O ye childrenof Benjamin, gather yourselves to fleeout of the midstof Jerusalem, and blowthe trumpetin Tekoa, and set upa sign of fireinBeth-haccerem: forevilappearethout of the north, and greatdestruction. I have likenedthe daughterof Zionto a comelyand delicate woman . The shepherdswith their flocksshall comeuntoher; they shall pitch their tentsagainsther round about; they shall feedevery oneinhis place. Prepareye waragainsther; arise, and let us go upat noon. Woeunto us! forthe daygoeth away, forthe shadowsof the eveningare stretched out. Arise, and let us goby night, and let us destroyher palaces. Forthushath the LORDof hostssaid, Hew ye downtrees, and casta mountagainstJerusalem: this is the cityto be visited; she is whollyoppressionin the midstof her. As a fountaincasteth outher waters, soshe castethout her wickedness: violenceand spoilis heardin her; beforeme continually is griefand wounds. Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lestmy souldepartfromthee; lestI makethee desolate, a landnotinhabited. Thussaiththe LORDof hosts, They shall throughly gleanthe remnantof Israelas a vine: turn backthine handas a grape gathererintothe baskets. Towhomshall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannothearken: behold, the wordof the LORDisunto them a reproach; they have nodelightin it. Therefore I am fullofthe furyof the LORD; I am wearywith holdingin: I will pour it outuponthe childrenabroad, and uponthe assemblyof young mentogether: foreventhe husbandwiththe wifeshall be taken, the agedwith him that is fullof days. And their housesshall be turnedunto others, with their fieldsand wivestogether: forI will stretch outmy handuponthe inhabitantsof the land, saiththe LORD. Forfrom the leastof them even untothe greatestof them every one is given tocovetousness; and from the propheteven untothe priestevery onedealethfalsely. They have healedalso the hurt of the daughter of my peopleslightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is nopeace. Were they ashamedwhenthey had committedabomination? nay, they were notat all ashamed, neithercouldthey blush: thereforethey shall fallamong them that fall: at the time that I visitthem they shall be cast down, saiththe LORD. Thussaiththe LORD, Standye inthe ways, and see, and askfor the oldpaths, where is the goodway, and walktherein, and ye shall findrestfor your souls. But they said, We will notwalk therein . Also I setwatchmenoveryou, saying , Hearkento the soundof the trumpet. But they said, We will nothearken. Thereforehear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold, Iwill bringeviluponthispeople, even the fruitof their thoughts, becausethey have nothearkeneduntomy words, nor to my law, but rejectedit. To whatpurposecomeththere to me incensefrom Sheba, and the sweetcanefrom a farcountry? your burnt offerings are notacceptable, noryour sacrificessweetunto me. Thereforethussaiththe LORD, Behold, I will laystumblingblocksbeforethispeople, and the fathersand the sonstogethershall fallupon them; the neighborand his friendshall perish. Thussaiththe LORD, Behold, a peoplecomethfrom the northcountry, and a greatnationshall be raisedfrom the sidesof the earth. They shall lay holdon bowand spear; they are cruel, and have nomercy; their voiceroarethlike the sea; and they rideuponhorses, set in arrayas menfor waragainstthee, O daughterof Zion. We have heardthe famethereof: our handswax feeble: anguishhath taken holdof us, and pain, as of a woman in travail. Go not forthinto the field, norwalkby the way; forthe swordof the enemy and fear is on every side. O daughterof my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyselfin ashes: makethee mourning, as for an only son, most bitterlamentation: forthe spoilershall suddenlycomeuponus. I have setthee for a tower and a fortressamong my people, that thou mayest knowand trytheir way. They are allgrievousrevolters, walkingwith slanders: they are brassand iron; they are allcorrupters. The bellowsare burned, the leadis consumedof the fire; the foundermeltethin vain: for the wickedare notplucked away. Reprobatesilvershall men callthem, becausethe LORDhath rejectedthem.