An Imminent Invasion

5 Declare in Judah and proclaim in Jerusalem, and say:

i“Blow the trumpet in the land;

Cry, ‘Gather together,’

And say, j‘Assemble yourselves,

And let us go into the fortified cities.’

6 Set up the 3standard toward Zion.

Take refuge! Do not delay!

For I will bring disaster from the knorth,

And great destruction.”

7 lThe lion has come up from his thicket,

And mthe destroyer of nations is on his way.

He has gone forth from his place

nTo make your land desolate.

Your cities will be laid waste,

Without inhabitant.

8 For this, oclothe yourself with sackcloth,

Lament and wail.

For the fierce anger of the Lord—

Has not turned back from us.

9 “And it shall come to pass in that day,” says the Lord,

“That the heart of the king shall perish,

And the heart of the princes;

The priests shall be astonished,

And the prophets shall wonder.”

10 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God!

pSurely You have greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem,

qSaying, ‘You shall have peace,’

Whereas the sword reaches to the 4heart.”

11 At that time it will be said

To this people and to Jerusalem,

r“A dry wind of the desolate heights blows in the wilderness—

Toward the daughter of My people—

Not to fan or to cleanse—

12 A wind too strong for these will come for Me;

Now sI will also speak judgment against them.”

13 “Behold, he shall come up like clouds,

And this chariots like a whirlwind.

uHis horses are swifter than eagles.

Woe to us, for we are plundered!”

14 O Jerusalem, vwash your heart from wickedness,

That you may be saved.

How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you?

15 For a voice declares wfrom Dan

And proclaims 5affliction from Mount Ephraim:

16 “Make mention to the nations,

Yes, proclaim against Jerusalem,

That watchers come from a xfar country

And raise their voice against the cities of Judah.

17 yLike keepers of a field they are against her all around,

Because she has been rebellious against Me,” says the Lord.

18 “Your zways and your doings

Have procured these things for you.

This is your wickedness,

Because it is bitter,

Because it reaches to your heart.”