Jeremiah 4:5-18

“Sound the alarm in Judah, broadcast the news in Jerusalem. Say, ‘Blow the ram’s horn trumpet through the land!’ Shout out—a bullhorn bellow!— ‘Close ranks! Run for your lives to the shelters!’ Send up a flare warning Zion: ‘Not a minute to lose! Don’t sit on your hands!’ Disaster’s descending from the north. I set it off! When it lands, it will shake the foundations. Invaders have pounced like a lion from its cover, ready to rip nations to shreds, Leaving your land in wrack and ruin, your cities in rubble, abandoned. Dress in funereal black. Weep and wail, For GOD’s sledgehammer anger has slammed into us head-on. “When this happens” —GOD’s Decree— “King and princes will lose heart; priests will be baffled and prophets stand dumbfounded.” Then I said, “Alas, Master GOD! You’ve fed lies to this people, this Jerusalem. You assured them, ‘All is well, don’t worry,’ at the very moment when the sword was at their throats.” * * * At that time, this people, yes, this very Jerusalem, will be told in plain words: “The northern hordes are sweeping in from the desert steppes— A wind that’s up to no good, a gale-force wind. I ordered this wind. I’m pronouncing my hurricane judgment on my people.” Look at them! Like banks of storm clouds, racing, tumbling, their chariots a tornado, Their horses faster than eagles! Woe to us! We’re done for! Jerusalem! Scrub the evil from your lives so you’ll be fit for salvation. How much longer will you harbor devious and malignant designs within you? What’s this? A messenger from Dan? Bad news from Ephraim’s hills! Make the report public. Broadcast the news to Jerusalem: “Invaders from far off are raising war cries against Judah’s towns. They’re all over her, like a dog on a bone. And why? Because she rebelled against me.” GOD’s Decree. “It’s the way you’ve lived that’s brought all this on you. The bitter taste is from your evil life. That’s what’s piercing your heart.” * * *

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