1 “O you children of Benjamin,Gather yourselves to flee from the midst of Jerusalem!Blow the trumpet in Tekoa,And set up a signal-fire in Beth Haccerem;For disaster appears out of the north,And great destruction.
2 I have likened the daughter of ZionTo a lovely and delicate woman.
3 The shepherds with their flocks shall come to her.They shall pitch their tents against her all around.Each one shall pasture in his own place.”
4 “Prepare war against her;Arise, and let us go up at noon.Woe to us, for the day goes away,For the shadows of the evening are lengthening.
5 Arise, and let us go by night,And let us destroy her palaces.”
6 For thus has the Lord of hosts said:“Cut down trees,And build a mound against Jerusalem.This is the city to be punished.She is full of oppression in her midst.
7 As a fountain wells up with water,So she wells up with her wickedness.Violence and plundering are heard in her.Before Me continually are grief and wounds.