6 Flee for safety, O people of Benjamin,
    from the midst of Jerusalem!
Blow the trumpet in Teko′a,
    and raise a signal on Beth-hacche′rem;
for evil looms out of the north,
    and great destruction.
² The comely and delicately bred I will destroy,
    the daughter of Zion.
³ Shepherds with their flocks shall come against her;
    they shall pitch their tents around her,
    they shall pasture, each in his place.
⁴ “Prepare war against her;
    up, and let us attack at noon!”
“Woe to us, for the day declines,
    for the shadows of evening lengthen!”
⁵ “Up, and let us attack by night,
    and destroy her palaces!”

“Hew down her trees;
    cast up a siege mound against Jerusalem.
This is the city which must be punished;
    there is nothing but oppression within her.
⁷ As a well keeps its water fresh,
    so she keeps fresh her wickedness;
violence and destruction are heard within her;
    sickness and wounds are ever before me.
⁸ Be warned, O Jerusalem,
    lest I be alienated from you;
lest I make you a desolation,
    an uninhabited land.”