6. Raise a standard toward Zion,flee for safety, stay not,for I bring disaster from the north, and great destruction.
7. A lion has gone up from his thicket,a destroyer of nations has set out;he has gone out from his placeto make your land a waste;your cities will be ruins without inhabitant.
8. For this put on sackcloth,lament and wail,for the fierce anger of the Lordhas not turned back from us.”
9. “In that day, declares the Lord, courage shall fail both king and officials. The priests shall be appalled and the prophets astounded.”
10. Then I said, “Ah, Lord God, surely you have utterly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, ‘It shall be well with you,’ whereas the sword has reached their very life.”
11. 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,
12. a wind too full for this comes for me. Now it is I who speak in judgment upon them.”
13. Behold, he comes up like clouds; his chariots like the whirlwind;his horses are swifter than eagles—woe to us, for we are ruined!
14. O Jerusalem, wash your heart from evil,that you may be saved.How long shall your wicked thoughtslodge within you?
15. For a voice declares from Danand proclaims trouble from Mount Ephraim.
16. Warn the nations that he is coming;announce to Jerusalem,“Besiegers come from a distant land;they shout against the cities of Judah.
17. Like keepers of a field are they against her all around,because she has rebelled against me,declares the Lord.