1
O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evilappeareth out of the north, and greatdestruction.
6
For thus hath the LORD of hostssaid, Hew ye downtrees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.
7
As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness:violence and spoil is heard in her; before mecontinually is grief and wounds.
10
To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannothearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
11
Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the childrenabroad, and upon the assembly of young mentogether: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.
12
And their houses shall be turned unto others, with their fields and wivestogether: for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land,saith the LORD.
13
For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealethfalsely.
15
Were they ashamed when they had committedabomination?nay, they were not at allashamed, neithercould they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
16
Thus saith the LORD,Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the oldpaths, where is the goodway, and walk therein, and ye shall findrest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
19
Hear, O earth: behold, I will bringevil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.
20
To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweetcane from a farcountry? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrificessweet unto me.
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21
Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will laystumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sonstogether shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.
23
They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voiceroareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.
26
O daughter of my people,gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes:make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitterlamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenlycome upon us.