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Siege of Jerusalem

O sons of Benjamin, gather yourselves
    to flee from the midst of Jerusalem,
and blow the trumpet in Tekoa,
    and set up a sign of fire in Beth Hakkerem;
for disaster appears out of the north,
    and great destruction.
I have likened the daughter of Zion
    to a comely and delicate woman.
The shepherds with their flocks will come to her.
    They will pitch their tents against her all around.
    They will pasture each in his place.

“Prepare war against her;
    arise, and let us go up at noon.”
“Woe to us, for the day declines,
    for the shadows of the evening are stretched out.”
“Arise, and let us go by night
    and let us destroy her palaces.”

For thus says the Lord of Hosts:

Hew down trees
    and build a mound against Jerusalem.
This is the city to be punished.
    She is full of oppression in her midst.
As a fountain casts out her waters,
    so she casts out her wickedness.
Violence and devastation are heard in her;
    before Me continually are grief and wounds.
Be instructed, O Jerusalem,
    lest My soul depart from you;
lest I make you desolate,
    a land not inhabited.

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