2
I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely[a] and delicate woman.
3
The shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her; they shall pitch their tents against her round about; they shall feed every one in his place.
4
Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon.Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out.
5
Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces.
6
For thus hath the LORD of hostssaid, Hew ye downtrees, and cast[b] 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.
8
Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my souldepart[c] from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.
9
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall throughlyglean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn back thine hand as a grapegatherer into the baskets.
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.