5
Declare in Judah, and proclaim in Jerusalem, and say:
Blow the trumpet through the land;
shout aloud 1 and say,
"Gather together, and let us go
into the fortified cities!"
6
Raise a standard toward Zion,
flee for safety, do not delay,
for I am bringing evil from the north,
and a great destruction.
7
A lion has gone up from its thicket,
a destroyer of nations has set out;
he has gone out from his place
to make your land a waste;
your cities will be ruins
without inhabitant.
8
Because of this put on sackcloth,
lament and wail:
"The fierce anger of the
has not turned away from us."
9
On that day, says the
11
At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights 2 in the desert toward my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse--
12
a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgment against them.
13
Look! 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 clean of wickedness
so that you may be saved.
How long shall your evil schemes
lodge within you?
15
For a voice declares from Dan
and proclaims disaster from Mount Ephraim.
16
Tell the nations, "Here they are!"
Proclaim against Jerusalem,
"Besiegers come from a distant land;
they shout against the cities of Judah.
17
They have closed in around her like watchers of a field,
because she has rebelled against me,
+qsays the
18
Your ways and your doings
have brought this upon you.
This is your doom; how bitter it is!
It has reached your very heart."