The Imminent Threat from the North

5

Declare in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, ‘Blow the shofar in the land!’ Cry aloud and say, ‘Assemble yourselves! Let us go into the fortified cities!’

6

Set up a standard toward Zion. Flee for safety! Don’t wait; for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.”

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A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations; he is on his way, he has gone out from his place, to make your land desolate, that your cities be laid waste, without inhabitant.

8

For this clothe yourself with sackcloth, lament and wail; for the fierce anger of the LORD hasn’t turned back from us.

9

“It shall happen at that day,” says the LORD, “that the heart of the king shall perish, and the heart of the princes; and the priests shall be astonished, and the prophets shall wonder.”

10

Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Surely you have greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, ‘You shall have peace;’ whereas the sword reaches to the heart.”

11

At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A hot wind from the bare heights in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to winnow, nor to cleanse;

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a full wind from these shall come for me. Now I will also utter judgments against them.”

13

Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as the whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us! For we are ruined.

14

Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you?

15

For a voice declares from Dan, and publishes evil from the hills of Ephraim:

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“Tell the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, ‘Watchers come from a far country, and raise their voice against the cities of Judah.

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As keepers of a field, they are against her all around, because she has been rebellious against me,’” says the LORD.

18

“Your way and your doings have brought these things to you. This is your wickedness; for it is bitter, for it reaches to your heart.”

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