Jeremiah 4:13–22

¹³Look, he advances like clouds; ⁱ

his chariots are like a storm. ^j

His horses are swifter than eagles. ^k

Woe to us, for we are ruined! ^l

¹⁴Wash the evil from your heart, ^mJerusalem,

so that you will be delivered.

How long will you harbor

malicious thoughts within you? ⁿ

¹⁵For a voice announces from Dan,

proclaiming malice from Mount Ephraim.

¹⁶Warn the nations: Look!

Proclaim to Jerusalem:

Those who besiege are coming

from a distant land; ^o

they raise their voices

against the cities of Judah.

¹⁷They have her surrounded ^p

like those who guard a field,

because she has rebelled against Me. ^q

This is the Lord’s declaration.

¹⁸Your way of life and your actions

have brought this on you. ^r

This is your punishment. It is very bitter,

because it has reached your heart!

Jeremiah’s Lament

¹⁹My anguish, my anguish! ^sI writhe in agony!

Oh, the pain in ^tmy heart! ^u

My heart pounds;

I cannot be silent.

For you, my soul,

have heard the sound of the ram’s horn—

the shout of battle.

²⁰Disaster after disaster ^vis reported

because the whole land is destroyed.

Suddenly my tents are destroyed,

my tent curtains, in a moment.

²¹How long must I see the signal flag

and hear the sound of the ram’s horn?

²²“For My people are fools;

they do not know Me.

They are foolish children,

without understanding. ^w

They are skilled in doing what is evil,

but they do not know how to do what is good.” ^x