Jeremiah 6

VIN(i) 1 “Flee for safety, you children of Benjamin, out of the middle of Jerusalem! Blow the trumpet in Tekoa and raise up a signal on Beth Haccherem, for evil looks out from the north with a great destruction. 2 I will destroy the daughter of Zion, the beautiful and tender one. 3 Shepherds and their flocks will come against her, they will pitch their tents against her all around, they will pasture, each his portion. 4 Prepare for war against her. "Arise, and let us attack at noon." "Woe to us, for the day declines (is nearly over), for the shadows of the evening lengthen!" 5 Get ready, let's attack at night, and destroy her fortresses." 6 the LORD Almighty says: "Cut down trees and build up a siege against Jerusalem. This city should be punished, for there is only oppression in her. 7 "As a well pours out its water, so Jerusalem pours out her wickedness. Violence and destruction are heard in her. Sickness and wounds are ever before me. 8 "Be warned, Jerusalem, or I'll be alienated from you. I'll make you desolate, a land not inhabited." 9 Thus says the LORD Almighty: "They will thoroughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine, turn back your hand over the branches like a grape-gatherer. 10 To whom shall I speak and give a warning so they'll listen? Look, their ears are closed, and they cannot hear. Look, the word of the LORD is contemptible to them; they don't delight in it. 11 I'm full of the wrath of the LORD, and I'm tired of holding it back. Pour it out on the children in the street and on the groups of young men gathered together. Indeed, both husband and wife will be caught in it, the old and the very old. 12 "Their houses will be turned over to others their fields and wives together when I stretch out my hand against those who live in the land," declares the LORD. 13 For from the least of them even to the greatest, all are given to covetousness: and from the prophet even to the priest, all are guilty of deceit. 14 They have healed also the hurt of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. 15 Were they ashamed when they made an abomination? They were not at all ashamed, nor did they know to blush. So they shall fall among those who fall. At the time I visit them, they shall be cast down, says the LORD. 16 This is what the LORD says: "Stand beside the roads and watch. Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is. Walk in it and find rest for yourselves. But they said, 'We won't walk in it!' 17 "'I set watchmen over you. I said: 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet! But they said: 'We will not listen!'" 18 Therefore hear, O nations, and know, O community, what will happen to them. 19 "Hear, O earth: behold, I am bringing disaster on this people as the fruit of their plans. This is because they have not listened to my words, and have rejected my law. 20 "What purpose does frankincense come to me from Sheba and the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable and your sacrifices are not pleasing to me." 21 Therefore, this is what the LORD says: "I'm about to put stumbling blocks in front of this people, and fathers and sons will stumble over them together. The neighbor and his friends will perish." 22 This is what the LORD says: "Look, people are coming from a northern country. A great nation is stirring from the ends of the earth. 23 They grab bow and spear; they're cruel and show no mercy. Their sound roars like the sea as they ride on horses, deployed like men ready for battle against you, daughter of Zion." 24 We have heard the news about it, and our hands are limp. Distress has seized us like a woman in labor. 25 Do not go out into the field. Do not walk on the road. The enemy has a sword and terror is on every side. 26 O my people put on sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn as for an only son, a lamentation most bitter. For suddenly the destroyer will come upon us. 27 "I have made you a tester of metals and a fortress among my people; that you may know and try their way." 28 "They are all grievous rebels, going about with slanders; they are bronze and iron: they all of them deal corruptly. 29 The bellows blow fiercely and the fire consumes the lead. The refining goes on in vain, but the wicked are not separated. 30 They're called reject silver, because the LORD has rejected them.