Yahweh’s Destruction of Nineveh

1[†]The one who scatters has come up against [†]you.

Guard the fortification, watch the road;

Strengthen your loins, [†]instill your power with exceeding courage.

2For Yahweh will restore the majesty of Jacob

Like the majesty of Israel,

Even though those who empty them have emptied them to destruction

And ruined their vine branches.

3The shields of [†]his mighty men are colored red,

The valiant men are dressed in [†]scarlet,

The chariots are enveloped in [†]flashing steel

[†]When he is set up to march,

And the cypress spears are brandished.

4The chariots race madly in the streets;

They rush wildly in the [†]squares;

Their appearance is like torches;

They dash to and fro like lightning flashes.

5He remembers his mighty ones;

They stumble in their march;

They hurry to her wall,

And the [†]mantelet is set up.

6The gates of the rivers are opened,

And the palace is melted away.

7So it stands fixed:

She is exiled, she is carried away,

And her maidservants are moaning like the sound of doves,

Beating on their hearts.

8Though Nineveh was like a pool of water throughout her days,

Now they are fleeing;

“Stand! Stand!”

But no one [†]turns back.

9Plunder the silver!

Plunder the gold!

And there is no limit to the treasure—

[†]Wealth from every kind of desirable object.

10She is emptied! Yes, she is emptied out and eviscerated!

Hearts are melting and knees knocking!

Also anguish is in all their loins,

And all their faces [†]turn pale!

11Where is the den of the lions

And the feeding place of the young lions,

Where the lion, lioness, and lion’s cub prowled,

With nothing to make them tremble?

12The lion tore enough for its cubs

And strangled enough for its lionesses

And filled its lairs with torn up prey

And its dens with torn up flesh.

13“Behold, I am against you,” declares Yahweh of hosts. “And I will burn up her chariots in smoke, and a sword will devour your young lions; and I will cut off your prey from the land, and no longer will the voice of your messengers be heard.”