6 “Flee for safety, O sons of ^(A)Benjamin,
From the midst of Jerusalem!
Now blow a trumpet in Tekoa
And raise a signal over ^[a](B)Beth-haccerem,
For evil looks down from the ^(C)north,
As well as great destruction.
² The comely and ^(D)delicate one, ^(E)the daughter of Zion, I will ruin.
^3 (F)Shepherds and their flocks will come to her;
They will ^(G)pitch their tents ^[b]around her;
They will pasture each in his ^[c]place.
^4 (H)Set yourselves apart for war against her;
Arise, and let us go up at ^(I)noon.
Woe to us, for the day declines,
For the shadows of the evening stretch out!
⁵ Arise, and let us go up by night
And ^[d](J)destroy her ^[e]palaces!”
⁶ For thus says Yahweh of hosts,
“^(K)Cut down her trees
And cast up a ^(L)siege against Jerusalem.
This is the city to be punished,
In whose midst there is only ^(M)oppression.
^7 (N)Like a well ^[f]keeps its waters fresh,
So she ^[g]keeps fresh her evil.
^(O)Violence and devastation are heard in her;
^(P)Sickness and wounds are continually before Me.
^8 (Q)Heed discipline, O Jerusalem,
Lest ^(R)My soul become disgusted at you,
Lest I make you a desolation,
A land not inhabited.”