Jeremiah 6

1Flee, children of Benjamin, from the midst of Jerusalem, sound the trumpet in Tekoa, and raise a signal on Beth-haccherem; for disaster appears from the north, and great destruction.

2I compare the daughter of Zion to a lovely and delicate woman.

3Shepherds with their flocks will come to her; they will set up their tents against her all around; they will pasture each one in his place.

4Consecrate war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe to us! For the day turns, for evening shadows stretch out.

5Arise, and let us go up at night, and let us destroy her palaces.

6For thus has Yahweh of hosts said: Cut down trees and heap up a ramp against Jerusalem; she, the city, faces punishment—oppression fills her entirely within.

7As a cistern gushes its waters, so she gushes her evil; violence and destruction resound in her; sickness and wounds stand continually before me.

8Be warned, Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from you, lest I make you desolate, a land uninhabited.

9Thus says Yahweh of hosts: They will thoroughly glean the remnant of Israel like a vine; turn back your hand like a grape gatherer into the baskets.

10To whom shall I speak and admonish, that they might hear? See, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot give heed. See, the word of Yahweh has become a reproach to them; they have no desire for it.

11I am filled with Yahweh's wrath; I weary of holding it in: pour it out on the infants in the street, and on the company of young men together; for even man with woman will be captured, the elder with him full of days.

12Their houses will pass to others, fields and wives together, for I will extend my hand upon the land's inhabitants, declares Yahweh.

13For from their least to their greatest, everyone covets gain; from prophet to priest, everyone acts deceitfully.

14They healed my people's injuries lightly, saying, "Peace, peace," when there is no peace.

15Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? They felt no shame at all, nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they will fall among those falling; when I visit them, they will stumble, says Yahweh.

16Thus says Yahweh: Stand at the crossroads and look, inquire about the ancient paths—which is the good way?—and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, "We will not walk in it."

17I raised watchmen over you: "Give heed to the sound of the trumpet!" But they said, "We will not give heed."

18Therefore hear, you nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.

19Hear, earth! Behold, I am bringing calamity on this people, the reward of their schemes, because they did not heed my words and rejected my law.

20Why does this frankincense reach me from Sheba, and superior cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings do not please me, nor do your sacrifices delight me.

21Therefore, thus declares Yahweh: See, I will put stumbling blocks before this people, and fathers and sons together will stumble over them; neighbor and his friend will perish and be destroyed.

22Thus says Yahweh: Look, a people comes from the north country, and a great nation rouses from the ends of the earth.

23They wield bow and spear, cruel and pitiless. Like the sea their voice roars, and on horses they ride, arrayed like a man for battle against you, daughter Zion.

24We have heard its report; our hands have grown limp. Distress has gripped us, pangs like a woman giving birth.

25Do not go out into the field, nor walk along the road; for the enemy's sword and terror are all around.

26Daughter of my people, put on sackcloth and roll in ashes; make mourning as for an only son, bitterest lamentation—for suddenly the destroyer comes upon us.

27I have appointed you a tower and a fortress among my people, so you will know and test their way.

28They are all backsliding rebels, talebearers going about, bronze and iron—all of them corrupters.

29The bellows burn fiercely with their fire; the fire consumes the lead; the refiner refines in vain, for the wicked are not separated.

30They will call them rejected silver, because Yahweh has rejected them.