6 Flee for safety, O children of Benjamin,
    from the midst of Jerusalem.
And in Tekoa blow a horn,
    and on Beth-haccherem lift up a signal,
for evil looks down from the north,
    and a great destruction.
² The lovely and the delicate,
    the daughter of Jerusalem, I will destroy.
³ Shepherds and their flocks will come against her,
    they will pitch their tents against her all around,
    they will pasture, each his portion.^[a]
4 Sanctify^[b] war against her.
    Arise, and let us attack at noon.
Woe to us, for the day turns,
    for the shadows of evening are lengthened.
⁵ Arise, and let us attack by night,
    and let us destroy her citadel fortresses.”
⁶ For thus says Yahweh of hosts,
    “Cut down trees and heap up a siege ramp against Jerusalem.
This is the city that must be punished,
    its oppression is in its midst.
⁷ As a water well keeps its water cool,
    so she keeps cool her wickedness.
Violence and destruction are heard within her,
    sickness and wounds^[c] are continually before me.^[d]
8 Be warned, O Jerusalem,
    lest I turn away from you in disgust,
lest I make you a desolation,
    a land that is not inhabited.”