1 The destroyer is coming to attack you, Nineveh.Guard the defenses.Watch the road.Get ready.Gather all your strength!
2 Destroyers have destroyed God’s peopleand ruined their vines,but the Lord will bring back Jacob’s greatnesslike Israel’s greatness.
3 The shields of his soldiers are red;the army is dressed in red.The metal on the chariots flashes like firewhen they are ready to attack;their horses are excited.
4 The chariots race through the streetsand rush back and forth through the city squares.They look like torches;they run like lightning.
5 He calls his officers,but they stumble on the way.They hurry to the city wall,and the shield is put into place.
6 The river gates are thrown open,and the palace is destroyed.
7 It has been announced that the people of Ninevehwill be captured and carried away.The slave girls moan like dovesand beat their breasts, because they are sad.