7 As a well pours out its water,so she pours out her wickedness.Violence and destruction resound in her;her sickness and wounds are ever before me.