Jeremiah 6:1-8

International Children’s Bible

Jerusalem Is Surrounded

6 “Run for your lives, people of Benjamin!
    Run away from Jerusalem!
Blow the war trumpet in the town of Tekoa!
    Raise the warning flag over the town of Beth Hakkerem!
Disaster is coming from the north.
    Terrible destruction is coming to you.
²Jerusalem, I will destroy you.
    You are fragile and gentle.
³Shepherds with their flocks will come against Jerusalem.
    They will set up their tents all around her.
    Each shepherd will take care of his own section.”
⁴They say, “Get ready to fight against Jerusalem!
    Get up! We will attack at noon!
But it is already getting late.
    The evening shadows are growing long.
⁵So get up! We will attack at night.
    We will destroy the strong towers of Jerusalem!”

⁶This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says:

“Cut down the trees around Jerusalem.
    Build an attack ramp to the top of Jerusalem’s walls.
This city must be punished!
    Inside this city is nothing but slavery.
⁷Jerusalem pours out her evil
    as a well pours out its water.
The sounds of violence and destruction are heard within her.
    I can see the sickness and hurts of Jerusalem.
⁸Listen to this warning, Jerusalem.
    If you don’t listen, I will turn my back on you.
I will make your land an empty desert.
    No one will be able to live there!”