The Enemy from the North

22 This is what the Lord says:
“Behold, there is (A)a people coming from the north land,
And a great nation will be stirred up from the (B)remote parts of the earth.
23 They seize (C)bow and spear;
They are (D)cruel and have no mercy;
Their voice (E)roars like the sea,
And they ride on horses,
Lined up as a man for the battle
Against you, daughter of Zion!”
24 We have (F)heard the report of it;
Our hands are limp.
(G)Anguish has seized us,
Pain like that of a woman in childbirth.
25 (H)Do not go out into the field,
And (I)do not walk on the road;
For the enemy has a sword,
(J)Terror is on every side.
26 Daughter of my people, (K)put on sackcloth
And (L)roll in ashes;
[a](M)Mourn as for an only son,
A most bitter mourning.
For suddenly the destroyer
Will come against us.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 6:26 Lit Make for yourself mourning

22 Thus says the Lord:
See, a people is coming from the land of the north;
    a great nation is stirring from the farthest parts of the earth.(A)
23 They grasp the bow and the javelin;
    they are cruel and have no mercy;
    their sound is like the roaring sea;
they ride on horses,
    equipped like a warrior for battle,
    against you, O daughter Zion!(B)

24 “We have heard news of them;
    our hands fall helpless;
anguish has taken hold of us,
    pain as of a woman in labor.(C)
25 Do not go out into the field
    or walk on the road,
for the enemy has a sword;
    terror is on every side.”(D)

26 O daughter of my people, put on sackcloth
    and roll in ashes;
make mourning as for an only child,
    most bitter lamentation,
for suddenly the destroyer
    will come upon us.(E)

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