Jeremiah 6:1-7

English Standard Version

Impending Disaster for Jerusalem

6 Flee for safety, ^(A)O people of Benjamin,
    from the midst of Jerusalem!
Blow the trumpet in ^(B)Tekoa,
    and raise a signal on ^(C)Beth-haccherem,
for disaster looms ^(D)out of the north,
    and great destruction.
²The lovely and delicately bred I will destroy,
    ^(E)the daughter of Zion.^[a]
³^(F)Shepherds with their flocks shall come against her;
    ^(G)they shall pitch their tents around her;
    they shall pasture, each in his place.
⁴^(H)“Prepare war against her;
    arise, and let us attack ^(I)at noon!
Woe to us, for the day declines,
    for the shadows of evening lengthen!
⁵Arise, and let us attack by night
    and destroy her palaces!”

⁶For thus says the Lord of hosts:
^(J)“Cut down her trees;
    ^(K)cast up a siege mound against Jerusalem.
This is the city that must be ^(L)punished;
    there is nothing but oppression within her.
⁷^(M)As a well keeps its water fresh,
    so she keeps fresh her evil;
^(N)violence and destruction are heard within her;
    sickness and wounds are ever before me.