1 Yahweh’s Destruction of Nineveh 2:1Ch2:2in Heb The one who scatters has come up against 2:1 Lit your face you.Guard the fortification, watch the road;Strengthen your loins, 2:1 Or make your power courageous instillyourpower with exceeding courage.
2 For Yahweh will restore the majesty of JacobLike the majesty of Israel,Even though those who emptythemhave emptied them to destructionAnd ruined their vine branches.
3 ¶The shields of 2:3 Those attacking Nineveh his mighty men arecoloredred,The valiant men are dressed in 2:3 Or crimson, cf. Lam 4:5 scarlet,The chariots areenvelopedin 2:3 Lit fire of steel flashing steel 2:3 Lit On the day of his preparation When he is set upto march,And the cypressspearsare brandished.
4 The chariots race madly in the streets;They rush wildly in the 2:4 Lit broad places squares;Their appearance is like torches;They dash to and fro like lightning flashes.
5 He remembers his mighty ones;They stumble in their march;They hurry to her wall,And the 2:5Lit covering (used in a siege) mantelet is set up.
6 The gates of the rivers are opened,And the palace is melted away.
7 So it stands fixed:She is exiled, she is carried away,And her maidservants are moaning like the sound of doves,Beating on their hearts.
8 ¶Though Ninevehwaslike a pool of water throughout her days,Now they are fleeing;“Stand! Stand!”But no one 2:8 Lit gathers turns back.
9 Plunder the silver!Plunder the gold!And there is no limit to the treasure— 2:9Lit Glory Wealth from every kind of desirable object.
10 She is emptied! Yes, she is emptied out and eviscerated!Hearts are melting and knees knocking!Also anguish is in alltheirloins,And all their faces 2:10Lit gather their radiance turn pale!
11 Where is the den of the lionsAnd the feeding place of the young lions,Where the lion, lioness, and lion’s cub prowled,With nothing to makethemtremble?
12 The lion tore enough for its cubsAnd strangledenoughfor its lionessesAnd filled its lairs with torn up preyAnd 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.”