1The shatterer has come up against you.

Man the ramparts;

watch the road;

gird your loins;

collect all your strength.

2(For the LORD is restoring the majesty of Jacob

as the majesty of Israel,

for plunderers have stripped them

and ruined their branches.)

Attack on Nin'eveh

3The shield of his mighty men is red,

his soldiers are clothed in scarlet.

The chariots flash like flame2.3 Cn: The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain

when mustered in array;

the chargers2.3 Cn Compare Gk Syr: Heb cypresses prance.

4The chariots rage in the streets,

they rush to and fro through the squares;

they gleam like torches,

they dart like lightning.

5The officers are summoned,

they stumble as they go,

they hasten to the wall,

the mantelet is set up.

6The river gates are opened,

the palace is in dismay;

7its mistress2.7 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain is stripped, she is carried off,

her maidens lamenting,

moaning like doves,

and beating their breasts.

8Nin'eveh is like a pool

whose waters2.8 Cn Compare Gk: Heb from the days that she has become, and they run away.

“Halt! Halt!” they cry;

but none turns back.

9Plunder the silver,

plunder the gold!

There is no end of treasure,

or wealth of every precious thing.

10Desolate! Desolation and ruin!

Hearts faint and knees tremble,

anguish is on all loins,

all faces grow pale!

11Where is the lions' den,

the cave2.11 Cn: Heb pasture of the young lions,

where the lion brought his prey,

where his cubs were, with none to disturb?

12The lion tore enough for his whelps

and strangled prey for his lionesses;

he filled his caves with prey

and his dens with torn flesh.

13Behold, I am against you, says the LORD of hosts, and I will burn your2.13 Heb her chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall no more be heard.