CHAPTER 6
Run for cover,
O sons
of Benjamin,
flee from
Jerusalem!
Sound
the trumpet
in Tekoa;
send up
a signal
over
Beth-haccherem,
for
disaster
looms
from the north,
even great
destruction.
Shepherds
and their flocks
will come
against her;
they will pitch
their tents
all around her,
each
tending his own portion:
“Prepare
for battle
against her;
rise up,
let us attack
at noon.
Woe to us,
for
the daylight
is fading;
the evening
shadows
grow long.
For
this is what
the LORD
of Hosts
says:
“Cut down
the trees
and raise
a siege ramp
against
Jerusalem.
This
city
must be punished;
there is nothing but
oppression
in her midst.
As a well
gushes
its water,
so
she pours out
her evil.
Violence
and destruction
resound
in her;
sickness
and wounds
are ever
before
Me.
Be warned,
O Jerusalem,
or
I
will turn away
from you;
I will make
you a desolation,
a land
without
inhabitants.”
This is what
the LORD
of Hosts
says:
“Glean the remnant
of Israel
as thoroughly
as a vine.
Pass your hand
once more
like a grape gatherer
over
the branches.”
To
whom
can I give
this warning?
Who will listen to me?
Look,
their ears
are closed,
so they cannot
hear.
See,
the word
of the LORD
has become
offensive to them;
they find no
pleasure in it.
But I am full of
the LORD’s
wrath;
I am tired
of holding it back.
Pour it out
on
the children
in the street,
and on
the young men
gathered
together.
For
both
husband
and
wife
will be captured,
the old
and
the very old.
Their houses
will be turned over
to others,
their fields
and wives
as well,
for
I will stretch out
My hand
against
the inhabitants
of the land,”
declares
the LORD.
“For
from the least of them
to
the greatest,
all
are greedy
for gain.
From prophet
to
priest,
all
practice
deceit.
They have dressed
the wound
of My people
with very little care,
saying,
‘Peace,
peace,’
when there is no
peace at all.
Were they ashamed
of the abomination
they committed?
No,
they were not
at all
ashamed.
They did not even
know
how to blush.
So
they will fall
among the fallen;
when
I punish them,
they will collapse,”
says
the LORD.
This is what
the LORD
says:
“Stand
at
the crossroads
and look.
Ask
for the ancient
paths:
Where
is the good
way?
Then walk
in it
and find
rest
for your souls.
But they said,
‘We will not
walk in it!'
I appointed
watchmen
over you and said,
‘Listen
for the sound
of the ram’s horn.’
But they answered,
‘We will not
listen!’
Hear,
O earth!
I
am bringing
disaster
on
this
people,
the fruit
of their own schemes,
for
they have paid no
attention
to
My word
and have rejected
My instruction.
What use
to Me
is frankincense
from Sheba
or sweet
cane
from a distant
land?
Your burnt offerings
are not acceptable;
your sacrifices
do not
please
Me.”
Therefore,
this is what
the LORD
says:
“I will lay
stumbling blocks
before
this
people;
fathers
and sons
alike
will be staggered;
friends
and neighbors
will perish.”
This is what
the LORD
says:
“Behold,
an army
is coming
from the land
of the north;
a great
nation
is stirred
from the ends
of the earth.
They grasp
the bow
and spear.
They
are cruel
and show no
mercy.
Their voice
roars
like the sea,
and they ride
upon
horses,
lined up
like men
in formation
against you,
O Daughter
of Zion.”
“We have heard
the reports;
our hands
are limp.
Anguish
has gripped us,
pain
like a woman in labor.
Do not
go out
to the fields;
do not
walk
the road.
For
the enemy
has a sword;
terror
is on every side.”
“O daughter
of My people,
dress
yourselves in sackcloth
and roll
in ashes.
Mourn
with bitter
wailing,
as you would
for an only son,
for
suddenly
the destroyer
will come
upon us.”
All
are hardened
rebels,
walking around
as slanderers.
They are bronze
and iron;
all
of them are corrupt.
The bellows
blow fiercely,
blasting away
the lead with fire.
The refining proceeds
in vain,
for the wicked
are not
purged.