Strengthen yourselves, sons of Benjamin, from the midst of Jerusalem, and in Tekoa sound the trumpet, and over Beth-haccherem raise a signal, for evils have looked out from the north, and great destruction is happening.
Prepare yourselves against her for war; rise up, and let us go up against her at noon. Woe to us, for the day has declined, for the shadows of evening are failing.
As a pit cools water, so her wickedness cools ungodliness and misery; it will be heard in her, before her face continually, with pain and with scourging.
To whom shall I speak and bear witness, and he will hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, and they are not able to hear; behold, the word of the Lord has become to them for reproach; they will surely not be willing to hear it.
And my wrath I filled, and I held back, and I did not finish them; I will pour out upon infants outside and upon an assembly of young men together, for man and woman shall be seized, elder together with one full of days.
And their houses shall be turned to others, their fields, and their wives together; for I will stretch out my hand against those who inhabit this land, says the Lord.
They were put to shame because they failed, and not even as being put to shame were they put to shame, and they did not know their disgrace; therefore they shall fall in their fall, and at the time of their visitation they shall perish, says the Lord.
Thus says the Lord: Stand on the roads and see, and ask for the ancient paths of the Lord, and see which is the good way, and walk in it, and you will find purification for your souls. But they said, We will not go.
Hear, O earth, behold, I am bringing evils upon this people, the fruit of their turning away, because they did not give heed to my words and they rejected my law
Why do you bring me frankincense from Sheba and cinnamon from a distant land? Your whole burnt offerings are not acceptable, and your sacrifices have not pleased me.
Therefore thus says the Lord: Behold, I am giving upon this people a weakness, and fathers and sons together will be weak in it; neighbor and his near one will perish.
Bow and javelin they will take up; it is bold and will not pity. His voice is like a surging sea, and upon horses and chariots he will array himself, like fire for war against you, daughter of Zion.
Daughter of my people, gird yourself with sackcloth, cover yourself with ashes; make for yourself a mourning for a beloved one, a pitiable lamentation, for suddenly misery will come upon you