Jeremiah 6:26
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. 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.
The verse belongs to the clear prophecies of Jeremiah 3-21 denouncing sin. Within that setting it foretells enemies coming from the north to bring destruction upon God's people. Its direction to gird with sackcloth, wallow in ashes, and make mourning as for an only son with most bitter lamentation describes bitter mourning in response to the spoiler suddenly coming upon the people. The direction expresses sorrow of heart over the people's transgression and makes a touching appeal for them to return to God, an appeal the mass of the people met with utter lack of response.