1 (2:2) A shatterer [Nineveh's overpowering enemy] is come up before thy face, [O Nineveh]; guard thy fortress, watch the derech, fortify thy loins, marshal all thy koach (power).
2 (2:3) For Hashem is about to restore the eminence of Ya'akov, like the eminence of Yisroel; for plunderers have plundered them, and made their vine branches as shachat.
3 (2:4) The mogen (shield) of his gibborim is made red, the anshei chayil (valiant men) are in scarlet; the chariot shall flash like fire in the day of its array, and the spears shall be brandished.
4 (2:5) The chariot shall rage in the streets, they shall jostle one against another in the rechovot, they shall seem like flaming torches, they shall dart about like the lightnings.
5 (2:6) He [the Assyrian king] shall remember his mighty ones; they stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the chomah (wall) of it [Nineveh], and the defense shall be prepared.
6 (2:7) The sha'arei haneharot (the gates of the rivers) shall be thrown open, and the heikhal (palace) reels.