Jeremiah 4:11–17

At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A hot wind from the bare heights in the desert toward the daughter of my people, not to winnow or cleanse, a wind too full for this comes for me. Now it is I who speak in judgment upon them.”

Behold, he comes up like clouds;

his chariots like the whirlwind;

his horses are swifter than eagles—

woe to us, for we are ruined!

O Jerusalem, wash your heart from evil,

that you may be saved.

How long shall your wicked thoughts

lodge within you?

For a voice declares from Dan

and proclaims trouble from Mount Ephraim.

Warn the nations that he is coming;

announce to Jerusalem,

“Besiegers come from a distant land;

they shout against the cities of Judah.

Like keepers of a field are they against her all around,

because she has rebelled against me,

declares the Lord.

At that time this people and Jerusalem will be told, “A scorching wind from the barren heights in the desert blows toward my people, but not to winnow or cleanse; a wind too strong for that comes from me. Now I pronounce my judgments against them.”

Look! He advances like the clouds,

his chariots come like a whirlwind,

his horses are swifter than eagles.

Woe to us! We are ruined!

Jerusalem, wash the evil from your heart and be saved.

How long will you harbor wicked thoughts?

A voice is announcing from Dan,

proclaiming disaster from the hills of Ephraim.

“Tell this to the nations,

proclaim concerning Jerusalem:

‘A besieging army is coming from a distant land,

raising a war cry against the cities of Judah.

They surround her like men guarding a field,

because she has rebelled against me,’ ”

declares the Lord.

“At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, ‘A searing wind blows from the barren heights in the wilderness on the way to my dear people. It comes not to winnow or to sift; a wind too strong for this comes at my call. Now I will also pronounce judgments against them.’ ”

Look, he advances like clouds;

his chariots are like a storm.

His horses are swifter than eagles.

Woe to us, for we are ruined!

Wash the evil from your heart, Jerusalem,

so that you will be delivered.

How long will you harbor

malicious thoughts?

For a voice announces from Dan,

proclaiming malice from Mount Ephraim.

Warn the nations: Look!

Proclaim to Jerusalem:

Those who besiege are coming

from a distant land;

they raise their voices

against the cities of Judah.

They have her surrounded

like those who guard a field,

because she has rebelled against me.

This is the Lord’s declaration.

The time is coming when the Lord will say

to the people of Jerusalem,

“My dear people, a burning wind is blowing in from the desert,

and it’s not a gentle breeze useful for winnowing grain.

It is a roaring blast sent by me!

Now I will pronounce your destruction!”

Our enemy rushes down on us like storm clouds!

His chariots are like whirlwinds.

His horses are swifter than eagles.

How terrible it will be, for we are doomed!

O Jerusalem, cleanse your heart

that you may be saved.

How long will you harbor

your evil thoughts?

Your destruction has been announced

from Dan and the hill country of Ephraim.

“Warn the surrounding nations

and announce this to Jerusalem:

The enemy is coming from a distant land,

raising a battle cry against the towns of Judah.

They surround Jerusalem like watchmen around a field,

for my people have rebelled against me,”

says the Lord.

At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem,

“A hot wind from the barren heights in the desert,

in the direction of the daughter of my people,

not to winnow and not to cleanse,

a wind too strong for these will come for me,

now also I speak judgments against them.”

Look, he comes up like the clouds,

and his chariots are like the whirlwind,

his horses are swifter than eagles,

woe to us, for we are devastated.

Cleanse your heart from wickedness, O Jerusalem,

so that you may be saved.

How long will your thoughts of mischief

dwell in your inner part?

For a voice is declaring from Dan,

and is proclaiming disaster from the mountain of Ephraim.

“Report to the nations, ‘Here they are!’

Proclaim against Jerusalem,

‘Besiegers are coming from a distant land,

and they raise their voice against the cities of Judah.’

Like watchers of a field they were against her from all around,

because she has rebelled against me,” declares Yahweh.

At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem,

A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people,

Not to fan, nor to cleanse,

Even a full wind from those places shall come unto me:

Now also will I give sentence against them.

Behold, he shall come up as clouds,

And his chariots shall be as a whirlwind:

His horses are swifter than eagles.

Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.

O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved.

How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

For a voice declareth from Dan,

And publisheth affliction from mount Ephraim.

Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem,

That watchers come from a far country,

And give out their voice against the cities of Judah.

As keepers of a field, are they against her round about;

Because she hath been rebellious against me, saith the Lord.