Disaster from the North

Jeremiah 4

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 Lord
has not turned away from us."

⁹ On that day, says the Lord, courage shall fail the king and the officials; the priests shall be appalled and the prophets astounded. ¹⁰ Then I said, "Ah, Lord God, how utterly you have deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, "It shall be well with you,' even while the sword is at the throat!"

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 Lord.
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."