Jeremiah 6:1-8

1“Run for safety, people of Benjamin! Get out of Jerusalem! Sound the trumpet in Tekoa! Light the signal fires at Beth Hakkerem! For disaster lurks out of the north; it will bring great destruction.

2I will destroy Daughter Zion, who is as delicate and defenseless as a young maiden.

3Kings will come against it with their armies. They will encamp in siege all around it. Each of them will devastate the portion assigned to him.

4They will say, ‘Prepare to do battle against it! Come on! Let’s attack it at noon!’ But later they will say, ‘Oh, oh! Too bad! The day is almost over and the shadows of evening are getting long.

5So come on, let’s go ahead and attack it by night and destroy all its fortified buildings.’

6All of this is because the Lord who rules over all has said: ‘Cut down the trees around Jerusalem and build up a siege ramp against its walls. This is the city which is to be punished. Nothing but oppression happens in it.

7As a well continually pours out fresh water so it continually pours out wicked deeds. Sounds of violence and destruction echo throughout it. All I see are sick and wounded people.’

8So take warning, Jerusalem, or I will abandon you in disgust and make you desolate, a place where no one can live.”