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Jeremiah 6:1-8
New International Version
Jeremiah 6:1-8
New International Version
Jerusalem Under Siege
6 “Flee for safety, people of Benjamin!
Flee from Jerusalem!
Sound the trumpet(A) in Tekoa!(B)
Raise the signal over Beth Hakkerem!(C)
For disaster looms out of the north,(D)
even terrible destruction.
2 I will destroy Daughter Zion,(E)
so beautiful and delicate.(F)
3 Shepherds(G) with their flocks will come against her;
they will pitch their tents around(H) her,
each tending his own portion.”
4 “Prepare for battle against her!
Arise, let us attack at noon!(I)
But, alas, the daylight is fading,
and the shadows of evening grow long.
5 So arise, let us attack at night
and destroy her fortresses!”
6 This is what the Lord Almighty says:
“Cut down the trees(J)
and build siege ramps(K) against Jerusalem.
This city must be punished;
it is filled with oppression.(L)
7 As a well pours out its water,
so she pours out her wickedness.
Violence(M) and destruction(N) resound in her;
her sickness and wounds are ever before me.
8 Take warning, Jerusalem,
or I will turn away(O) from you
and make your land desolate
so no one can live in it.”
Jeremiah 6:1-8
International Standard Version
Jeremiah 6:1-8
International Standard Version
The Enemy Besieges Jerusalem
6 “Flee to safety, you people of Benjamin,
leave Jerusalem.
Sound the trumpet in Tekoa,
and raise a signal over Beth-haccerem!
For calamity and terrible destruction
are turning toward you[a] from the north.
2 I’ll destroy the lovely and delicate
Daughter of Zion.[b]
3 Shepherds and their flocks will come against her.
They’ll pitch their tents all around her,
and every one will tend his flock in his own place.
4 Prepare for war against her.
Get ready, let’s attack at noon!
How terrible for us that the day is coming to an end,[c]
and that the evening shadows are lengthening.
5 Get ready, let’s attack at night,
and destroy her fortresses.”[d]
Instructions for the Attackers
6 For this is what the Lord of the Heavenly Armies says:
“Cut down trees and
set up siege works against Jerusalem.
It is the city to be judged,
and there is oppression throughout the entire city.[e]
7 As a well keeps its waters fresh,[f]
so the city[g] keeps her wickedness fresh.[h]
Violence and destruction are heard in her,
sickness and wounds are always before me.
8 Be warned, Jerusalem,
or I’ll be alienated from you.
I’ll make you desolate,
a land not inhabited.”
Footnotes
- Jeremiah 6:1 The Heb. lacks toward you
- Jeremiah 6:2 I.e. Jerusalem
- Jeremiah 6:4 Lit. is turning
- Jeremiah 6:5 Or palaces
- Jeremiah 6:6 Lit. through her
- Jeremiah 6:7 Or cool
- Jeremiah 6:7 Lit. she
- Jeremiah 6:7 Or cool
Jeremiah 6:1-8
King James Version
Jeremiah 6:1-8
King James Version
6 O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.
2 I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman.
3 The shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her; they shall pitch their tents against her round about; they shall feed every one in his place.
4 Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out.
5 Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces.
6 For thus hath the Lord of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.
7 As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually is grief and wounds.
8 Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.
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International Standard Version (ISV) 
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