Jerusalem's Final Warning
1O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.
2I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman.
3The shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her; they shall pitch their tents against her round about; they shall feed every one in his place.
4Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out.
5Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces.
6For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.
7As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually is grief and wounds.
8Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.
9Thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall throughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn back thine hand as a grapegatherer into the baskets.
Israel's Rebellion and God's Wrath
(Jeremiah 25:15-33; Jonah 1:4-10; Acts 27:13-26; Romans 1:18-32)
10To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
11Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.
12And their houses shall be turned unto others, with their fields and wives together: for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD.
13For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
14They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
15Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
16Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
17Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
18Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.
19Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.
20To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.
21Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.
An Invasion from the North
22Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth.
23They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.
24We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
25Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side.
26O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.
27I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way.
28They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters.
29The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away.
30Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Jerusalem’s Final Warning
1 “Flee for safety, you children of Benjamin, out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and raise up a signal on Beth Haccherem; for evil looks forth from the north, and a great destruction.
2 The comely and delicate one, the daughter of Zion, will I cut off.
3 Shepherds with their flocks shall come to her; they shall pitch their tents against her all around; they shall feed everyone in his place.”
4 “Prepare war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe to us! For the day declines, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out.
5 Arise, and let us go up by night, and let us destroy her palaces.”
6 For Yahweh of Armies said, “Cut down trees, and cast up a mound against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.
7 As a well casts forth its waters, so she casts forth her wickedness: violence and destruction is heard in her; before me continually is sickness and wounds.
8 Be instructed, Jerusalem, lest my soul be alienated from you; lest I make you a desolation, a land not inhabited.”
9 Thus says Yahweh of Armies, “They shall thoroughly glean the remnant of Israel like a vine. Turn again your hand as a grape gatherer into the baskets.”
10 To whom shall I speak and testify, that they may hear? Behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they can’t listen. Behold, the word of Yahweh has become a reproach to them. They have no delight in it.
11 Therefore I am full of the wrath of Yahweh. I am weary with holding in. “Pour it out on the children in the street, and on the assembly of young men together; for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him who is full of days.
12 Their houses shall be turned to others, their fields and their wives together; for I will stretch out my hand on the inhabitants of the land, says Yahweh.”
13 “For from their least even to their greatest, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely.
14 They have healed also the hurt of my people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ when there is no peace.
15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I visit them, they shall be cast down,” says Yahweh.
16 Thus says Yahweh, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, ‘Where 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.’
17 I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen!’
18 Therefore hear, you nations, and know, congregation, what is among them.
19 Hear, earth! Behold, I will bring evil on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not listened to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.
20 To what purpose comes there to me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing to me.”
21 Therefore thus says Yahweh, “Behold, I will lay stumbling blocks before this people. The fathers and the sons together shall stumble against them. The neighbor and his friend shall perish.”
An Invasion from the North
22 Thus says Yahweh, “Behold, a people comes from the north country. A great nation shall be stirred up from the uttermost parts of the earth.
23 They take hold of bow and spear. They are cruel, and have no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride on horses, everyone set in array, as a man to the battle, against you, daughter of Zion.”
24 We have heard its report; our hands become feeble: anguish has taken hold of us, and pains as of a woman in labor.
25 Don’t go forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and terror, are on every side.
26 Daughter of my people, clothe yourself with sackcloth, and wallow in ashes! Mourn, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation; for the destroyer shall suddenly come on us.
27 “I have made you a tester of metals and a fortress among my people; that you may know and try their way.
28 They are all grievous rebels, going about with slanders; they are brass and iron: they all of them deal corruptly.
29 The bellows blow fiercely; the lead is consumed of the fire: in vain do they go on refining; for the wicked are not plucked away.
30 Men will call them rejected silver, because Yahweh has rejected them.”
Jerusalem’s Final Warning
1 “Run for cover, O sons of Benjamin;
flee from Jerusalem!
Sound the ram’s horn in Tekoa;
send up a signal over Beth-haccherem,
for disaster looms from the north,
even great destruction.
2 Though she is beautiful and delicate,
I will destroy the Daughter of Zion. a
3 Shepherds and their flocks
will come against her;
they will pitch their tents all around her,
each tending his own portion:
4 ‘Prepare for battle against her;
rise up, let us attack at noon.
Woe to us, for the daylight is fading;
the evening shadows grow long.
5 Rise up, let us attack by night
and destroy her fortresses!’ ”
6 For this is what the LORD of Hosts says:
“Cut down the trees
and raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem.
This city must be punished;
there is nothing but oppression in her midst.
7 As a well gushes its water,
so she pours out her evil.
Violence and destruction resound in her;
sickness and wounds are ever before Me.
8 Be forewarned, O Jerusalem,
or I will turn away from you;
I will make you a desolation,
a land without inhabitant.”
9 This is what the LORD of Hosts says:
“Glean the remnant of Israel
as thoroughly as a vine.
Pass your hand once more like a grape gatherer
over the branches.”
10 To whom can I give this warning?
Who will listen to me?
Look, their ears are closed, b
so they cannot hear.
See, the word of the LORD has become offensive to them;
they find no pleasure in it.
11 But I am full of the LORD’s wrath;
I am tired of holding it back.
“Pour it out on the children in the street,
and on the young men gathered together.
For both husband and wife will be captured,
the old and the very old alike.
12 Their houses will be turned over to others,
their fields and wives as well,
for I will stretch out My hand
against the inhabitants of the land,”
declares the LORD.
13 “For from the least of them to the greatest,
all are greedy for gain;
from prophet to priest,
all practice deceit.
14 They dress the wound of My people
with very little care,
saying, ‘Peace, peace,’
when there is no peace at all.
15 Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed?
No, they have no shame at all;
they do not even know how to blush.
So they will fall among the fallen;
when I punish them, they will collapse,”
says the LORD.
16 This is what the LORD says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look.
Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’
Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’
17 I appointed watchmen over you and said,
‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’
But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’
18 Therefore hear, O nations,
and learn, O congregations,
what will happen to them.
19 Hear, O earth! I am bringing disaster on this people,
the fruit of their own schemes,
because they have paid no attention to My word
and have rejected My instruction.
20 What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba
or sweet cane from a distant land?
Your burnt offerings are not acceptable;
your sacrifices do not please Me.”
21 Therefore this is what the LORD says:
“I will lay stumbling blocks before this people;
fathers and sons alike will be staggered;
friends and neighbors will perish.”
An Invasion from the North
22 This is what the LORD says:
“Behold, an army is coming
from the land of the north;
a great nation is stirred up
from the ends of the earth.
23 They grasp the bow and spear; c
they are cruel and merciless.
Their voice roars like the sea,
and they ride upon horses,
lined up like men in formation
against you, O Daughter of Zion.”
24 We have heard the report;
our hands hang limp.
Anguish has gripped us,
pain like that of a woman in labor.
25 Do not go out to the fields;
do not walk the road.
For the enemy has a sword;
terror is on every side.
26 O daughter of my people,
dress yourselves in sackcloth and roll in ashes.
Mourn with bitter wailing,
as you would for an only son,
for suddenly the destroyer
will come upon us.
27 “I have appointed you to examine My people like ore, d
so you may know and try their ways.
28 All are hardened rebels,
walking around as slanderers.
They are bronze and iron;
all of them are corrupt.
29 The bellows blow fiercely,
blasting away the lead with fire.
The refining proceeds in vain,
for the wicked are not purged.
30 They are called rejected silver,
because the LORD has rejected them.”
Footnotes:
2 a Or To a lovely and delicate woman I have likened the Daughter of Zion
10 b Hebrew uncircumcised
23 c Or javelin
27 d Or to examine My people, a fortress
Jerusalem's Final Warning
1Strengthen yourselves, sons of Benjamin, From the midst of Jerusalem, And in Tekoa blow ye a trumpet, And over Beth-Haccerem lift ye up a flame, For evil hath been seen from the north, And great destruction.
2The comely and the delicate one I have cut off, The daughter of Zion.
3Unto her come do shepherds and their droves, They have stricken tents by her round about, They have fed each in his own station.
4Sanctify ye against her the battle, Rise, and we go up at noon. Woe to us, for turned hath the day, For stretched out are the shades of evening,
5'Rise, and we go up by night, And we destroy her palaces.'
6For thus said Jehovah of Hosts: Cut down her wood, And pour out against Jerusalem a mount, She is the city to be inspected, Wholly -- she is oppression in her midst.
7As the digging of a well, is for its waters, So she hath digged for her wickedness, Violence and spoil is heard in her, Before My face continually are sickness and smiting.
8Be instructed, O Jerusalem, Lest My soul be alienated from thee, Lest I make thee a desolation, a land not inhabited.
9Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: They surely glean, as a vine, the remnant of Israel, Put back thy hand, as a gatherer to the baskets.
Israel's Rebellion and God's Wrath
(Jeremiah 25:15-33; Jonah 1:4-10; Acts 27:13-26; Romans 1:18-32)
10To whom do I speak, and testify, and they hear? Lo, their ear is uncircumcised, And they are not able to attend. Lo, a word of Jehovah hath been to them for a reproach, They delight not in it.
11And with the fury of Jehovah I have been filled, (I have been weary of containing,) To pour it on the suckling in the street, And on the assembly of youths together, For even husband with wife are captured, An elder with one full of days,
12And their houses have been turned to others, Fields and wives together, For I stretch out My hand against the inhabitants of the land, An affirmation of Jehovah.
13For from their least unto their greatest, Every one is gaining dishonest gain, And from prophet even unto priest, Every one is dealing falsely,
14And they heal the breach of the daughter of my people slightly, Saying, 'Peace, peace!' and there is no peace.
15They were ashamed when they did abomination! Yea, they are not at all ashamed, Yea, blushing they have not known, Therefore they do fall among those falling, In the time I have inspected them, They stumble, said Jehovah.
16Thus said Jehovah: Stand ye by the ways and see, and ask for paths of old, Where is this -- the good way? and go ye in it, And find rest for yourselves. And they say, 'We do not go.'
17And I have raised up for you watchmen, Attend ye to the voice of the trumpet. And they say, 'We do not attend.'
18Therefore hear, O nations, and know, O company, That which is upon them.
19Hear, O earth, lo, I am bringing evil on this people, The fruit of their devices, For to My words they gave no attention, And My law -- they kick against it.
20Why is this to Me? frankincense from Sheba cometh, And the sweet cane from a land afar off, Your burnt-offerings are not for acceptance, And your sacrifices have not been sweet to Me.
21Therefore thus said Jehovah: Lo, I do give to this people stumbling blocks, And stumbled against them have fathers and sons together, The neighbour and his friend do perish.
An Invasion from the North
22Thus said Jehovah: Lo, a people hath come from a north country, And a great nation is stirred up from the sides of the earth.
23Bow and javelin they take hold of, Fierce it is, and they have no mercy, Their voice as a sea doth sound, And on horses they ride, set in array as a man of war, Against thee, O daughter of Zion.
24'We have heard its sound, feeble have been our hands, Distress hath seized us, pain as of a travailing woman.
25Go not forth to the field, And in the way walk not, For a sword hath the enemy, fear is round about.
26O daughter of My people, Gird on sackcloth, and roll thyself in ashes, The mourning of an only one make for thee, A lamentation most bitter, For suddenly come doth the spoiler against us.
27A watch-tower I have given thee, Among My people a fortress, And thou knowest, and hast tried their way.
28All of them are turned aside by apostates, Walking slanderously -- brass and iron, All of them are corrupters.
29The bellows have been burnt, By fire hath the lead been consumed, In vain hath a refiner refined, And the wicked have not been drawn away.
30'Silver rejected,' they have called to them, For Jehovah hath kicked against them!
