1. “O you children of Benjamin,Gather yourselves to flee from the midst of Jerusalem!Blow the trumpet in Tekoa,And set up a signal-fire in Beth Haccerem;For disaster appears out of the north,And great destruction.
2. I have likened the daughter of ZionTo a lovely and delicate woman.
3. The shepherds with their flocks shall come to her.They shall pitch their tents against her all around.Each one shall pasture in his own place.”
4. “Prepare war against her;Arise, and let us go up at noon.Woe to us, for the day goes away,For the shadows of the evening are lengthening.
5. Arise, and let us go by night,And let us destroy her palaces.”
6. For thus has the Lord of hosts said:“Cut down trees,And build a mound against Jerusalem.This is the city to be punished.She is full of oppression in her midst.
7. As a fountain wells up with water,So she wells up with her wickedness.Violence and plundering are heard in her.Before Me continually are grief and wounds.
8. Be instructed, O Jerusalem,Lest My soul depart from you;Lest I make you desolate,A land not inhabited.”