1"Flee to safety, people of Benjamin, out of Jerusalem! Blow the trumpet in Tekoa and light a signal fire on Beth Haccherem, because disaster and great destruction are coming from the north."
2I will destroy the beautiful and delicate daughter of Zion.
3Shepherds will come against her with their flocks; they will set up their tents all around her and graze their sheep wherever they choose.
4"Prepare for war against Jerusalem! Attack her at noon. How terrible for us, for the day is fading, and the evening shadows are growing long."
5"Get up, let's attack by night and destroy her palaces!"
6For Yahweh of Armies said, "Cut down trees and build an assault ramp against Jerusalem. This is the city that must be punished; she is full of oppression within her.
7Just as a well produces its water, so she produces her wickedness. The sounds of violence and destruction echo in her; sickness and wounds are constantly before me.
8Take warning, Jerusalem, or else I will turn away from you. I will make you a desolate wasteland, a land with no inhabitants."
9Yahweh of Armies says, "They will thoroughly glean what is left of Israel like grapes on a vine. Reach out your hand again, like a grape gatherer, into the baskets."
10To whom can I speak and give a warning so they will listen? Look, their ears are closed, and they cannot hear. Look, Yahweh's word has become an insult to them; they find no joy in it.
11Therefore, I am full of Yahweh's anger; I am tired of holding it in. "Pour it out on the children in the street and on the gatherings of young men. For even husbands and wives will be taken, the elderly along with those who are very old.
12Their houses will be given to others, along with their fields and their wives. For I will stretch out my hand against the residents of the land," says Yahweh.
13"For from the least important to the most important, everyone is greedy for gain. From prophet to priest, everyone acts deceptively."
14They have treated the wounds of my people lightly, saying, 'Peace, peace!' when there is no peace.
15Were they ashamed when they did such detestable things? Not at all! They felt no shame and didn't even blush. Therefore, they will fall among those who fall; when I punish them, they will be brought down," says Yahweh.
16Yahweh says, "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask about the ancient paths, 'Which is the good way?' Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'"
17I set watchmen over you, saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But they said, 'We will not listen!'
18Therefore, listen, you nations! Know, congregations, what is happening among them.
19Listen, earth! Look, I will bring disaster on these people, the consequence of their own thoughts, because they have not listened to my words and have rejected my law.
20What good is it to me if you bring frankincense from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor are your sacrifices pleasing to me."
21Therefore, Yahweh says, "Look, I will place obstacles before these people. Fathers and sons will stumble over them together; neighbors and friends will perish."
22Yahweh says, "Look, a people are coming from the north. A great nation will rise up from the farthest parts of the earth."
23They grab bows and spears. They are cruel and show no mercy. Their voices roar like the sea, and they ride on horses, everyone lined up for battle, against you, daughter of Zion.
24We have heard the news; our hands are weak. Anguish has gripped us, like the pains of a woman in labor.
25Don't go out into the fields, and don't walk on the roads, because the enemy's sword and terror are everywhere.
26Daughter of my people, put on sackcloth and roll in ashes! Mourn as if for an only son, with the most bitter crying, because the destroyer will suddenly come upon us.
27"I have made you a metal tester and a strong tower among my people, so you can know and test their behavior."
28They are all serious rebels, spreading gossip; they are like bronze and iron: they all act corruptly.
29The bellows blow fiercely; the lead is consumed by the fire. They try to refine in vain, because the wicked are not removed.
30People will call them rejected silver, because Yahweh has rejected them.