The Coming Destruction of Jerusalem

“Flee to safety, you sons of (A)Benjamin,
From the midst of Jerusalem!
Blow a trumpet in Tekoa
And raise a warning signal over [a](B)Beth-haccerem;
For evil looks down from the (C)north,
Along with a great destruction.
The beautiful and (D)delicate one, (E)the daughter of Zion, I will destroy.
(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.
[d](H)Prepare for war against her;
Arise, and let’s [e]attack at (I)noon.
Woe to us, for the day declines,
For the shadows of the evening lengthen!
Arise, and let’s [f]attack by night
And (J)destroy her [g]palaces!’”
For this is what the Lord of armies says:
(K)Cut down her trees
And pile up an (L)assault ramp against Jerusalem.
This is the city to be punished,
In whose midst there is only (M)oppression.
(N)As a well [h]keeps its waters fresh,
So she [i]keeps fresh her wickedness.
(O)Violence and destruction are heard in her;
(P)Sickness and wounds are constantly before Me.
(Q)Be warned, Jerusalem,
Or [j](R)I shall be alienated from you,
And make you a desolation,
An uninhabited land.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 6:1 I.e., house of the vineyard
  2. Jeremiah 6:3 Lit against her round about
  3. Jeremiah 6:3 Lit hand
  4. Jeremiah 6:4 Lit Sanctify war
  5. Jeremiah 6:4 Lit go up
  6. Jeremiah 6:5 Lit go up
  7. Jeremiah 6:5 Or fortified towers
  8. Jeremiah 6:7 Lit keeps cold
  9. Jeremiah 6:7 Lit keeps cold
  10. Jeremiah 6:8 Lit my soul

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.”

Read full chapter

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