Jeremiah 4:13–22

¹³Our 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!

¹⁴O Jerusalem, cleanse your heart

that you may be saved.

How long will you harbor

your evil thoughts?

¹⁵Your destruction has been announced

from Dan and the hill country of Ephraim.

¹⁶“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.

¹⁷They surround Jerusalem like watchmen around a field,

for my people have rebelled against me,”

says the Lord.

¹⁸“Your own actions have brought this upon you.

This punishment is bitter, piercing you to the heart!”

Jeremiah Weeps for His People

¹⁹My heart, my heart—I writhe in pain!

My heart pounds within me! I cannot be still.

For I have heard the blast of enemy trumpets

and the roar of their battle cries.

²⁰Waves of destruction roll over the land,

until it lies in complete desolation.

Suddenly my tents are destroyed;

in a moment my shelters are crushed.

²¹How long must I see the battle flags

and hear the trumpets of war?

²²“My people are foolish

and do not know me,” says the Lord.

“They are stupid children

who have no understanding.

They are clever enough at doing wrong,

but they have no idea how to do right!”