Jeremiah 6:22-26

International Children’s Bible

“Look, an army is coming
    from the land of the north.
A great nation is coming
    from the far sides of the earth.
²³ The soldiers carry bows and spears.
    They are cruel and show no mercy.
They sound like the roaring ocean
    when they ride their horses.
That army is coming lined up for battle.
    It is coming to attack you, Jerusalem.”

²⁴ We have heard the news about that army.
    We are helpless from fear.
We feel trapped by our troubles.
    We are in pain like a woman having a baby.
²⁵ Don’t go out into the fields.
    Don’t walk down the roads!
This is because the enemy has swords.
    There is terror on every side.
²⁶ My people, put on rough cloth
    and roll in the ashes to show how sad you are.
Cry loudly for those who are dead.
    Cry as if your only son had died.
Do it because the destroyer
    will soon come against us.