1 Nineveh, someone is comingto attack and scatter you.Guard your fortresses!Watch the road! Be brave!Prepare for battle!
2 Judah and Israel are like treeswith branches brokenby their enemies.But the Lord is going to restoretheir power and glory.
3-4 Nineveh, on this day of attack,your enemies' shields are red;their uniforms are crimson.Their horses prance,and their armoured chariotsdart around like lightningor flaming torches.
5 An officer gives a command.But his soldiers stumble,as they hasten to builda shelter to protect themselvesagainst rocks thrown downfrom the city wall.
6 The river gates fly open,and panic floods the palace.
7 Nineveh is disgraced.The queen is dragged off.Her servant women mourn;they sound like doves,and they beat their breastsin sorrow.
8 Nineveh is like a pondwith leaking water.Shouts of “Stop! Don't go!”can be heard everywhere.But everyone is leaving.
9 Enemy soldiers shout,“The city is full of treasureand all kinds of wealth.Steal her silver! Grab her gold!”
10 Nineveh is doomed! Destroyed!Her people tremble with fear;their faces turn pale.
11 What happened to this city?They were safer therethan powerful lions in a den,with no one to disturb them.
12 These are the same lionsthat ferociously attackedtheir victims,then dragged away the fleshto feed their young.
13 The Lord All-Powerful,is against you, Nineveh.God will burn your chariotsand send an army to killthose young lions of yours.You will never againmake victims of othersor send messengers to threateneveryone on this earth.