Jeremiah 6:1–8

Flee for safety, O children of Benjamin,

from the midst of Jerusalem.

And in Tekoa blow a horn,

and on Beth-haccherem lift up a signal,

for evil looks down from the north,

and a great destruction.

2 The lovely and the delicate,

the daughter of Jerusalem, I will destroy.

3 Shepherds and their flocks will come against her,

they will pitch their tents against her all around,

they will pasture, each his ⌊portion⌋.a

4 ⌊Sanctify⌋b 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.

7 As a water well keeps its water cool,

so she keeps cool her wickedness.

Violence and destruction are heard within her,

sickness and woundsc are continually ⌊before me⌋.d

8 Be warned, O Jerusalem,

lest I turn away from you in disgust,

lest I make you a desolation,

a land that is not inhabited.”