Jerusalem Under Siege

“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.
I will destroy Daughter Zion,(E)
    so beautiful and delicate.(F)
Shepherds(G) with their flocks will come against her;
    they will pitch their tents around(H) her,
    each tending his own portion.”

“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.
So arise, let us attack at night
    and destroy her fortresses!”

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)
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.
Take warning, Jerusalem,
    or I will turn away(O) from you
and make your land desolate
    so no one can live in it.”

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The Enemy Besieges Jerusalem

“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.
I’ll destroy the lovely and delicate
    Daughter of Zion.[b]
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.
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.
Get ready, let’s attack at night,
    and destroy her fortresses.”[d]

Instructions for the Attackers

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]
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.
Be warned, Jerusalem,
    or I’ll be alienated from you.
I’ll make you desolate,
    a land not inhabited.”

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 6:1 The Heb. lacks toward you
  2. Jeremiah 6:2 I.e. Jerusalem
  3. Jeremiah 6:4 Lit. is turning
  4. Jeremiah 6:5 Or palaces
  5. Jeremiah 6:6 Lit. through her
  6. Jeremiah 6:7 Or cool
  7. Jeremiah 6:7 Lit. she
  8. Jeremiah 6:7 Or cool