1 He who scatters has come to you.Guard the fortifications!Watch the road!Prepare yourself,and strengthen yourself!
2 For the Lord is restoring the prominence of Jacob,even the prominence of Israel,for others have certainlylaid waste their vines.
3 The shields of his mighty men are soaked red,even the mighty men are clad in red.In the day he prepares the chariots,they are like a fire of iron.The cypress spears are ready.
4 The chariots run wildly through the streets,they rush to and fro in the open areas;their appearance is like torches,they dash to and fro like lightning.
5 He remembers his officersas they stumble about on the road;they hurry on to the wallas the siege tower is set up.
6 The holding gates are opened wide,and the palace washes away.
7 It is decreed:She is uncovered and led away captive;her handmaidens shall lead her as with the voice of doves,beating their chests.
8 Nineveh is like a poolwhose waters run away.“Halt! Halt!” they cry,but no one turns back.
9 “Plunder the silver!Plunder the gold!There is no limit to the treasure,or to the wealth of every precious thing.”
10 She is desolate, empty, and waste!Hearts melt away, and knees shake;pain is in all the loins, and all their faces grow pale.
11 Where is the den of the lions,and the feeding place of the young lions,where the lion and lioness prowl,and the lion’s cub goes, with no one to disturb them?
12 The lion tore enough food for his cubs,and strangled prey for his lionesses;he has filled his caves with prey,and his dens with flesh.
13 I am against you,says the Lord of Hosts,and I will burn your chariots in smoke,and the sword will devour your lions.I will cut off your prey from the earth,and the voice of your messengerswill be heard no more.