Jeremiah 4:5-20

5Report this message in Judah. Make it heard in Jerusalem. Say, “Blow the ram’s horn throughout the land.” Shout loudly and say, “Gather together! Let’s go into the fortified cities.”

6Raise the flag to signal people to go to Zion. Take cover! Don’t just stand there! I’m bringing disaster and widespread destruction from the north.

7A lion has come out of its lair. A destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his place to destroy your land. Your cities will be ruined, and no one will live in them.

8So put on sackcloth, mourn, and cry because the Lord’s burning anger hasn’t turned away from us.

9“When that day comes,” declares the Lord, “the king and the leaders will lose their courage. The priests will be stunned. The prophets will be amazed and astonished.”

10I said, “Almighty Lord, you certainly have deceived these people and Jerusalem. You said that everything would go well for them, but a sword is held at their throats.”

11At that time it will be said to these people and to Jerusalem: “A hot wind from the heights will blow in the desert on the tracks of my people. It will not be a wind that winnows  or cleanses.

12It will be a stronger wind than that. It will come from me. Now, I will pass sentence on them.”

13The enemy comes up like clouds. His chariots are like a raging wind. His horses are faster than eagles. How horrible it will be for us! We will be destroyed!

14Jerusalem, wash the evil from your heart so that you may be rescued. Don’t continue making evil plans.

15A message is heard from Dan, and a report of disaster comes from the mountains of Ephraim.

16Warn the nations about these things. Bring them to the attention of Jerusalem. “Hostile troops are coming from a distant country. They are shouting battle cries against the cities of Judah.

17They surround them like men guarding a field, because Judah has rebelled against me,” declares the Lord.

18“You brought this on yourself. This is your punishment. It is bitter. It breaks your heart.”

19My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain. My heart is beating wildly! My heart is pounding! I can’t keep quiet because I hear a ram’s horn sounding the alarm for war.

20One disaster follows another. The whole land is ruined. My tents are suddenly destroyed. Their curtains are torn in an instant.