9 This is a declaration of Yahweh’s message concerning the Syrian Hadrak region and focussing on Damascus city, because the eyes of all humanity, including all of Yisrael’s tribes, are toward Yahweh.[ref] 2 It’s also about the Hamat region which borders on Tsor (Tyre) and Tsidon (Sidon) which is very wise. 3 Tsor has built herself a stronghold and heaped up silver like dust and refined gold like mud in the streets. 4 Listen, my master will dispossess her and throw her wealth into the sea, and she’ll be consumed by fire.

5 Ashkelon city will see and be afraid. Azzah city (Gaza) will also squirm in pain. Ekron city will have her hopes dashed. Azzah’s king will die, and Ashkelon will no longer be inhabited.[ref] 6 Strangers will move into Ashdod, and I’ll end the Philistines’ pride. 7 I will remove the meat with blood still in it from their mouths and their foods offered to idols from between their teeth. Then they’ll become a remnant for our God like a clan in Yehudah, and Ekron will end up like the Yebusites did. 8 I’ll camp around my house as a guard to prevent anyone from passing through or returning so no oppressor can overrun them, because I’ve now looked with my own eyes.