1 Strengthen yourselves, sons of Benjamin, From the midst of Jerusalem, And in Tekoa blow ye a trumpet, And over Beth-Haccerem lift ye up a flame, For evil hath been seen from the north, And great destruction.
1 “Flee for safety, O sons of (A)Benjamin,From the midst of Jerusalem!Now blow a trumpet in TekoaAnd raise a signal over (a)(B)Beth-haccerem;For evil looks down from the (C)north,And a great destruction.
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 evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.
1 “Run for cover,(A) Benjaminites,out of Jerusalem!Sound the ram’s horn(B) in Tekoa;(C)raise a smoke signal(D) over Beth-haccherem,(a)for disaster threatens from the north,(E)even great destruction.
1 "Flee to safety, you people of Benjamin, leave Jerusalem. Sound the trumpet in Tekoa, and raise a signal over Beth-haccerem! For calamity and terrible destruction are turning toward you from the north.
3 Unto her come do shepherds and their droves, They have stricken tents by her round about, They have fed each in his own station.
3 “(F)Shepherds and their flocks will come to her,They will (G)pitch their tents (b)around her,They will pasture each in his (c)place.
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.
3 Shepherds and their flocks will come against her;they will pitch their tents all around her.(F)Each will pasture his own portion.
3 Shepherds and their flocks will come against her. They'll pitch their tents all around her, and every one will tend his flock in his own place.
4 Sanctify ye against her the battle, Rise, and we go up at noon. Woe to us, for turned hath the day, For stretched out are the shades of evening,
4 “(d)(H)Prepare war against her;Arise, and let us (e)attack at (I)noon.Woe to us, for the day declines,For the shadows of the evening lengthen!
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.
4 Set them apart for war(G) against her;rise up, let’s attack at noon.Woe to us, for the day is passing;the evening shadows grow long.
4 Prepare for war against her. Get ready, let's attack at noon! How terrible for us that the day is coming to an end, and that the evening shadows are lengthening.
6 For thus said Jehovah of Hosts: Cut down her wood, And pour out against Jerusalem a mount, She is the city to be inspected, Wholly -- she is oppression in her midst.
6 For thus says the Lord of hosts,“(K)Cut down her treesAnd cast up a (L)siege against Jerusalem.This is the city to be punished,In whose midst there is only (M)oppression.
6 For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.
6 For this is what the Lord of Hosts says:Cut down the trees;(H)raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem.This city must be punished.There is nothing but oppression within her.(I)
6 For this is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: "Cut down trees and set up siege works against Jerusalem. It is the city to be judged, and there is oppression throughout the entire city.
7 As the digging of a well, is for its waters, So she hath digged for her wickedness, Violence and spoil is heard in her, Before My face continually are sickness and smiting.
7 “(N)As a well (h)keeps its waters fresh,So she (i)keeps fresh her wickedness.(O)Violence and destruction are heard in her;(P)Sickness and wounds are ever before Me.
7 As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually is grief and wounds.
7 As a well gushes out its water,so she pours out her evil.(c)Violence and destruction(J) resound in her.Sickness and wounds keep coming to My attention.
7 As a well keeps its waters fresh, so the city keeps her wickedness fresh. Violence and destruction are heard in her, sickness and wounds are always before me.
8 Be instructed, O Jerusalem, Lest My soul be alienated from thee, Lest I make thee a desolation, a land not inhabited.
8 “(Q)Be warned, O Jerusalem,Or (j)(R)I shall be alienated from you,And make you a desolation,A land not inhabited.”
8 Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.
8 Be warned, Jerusalem,or I will turn away from you;(K)I will make you a desolation,a land without inhabitants.(L)
8 Be warned, Jerusalem, or I'll be alienated from you. I'll make you desolate, a land not inhabited."
9 Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: They surely glean, as a vine, the remnant of Israel, Put back thy hand, as a gatherer to the baskets.
9 Thus says the Lord of hosts,“They will (S)thoroughly glean as the vine the (T)remnant of Israel;Pass your hand again like a grape gathererOver the branches.”
9 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall throughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn back thine hand as a grapegatherer into the baskets.
9 This is what the Lord of Hosts says:Glean the remnant of Israel(M)as thoroughly as a vine.Pass your hand once more like a grape gathererover the branches.
9 This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: "Let them glean the remnant of Israel as thoroughly as they would the vine. Pass your hand over them like grape gatherers over the branches.
10 To whom do I speak, and testify, and they hear? Lo, their ear is uncircumcised, And they are not able to attend. Lo, a word of Jehovah hath been to them for a reproach, They delight not in it.
10 To whom shall I speak and give warningThat they may hear?Behold, their (U)ears are (k)closedAnd they cannot listen.Behold, (V)the word of the Lord has become a reproach to them;They have no delight in it.
10 To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
10 Who can I speak to and give such a warning(d)that they will listen?Look, their ear is uncircumcised,(e)(N)so they cannot pay attention.See, the word of the Lord has become contemptible to them—they find no pleasure in it.(O)
10 To whom will I speak and give a warning so they'll listen? Look, their ears are closed, and they cannot hear. Look, this message from the LORD is contemptible to them; they don't delight in it.
11 And with the fury of Jehovah I have been filled, (I have been weary of containing,) To pour it on the suckling in the street, And on the assembly of youths together, For even husband with wife are captured, An elder with one full of days,
11 But I am (W)full of the wrath of the Lord;I am (X)weary with holding it in.“(Y)Pour it out on the children in the streetAnd on the (l)gathering of young men together;For both husband and wife shall be taken,The aged (m)and the very old.
11 Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.
11 But I am full of the Lord’s wrath;I am tired of holding it back.(P)Pour it out on the children in the street,(Q)on the gang of young men as well.For both husband and wife will be captured,the old with the very old.(f)
11 I'm full of the wrath of the LORD, and I'm tired of holding it back. Pour it out on the children in the street and on the groups of young men gathered together. Indeed, both husband and wife will be caught in it, the old and the very old.
12 And their houses have been turned to others, Fields and wives together, For I stretch out My hand against the inhabitants of the land, An affirmation of Jehovah.
12 “Their (Z)houses shall be turned over to others,Their fields and their wives together;For I will (AA)stretch out My handAgainst the inhabitants of the land,” declares the Lord.
12 And their houses shall be turned unto others, with their fields and wives together: for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD.
12 Their houses will be turned over to others,(R)their fields and wives as well,for I will stretch out My hand(S)against the inhabitants of the land.This is the Lord’s declaration.
12 Their houses will be turned over to others their fields and wives together when I stretch out my hand against those who live in the land," declares the LORD.
13 For from their least unto their greatest, Every one is gaining dishonest gain, And from prophet even unto priest, Every one is dealing falsely,
13 “For (AB)from the least of them even to the greatest of them,Everyone is (AC)greedy for gain,And from the prophet even to the priestEveryone (n)deals falsely.
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 dealeth falsely.
13 For from the least to the greatest of them,(T)everyone is making profit dishonestly.(U)From prophet to priest,everyone deals falsely.(V)
13 "Indeed, from the least important to the most important, they're all greedy for dishonest gain. From prophet to priest, they all act deceitfully.
14 And they heal the breach of the daughter of my people slightly, Saying, 'Peace, peace!' and there is no peace.
14 “They have (AD)healed the brokenness of My people superficially,Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’But there is no peace.
14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
14 They have treated My people’s brokenness superficially,claiming, “Peace, peace,”(W)when there is no peace.
14 They treated my people's wound superficially, telling them, "Peace, peace,' but there is no peace.
15 They were ashamed when they did abomination! Yea, they are not at all ashamed, Yea, blushing they have not known, Therefore they do fall among those falling, In the time I have inspected them, They stumble, said Jehovah.
15 “Were they (AE)ashamed because of the abomination they have done?They were not even ashamed at all;They did not even know how to blush.Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;At the time that I punish them,They shall be cast down,” says the Lord.
15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could 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.
15 Were they ashamed when they acted so abhorrently?They weren’t at all ashamed.They can no longer feel humiliation.(X)Therefore, they will fall among the fallen.When I punish them, they will collapse,(Y)says the Lord.
15 Were they ashamed because they did what was repugnant to God? They were not ashamed at all they don't even know how to blush! Therefore they'll fall with those who fall. When I punish them, they'll be brought down," says the LORD.
16 Thus said Jehovah: Stand ye by the ways and see, and ask for paths of old, Where is this -- the good way? and go ye in it, And find rest for yourselves. And they say, 'We do not go.'
16 Thus says the Lord,“Stand by the ways and see and ask for the (AF)ancient paths,Where the good way is, and walk in it;And (AG)you will find rest for your souls.But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
16 This is what the Lord says:Stand by the roadways and look.Ask about the ancient paths:(Z)Which is the way to what is good?Then take itand find rest for yourselves.(AA)But they protested, “We won’t!”
16 This is what the LORD says: "Stand beside the roads and watch. Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is. Walk in it and find rest for yourselves. But they said, "We won't walk in it!'
17 And I have raised up for you watchmen, Attend ye to the voice of the trumpet. And they say, 'We do not attend.'
17 “And I set (AH)watchmen over you, saying,‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’But they said, ‘We will not listen.’
17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
17 I appointed watchmen over you(AB)and said: Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.But they protested, “We won’t listen!”
17 I appointed watchmen over you. Listen for the sound of the trumpet. But they said, "We won't listen!'
18 Therefore hear, O nations, and know, O company, That which is upon them.
18 “Therefore hear, O nations,And know, O congregation, what is among them.
18 Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.
18 Therefore listen, you nationsand you witnesses,learn what the charge is against them.
18 Therefore, hear, nations, and know, congregation, what will happen to them.
19 Hear, O earth, lo, I am bringing evil on this people, The fruit of their devices, For to My words they gave no attention, And My law -- they kick against it.
19 “(AI)Hear, O earth: behold, I am bringing disaster on this people,The (AJ)fruit of their (o)plans,Because they have not listened to My words,And as for My law, they have (AK)rejected it also.
19 Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.
19 Listen, earth!I am about to bring disaster on these people,the fruit of their own plotting,(AC)for they have paid no attention to My word.They have rejected My instruction.(AD)
19 Listen, earth! I'm about to bring calamity on this people, on the fruit of their plans, because they didn't listen to my words and they rejected my instruction.
20 Why is this to Me? frankincense from Sheba cometh, And the sweet cane from a land afar off, Your burnt-offerings are not for acceptance, And your sacrifices have not been sweet to Me.
20 “(AL)For what purpose does (AM)frankincense come to Me from ShebaAnd the (p)(AN)sweet cane from a distant land?(AO)Your burnt offerings are not acceptableAnd your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me.”
20 To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.
20 What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba(AE)or sweet cane(AF) from a distant land?Your burnt offerings are not acceptable;your sacrifices do not please Me.(AG)
20 What good is frankincense that comes from Sheba to me, or sweet cane from a distant country? Your burnt offerings aren't acceptable, nor are your sacrifices pleasing to me."
21 Therefore thus said Jehovah: Lo, I do give to this people stumbling blocks, And stumbled against them have fathers and sons together, The neighbour and his friend do perish.
21 Therefore, thus says the Lord,“Behold, (AP)I am (q)laying stumbling blocks before this people.And they will stumble against them,(AQ)Fathers and sons together;Neighbor and (r)friend will perish.”
21 Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.
21 Therefore, this is what the Lord says:I am going to place stumbling blocks before these people;fathers and sons together will stumble over them;(AH)friends and neighbors will also perish.
21 Therefore, this is what the LORD says: "I'm about to put stumbling blocks in front of this people, and fathers and sons will stumble over them together. The neighbor and his friends will perish."
22 Thus said Jehovah: Lo, a people hath come from a north country, And a great nation is stirred up from the sides of the earth.
22 Thus says the Lord,“Behold, (AR)a people is coming from the north land,And a great nation will be aroused from the (AS)remote parts of the earth.
22 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth.
22 This is what the Lord says:Look, an army is coming from a northern land;(AI)a great nation will be awakenedfrom the remote regions of the earth.(AJ)
22 This is what the LORD says: "Look, people are coming from a northern country. A great nation is stirring from the ends of the earth.
23 Bow and javelin they take hold of, Fierce it is, and they have no mercy, Their voice as a sea doth sound, And on horses they ride, set in array as a man of war, Against thee, O daughter of Zion.
23 “They seize (AT)bow and spear;They are (AU)cruel and have no mercy;Their voice (AV)roars like the sea,And they ride on horses,Arrayed as a man for the battleAgainst you, O daughter of Zion!”
23 They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.
23 They grasp bow and javelin.They are cruel and show no mercy.(AK)Their voice roars like the sea,(AL)and they ride on horses,lined up like men in battle formationagainst you, Daughter Zion.
23 They grab bow and spear; they're cruel and show no mercy. Their sound roars like the sea as they ride on horses, deployed like men ready for battle against you, daughter of Zion."
24 'We have heard its sound, feeble have been our hands, Distress hath seized us, pain as of a travailing woman.
24 We have (AW)heard the report of it;Our hands are limp.(AX)Anguish has seized us,Pain as of a woman in childbirth.
24 We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
24 We have heard about it,and we are discouraged.(g)Distress has seized us—pain like a woman in(AM) labor.(AN)
24 We have heard the news about it, and our hands are limp. Distress has seized us like a woman in labor.
25 Go not forth to the field, And in the way walk not, For a sword hath the enemy, fear is round about.
25 (AY)Do not go out into the fieldAnd (AZ)do not walk on the road,For the enemy has a sword,(BA)Terror is on every side.
25 Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side.
25 Don’t go out to the fields;don’t walk on the road.For the enemy has a sword;terror is on every side.(AO)
25 Don't go out into the field, and don't travel on the road, because the enemy has a sword, and terror is on every side.
26 O daughter of My people, Gird on sackcloth, and roll thyself in ashes, The mourning of an only one make for thee, A lamentation most bitter, For suddenly come doth the spoiler against us.
26 O daughter of my people, (BB)put on sackclothAnd (BC)roll in ashes;(s)(BD)Mourn as for an only son,A lamentation most bitter.For suddenly the destroyerWill come upon us.
26 O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.
26 My dear(h) people, dress yourselves in sackclothand roll in the dust.(AP)Mourn as you would for an only son,(AQ)a bitter lament,for suddenly the destroyer(AR) will come on us.(AS)
26 Daughter of my people, put on sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn with bitter wailing, as one mourns at the death of an only son. For the destroyer will come on us suddenly.
27 A watch-tower I have given thee, Among My people a fortress, And thou knowest, and hast tried their way.
27 “I have (BE)made you an assayer and a tester among My people,That you may know and assay their way.”
27 I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way.
27 I have appointed you to be an assayer among My people—a refiner(i)—so you may know and assay their way of life.(AT)
27 "I've made you an assayer of my people, as well as a fortress. You know how to test their way."
28 All of them are turned aside by apostates, Walking slanderously -- brass and iron, All of them are corrupters.
28 All of them are stubbornly rebellious,(BF)Going about as a talebearer.They are (BG)bronze and iron;They, all of them, are corrupt.
28 They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters.
28 All are stubborn rebelsspreading slander.(AU)They are bronze and iron;all of them are corrupt.(AV)
28 All of them are very rebellious, going around as slanderers. They're bronze and iron, and all of them are corrupt.
29 The bellows have been burnt, By fire hath the lead been consumed, In vain hath a refiner refined, And the wicked have not been drawn away.
29 The bellows blow fiercely,The lead is consumed by the fire;In vain the refining goes on,But the (BH)wicked are not (t)separated.
29 The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away.
29 The bellows blow,blasting the lead with fire.The refining is completely in vain;the evil ones are not separated out.
29 The bellows blow fiercely to consume the lead with the fire. The assayer keeps on refining, but the impurities aren't separated out.
Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.
International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.
King James Version Public Domain
New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org