In the fields I see the bodies of those killed in battle. And in the towns I see crowds dying of hunger. But the prophets and priests go about their business, without understanding what has happened.”
I heard the crowds whisper, “Everyone is afraid. Now's our chance to accuse Jeremiah!” All of my so called friends are just waiting for me to make a mistake. They say, “Perhaps Jeremiah can be tricked. Then we can overpower him and get even at last.”
I said, “You are the LORD God. So why have you fooled everyone, especially the people of Jerusalem? Why did you promise peace, when a knife is at our throats?”
“Sound the trumpets, my people. Warn the people of Judah, ‘Run for your lives! Head for Jerusalem or another walled town!’ “Jeremiah, tell them I'm sending disaster from the north.
The people of Judah say to each other, “What are we waiting for? Let's run to a town with walls and die there. We rebelled against the LORD, and we were sentenced to die by drinking poison.
You will put on sackcloth to show your sorrow, but terror will overpower you. Shame will be written all over your faces, and you will shave your heads in despair.
Jerusalem, the time will come when your enemies will build walls around you to attack you. Armies will surround you and close in on you from every side.