1. “Take cover, people of Benjamin!Run away from Jerusalem!Blow the ram’s horn in Tekoa.Raise the flag over Beth Hakkerem,because disaster and widespread destructionare coming from the north.
2. “My people Zion are like lovely pastures.
3. With their flocks, shepherds will come to them,pitch their tents all around them,and each of them will tend his own flock.
4. ⌊The shepherds say,⌋ ‘Prepare yourselves for war against Zion.Let’s attack at noon!How horrible it will be for us. The day is passing,and the shadows of evening are growing longer.
5. Let’s attack at night and destroy its palaces.’ ”
6. This is what the Lord of Armies says:Cut down its trees.Build up dirt mounds to attack Jerusalem.This city must be punished.There is nothing but oppression in it.
7. As a well keeps its water fresh,so Jerusalem keeps its evil fresh.Violence and destruction can be heard in it.I see that it is sick and wounded.
8. Pay attention to my warning, Jerusalem,or I will turn away from you.I will make your land desolate,a land where no one will live.
9. This is what the Lord of Armies says:Thoroughly pick through the faithful few of Israellike someone picks through a grapevine.Like someone picking grapes, pass your hand over its branches again.
10. Whom can I speak to?Whom can I give a warning to?Who will listen?Their ears are plugged,and they aren’t able to pay attention.When the Lord speaks his word to them,they show contempt for it and object to it.
11. I am filled with the anger of the Lord.I am tired of holding it in.“Pour it out on the children in the streetand on the gangs of young men.A man and his wife will be taken awayas well as very old people.
12. Their households, their fields, and their wiveswill be turned over to others.I will use my power against those who live in the land,”declares the Lord.