1. Run for your lives,people of Benjamin.Get out of Jerusalem.Sound a trumpet in Tekoaand light a signal firein Beth-Haccherem.Soon you will be struckby disaster from the north.
2-3. Jerusalem is a lovely pasture,but shepherds will surround itand divide it up,then let their flockseat all the grass.
4. Kings will tell their troops,“If we reach Jerusalemin the morning,we'll attack at midday.But if we arrive later,
5. we'll attack after darkand destroy its fortresses.”
6. I am the Lord All-Powerful,and I will command these armiesto chop down treesand build a ramp up to the wallsof Jerusalem.People of Jerusalem,I must punish youfor your injustice.
7. Evil pours from your citylike water from a spring.Sounds of violent crimesecho within your walls;victims are everywhere,wounded and dying.
8. Listen to me,you people of Jerusalemand Judah.I will abandon you,and your land will becomean empty desert.
9. I will tell your enemiesto leave your nation barelike a vine stripped of grapes.I, the Lord All-Powerful,have spoken.
10. I have told the peoplethat you, Lord,will punish them,but they just laughand refuse to listen.
11. Your anger against Judahflames up inside me,and I can't hold it inmuch longer.Don't hold back my anger!Let it sweep away everyone—the children at playand all adults,young and old alike.