Jeremiah 4:15-20

4:15 For messengers are coming, heralding disaster,

from the city of Dan and from the hills of Ephraim.

4:16 They are saying,

‘Announce to the surrounding nations,

“The enemy is coming!”

Proclaim this message to Jerusalem:

“Those who besiege cities are coming from a distant land.

They are ready to raise the battle cry against the towns in Judah.”’

4:17 They will surround Jerusalem

like men guarding a field

because they have rebelled against me,”

says the Lord.

4:18 “The way you have lived and the things you have done

will bring this on you.

This is the punishment you deserve, and it will be painful indeed.

The pain will be so bad it will pierce your heart.”

4:19 I said,

“Oh, the feeling in the pit of my stomach!

I writhe in anguish.

Oh, the pain in my heart!

My heart pounds within me.

I cannot keep silent.

For I hear the sound of the trumpet;

the sound of the battle cry pierces my soul!

4:20 I see one destruction after another taking place,

so that the whole land lies in ruins.

I see our tents suddenly destroyed,

their curtains torn down in a mere instant.