The Imminent Threat from the North

5

"Announce in Y'hudah, proclaim in Yerushalayim; say: 'Blow the shofar in the land!' Shout the message aloud: 'Assemble! Let us go to the fortified cities!'

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Set up a signal toward Tziyon, head for cover without delay. For I will bring disaster from the north, yes, dire destruction.

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A lion has risen from his lair, a destroyer of nations has set out, left his own place to ruin your land, to demolish and depopulate your cities."

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So wrap yourselves in sackcloth, lament and wail, for ADONAI's fierce anger has not turned away from us.

9

"When that day comes," says ADONAI, "the king's heart will fail him, likewise the princes'; the cohanim will be appalled and the prophets stupefied."

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Then I said, "Oh, Adonai ELOHIM! Surely you have sadly deceived this people and Yerushalayim by saying, 'You will have peace,' when the sword is at our very throats!"

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"At that time it will be said of this people and of Yerushalayim: 'A scorching wind from the desert heights is sweeping down on my people.' It is not coming to winnow or cleanse;

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this wind of mine is too strong for that. Now I will pass sentence on them."

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Here he comes, like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind, his horses faster than eagles! Woe to us, we are doomed!

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Wash the evil from your heart, Yerushalayim, so that you can be saved. How long will you harbor within yourselves your evil thoughts?

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For a voice is announcing the news from Dan, proclaiming disaster from the hills of Efrayim:

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"Report it to the nations, proclaim about Yerushalayim: '[Enemies] are coming from a distant country, watching and shouting their war cry against the cities of Y'hudah.'

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Like guards in a field they surround her, because she has rebelled against me," says ADONAI.

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"Your own ways and your actions have brought these things on yourselves. This is your wickedness, so bitter! It has reached your very heart."

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