And the Lord sent [raiding] bands of Chaldeans against him, and bands of Syrians, and bands of Moabites, and bands of Ammonites, and sent them into the land of Judah to prevail [against it], according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by His servants the prophets.

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and besieged it.

And the Lord gave into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, and part of the vessels of the house of God: and he brought them into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

Declare in Judah, and let it be heard in Jerusalem. Say, Sound the trumpet in the land; cry aloud: say, Gather yourselves together, and let us enter into the fortified cities.

The lion has gone up from his lair, he has roused [himself] to the destruction of the nations, and has gone forth out of his place, to make the land desolate; and the cities shall be destroyed, so as to be without inhabitant.

Why do we sit still? Assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the strong cities, and let us be cast out there: for God has cast us out, and made us drink water of gall, because we have sinned before Him.

"So whenever you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where he must not"--he who reads, let him understand--"then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has drawn near.

Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the fields enter into her.