4 “Prepare for battle against her!

Arise, let us attack at noon!

But, alas, the daylight is fading,

and the shadows of evening grow long.

5 So arise, let us attack at night

and destroy her fortresses!”

6 This is what the Lord Almighty says:

“Cut down the trees

and build siege ramps against Jerusalem.

This city must be punished;

it is filled with oppression.

4 Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out. 5 Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces. 6 For thus hath the Lord of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.

4 They shout, ‘Prepare for battle!

Attack at noon!’

‘No, it’s too late; the day is fading,

and the evening shadows are falling.’

5 ‘Well then, let’s attack at night

and destroy her palaces!’ ”

6 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says:

“Cut down the trees for battering rams.

Build siege ramps against the walls of Jerusalem.

This is the city to be punished,

for she is wicked through and through.

4 “Prepare war against her;

Arise, and let us go up at noon.

Woe to us, for the day goes away,

For the shadows of the evening are lengthening.

5 Arise, and let us go by night,

And let us destroy her palaces.”

6 For thus has the Lord of hosts said:

“Cut down trees,

And build a mound against Jerusalem.

This is the city to be punished.

She is full of oppression in her midst.

4 They say, “Get ready to fight against Jerusalem!

Get up! We will attack at noon!

But it is already getting late;

the evening shadows are growing long.

5 So get up! We will attack at night.

We will destroy the strong towers of Jerusalem!”

6 This is what the Lord All-Powerful says:

“Cut down the trees around Jerusalem,

and build an attack ramp to the top of its walls.

This city must be punished.

Inside it is nothing but slavery.

4 Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day declineth, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out. 5 Arise, and let us go up by night, and let us destroy her palaces. 6 For thus hath Jehovah of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast up a mound against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.

4 Prepare war against her. Arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day hath declined, for the shadows of the evening are lengthening. 5 Arise, and let us go up by night, and let us destroy her palaces. 6 For thus hath Jehovah of hosts said: Hew ye down trees, and cast a mound against Jerusalem. She is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.

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. 

4 Set them apart for war against her;

rise up, let’s attack at noon.

Woe to us, for the day is passing;

the evening shadows grow long.

5 Rise up, let’s attack by night.

Let us destroy her fortresses.”

6 For this is what the Lord of Hosts says:

Cut down the trees;

raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem.

This city must be punished.

There is nothing but oppression within her.

4 “Prepare war against her;

up, and let us attack at noon!”

“Woe to us, for the day declines,

the shadows of evening lengthen!”

5 “Up, and let us attack by night,

and destroy her palaces!”

6 For thus says the Lord of hosts:

Cut down her trees;

cast up a siege ramp against Jerusalem.

This is the city that must be punished;

there is nothing but oppression within her.

4 Sanctify war against her.

Arise, and let us attack at noon.

Woe to us, for the day turns,

for the shadows of evening are lengthened.

5 Arise, and let us attack by night,

and let us destroy her citadel fortresses.”

6 For thus says Yahweh of hosts,

“Cut down trees and heap up a siege ramp against Jerusalem.

This is the city that must be punished,

its oppression is in its midst.

4 The Babylonians say, “Prepare for battle against Judah!

Get up! Let’s attack them at noon!

But the daylight is fading.

The shadows of evening are getting longer.

5 So get up! Let’s attack them at night!

Let’s destroy their strongest forts!”

6 The Lord who rules over all speaks to the Babylonians. He says,

“Cut some trees down.

Use the wood to build ramps against Jerusalem’s walls.

I must punish that city.

It is filled with people who treat others badly.

4 “Prepare war against her;

Arise, and let us attack at noon.

Woe to us, for the day declines,

For the shadows of the evening lengthen!

5 “Arise, and let us attack by night

And destroy her palaces!”

6 For thus says the Lord of hosts,

“Cut down her trees

And cast up a siege against Jerusalem.

This is the city to be punished,

In whose midst there is only oppression.