This is Yahweh’s message that he gave to the prophet Yirmeyah (Jeremiah) concerning the Philistines before Far-oh (Pharaoh) attacked Azzah (Gaza).[ref] 2 Yahweh says this:

Listen, armies are rising in the north like floods of water.

They’ll be like an overflowing river.

Then they’ll overflow the land and everything in it—

its cities and its inhabitants.

So everyone will shout out for help,

and all the land’s inhabitants will wail.

3 At the sound of the stamping of their powerful horses’ hooves,

at the clattering of their chariots and the noise of their wheels,

fathers won’t help their children because of their own helplessness.

4 The day is coming that will devastate all of the Philistines—

to cut every survivor off from Tsor and Tsidon (Tyre and Sidon) who wants to help them,

because Yahweh is devastating the Philistines—

the remnant who originally came from Crete (Heb. Kaftor Island).

5 The people of Azzah (Gaza) will shave their heads in mourning.

The remnant in Ashkelon’s valley will be silenced.

How much longer will you cut yourself in mourning for?

6 Oh no, sword of Yahweh, how long will it be until you stop?

Get back to your scabbard. Stop and be silent.

7 How can it stop when Yahweh has commanded it,

when he has ordered it to attack Ashkelon and the other cities along the coast?

15 The master Yahweh says this, ‘The Philistines have chosen hateful vengeance and have put much effort into trying to destroy Yehudah.[ref] 16 So this is what the master Yahweh says: Listen, I’ll take action against the Philistines, and I’ll cut off the Kerethites and destroy the remnant along the coast. 17 I’ll take severe vengeance against them with furious acts to punish them—they’ll know that I am Yahweh, when I take my vengeance on them.’ ”

 Here is a message for Moav (Moab):[ref]

So, in a night Ar in Moav will be laid waste, destroyed.

≈ So, in a night Kir in Moav will be laid waste, destroyed.

2 They’ve gone up to the temple, and Divon up to the hills to weep.

≈ Moav wails about Nevo and Medeva.

All their heads are bald.

≈ All their beards are cut off.

3 In their streets they wear sackcloth.

≈ On their (flat) roofs and in the square, everyone wails,

→ coming down in tears.

4 Heshbon and Elealeh cry out—their voice is heard as far as Yahats.

≈ So too, the soldiers from Moav call out as their spirit trembles inside them.

5 My heart cries out for Moav, those who flee to Tsoar and to Eglat-Shelishiyah,

because they weep as they climb the Luhit ascent,

≈ yes, on the road to Horonaim, they cry loudly from their suffering.

6 The Nimrim spring has dried up so the grass has withered.

≈ The vegetation has disappeared so there’s no more greenery.

7 Because of that, they take the wealth they’ve made and their savings,

→ and they carry it away across the stream with the willows.

8 Yes, the cry has surrounded the Moav region,

and her wailing has carried as far as Eglayim and Beyt-Eylim,

9 because the Dimon stream is full of blood,

→ However, I’ll bring more on Dimon.

I’ll send a lion for Moav’s survivors,

≈ and for the remnant of the land.

16 Send a ram to Yehudah’s ruler

from Sela in the wilderness to the mountain of the daughter of Tsiyyon (Zion).

2 Then just like birds flutter away from a nest that’s disturbed,

so too the Moav women will head to the fords at the Arnon river.

3 Bring some advice. Make a decision.

Make some shade that’s dark in the middle of the day.

Hide the fugitives.

≈ Don’t expose the refugees.

4 Let Moav’s refugees live among you.

Be a shelter for them from the destroyer,

because the oppressor will give up.

Destruction will cease.

The oppressors will disappear from the land.

5 A king will be established based on loyal commitment.

A descendant of David who will rule with faithfulness—

one who judges fairly and strives for justice,

and who quickly does what is right.

6 We’ve heard about Moav’s excessive pride,

and their haughtiness and arrogance,

but their boasting is empty.

7 So Moav mourns for itself—all of them.

They long for the raisin-cakes from Kir-Hareset.

They’re completely overcome

8 because Heshbon’s fields have dried up

as have Sevmah’s grapevines.

The rulers of nations have trampled down its best grapevines.

They reached Yazer—wandering through the wilderness.

Its shoots spread out—passing over the ocean.

9 So I’ll weep along with those weeping in Yazer for Sevmah’s grapevines.

I’ll water you with my tears, Heshbon and Elealeh,

because they’re shouting about your summer fruits and your harvest.

10 People will no longer be happy in their orchards,

≈ and celebrations will disappear from the vineyards.

There won’t be any singing or shouting in the wine-pressing pits,

≈ and the shouting of those treading the grapes will cease.

11 My stomach tightens like a harp string when I think about Moav.

≈ My insides groan about Kir-Hareset.

12 The people of Moav wear themselves out praying at their hilltop shrines.

≈ They go to their temple to pray, but it doesn’t help them.

13 That’s what Yahweh already said about Moav, 14 and now he says that within three years like a hirer labourer, Moav’s honour will disappear, because out of their large population, only a small and insignificant group will remain.

10 Yahweh’s hand rests on this mountain to secure it.

Moav will be trampled down like a heap of straw in a dung pile.[ref]

11 Yahweh will spread out his hands in the middle of it,

like a swimmer spreading his arms to swim,

and he’ll cancel their pride with the skill of his hands.

12 He’ll knock down your high fortress walls,

and Moav’s cities will be broken right down low.

 Yisrael’s god, Commander-in-chief Yahweh says to Moav:

Nevo won’t end well because it’ll be devastated.

Kiryatayim has been humiliated and captured.

Its fortress has been disgraced and shattered.[ref]

2 No one will praise Moav again.

Their enemies in Heshbon plotted disaster against them, saying,

Let’s go and destroy it as a nation.

Madmen will be silenced after the sword finishes with you.

3 Listen, a cry of distress is coming from Horonayim,

where there’s ruin and terrible destruction.

4 Moav has been destroyed.

Its workers have made their cries heard.

5 They weeps as they climb Luhit hill,

because on the way down to Horonayim,

shouts of distress will heard because of the destruction.

6 Flee, save your lives

so you’ll be like a juniper bush in the wilderness.

7 Because of your trust in your practices and your wealth,

you too will be captured.

Then Kemosh will go away into captivity, along with its priests and leaders.

8 The destroyer will come to every city—no city will escape.

The valley will perish and the plain will be devastated, as Yahweh has said.

9 Give wings to Moav, because it must certainly fly away.

Its cities will become a wasteland without anyone living in them.

10 Anyone who’s slack doing Yahweh’s work should be cursed.

Anyone who’s afraid to use his sword to kill should be cursed.

11 Moav has felt secure since it was young.

Its like its wine that’s never been poured from container to container.

Its never gone into captivity.

so it still tastes as good as ever—

its nice aroma hasn’t unchanged.

12 But Yahweh declares that the time is coming

when I’ll send along those who’ll tip it over

and empty out all its pots and smash its jars.

13 Then Moav will be ashamed of their god Kemosh

just as Yisrael’s people were ashamed of the golden calf that they put their trust in at Beyt-El.

14 How can you Moav soldiers say, ‘We are warriors,

powerful fighting men’?

15 Moav will be devastated and its cities attacked.

Its finest young men have gone down to the place of slaughter.

That is the king’s declaration—his name is Commander-in-chief Yahweh.

16 Moav’s disaster is coming soon.

Calamity is rushing towards it.

17 You surrounding nations, wail,

and all you who know Moav’s fame, shout

‘Oh no, the strong staff, the splendid rod, has been broken.’

18 Come down from your place of honour

and sit on the ground that’s dry and thirsty,

you daughter living in Dibon city,

because the one who’ll destroy Moav will attack you—

the one who’ll destroy your fortications.

19 You people who live in Aroer city,

stand on the road and watch.

Ask the escaping men and women what happened there.

20 Moav has been humiliated because it’s been shattered.

Wail and cry out.

Tell the people at the Arnon river that Moav’s been devastated.

21 Now punishment has come to Moav’s high plateau:

to Holon, Yahtsah, Mefa’at, 22 Divon, Nevo, Beyt-Divlatayim, 23 Kiryatayim, Beyt-Gamul, Beyt-Meon, 24 Keriot, and Botsrah, and all of Moav’s towns, both near and far. 25 Moav’s power will be terminated and its dominance will be broken.

26 Make Moav drunk, because it acted proudly against Yahweh.

Let Moav wallow in its vomit,

and let it be an object of ridicule.

27 Didn’t Moav make Yisrael an object of ridicule?

Weren’t they thought of as thieves,

such that you shook your head when you spoke about them.

28 Abandon the cities and camp on the cliffs, you inhabitants of Moav,

≈ and become like a dove that’s nesting over the mouth of a hole in the rocks.

29 We’ve heard about Moav’s pride,

about its arrogance, haughtiness, pride, boastfulness,

and the conceit in its heart.

30 This is Yahweh’s declaration:

I myself know its arrogance

≈ and their hollow boasting about things they haven’t even done.

31 So I’ll wail for Moav,

≈ and I’ll cry out for all of Moav.

I’ll lament for the people of Kir-Heres.

32 I’ll weep for you more than I did for Yazer, you vine of Sivmah.

Your tendrils passed across the Salt Sea and reached as far as Yazer.

A destroyer has attacked your summer fruit and your grape harvest,

33 so celebration and happiness have been taken away from the fruit trees and from Moav itself.

I’ve put an end to the wine from their wine-pressing pits.

They won’t tread the grapes with happy shouts—

any shouts won’t be shouts of celebration.

34 From the shouts at Heshbon as far as Elealeh, their sound is heard at Yahaz, from Tsoar to Horonayim and Eglat-Shelishiyah, since even the water at Nimrim has dried up. 35 I will put an end to anyone in Moav who makes sacrifices on the hilltop shrines and burns incense to his gods. That is Yahweh’s declaration.

36 Because of all that, I groan inwardly for Moav and Kir-Hareset, like a flute at a funeral, knowing that all the wealth that they acquired will be lost. 37 Yes, every head will be shaved and all their beards will be clipped. They’ll all have cuts on their hands and be wearing sackcloth around their waists. 38 There’s wailing coming from every flat roof and from all the plazas in Moav because I’ve destroyed Moav like pottery that no one wants. That is Yahweh’s declaration. 39 How it’s been shattered. How they keep wailing. Moav turns its back in shame—it will become an object of derision and a terror to all those who are around it 40 because Yahweh says this:

Listen, the enemy will swoop down like an eagle and spread out his wings against Moav.

41 Keriyot has been captured, and its fortresses have been seized,

because on that day, Moav’s soldiers will be apprehensive like women in labour.

42 Then Moav will be destroyed and no longer be a people group,

because they thought they were better than Yahweh.

43 Terror, and pits and traps, are coming to you inhabitants of Moav.

That is Yahweh’s declaration.

44 Anyone who flees because of terror will fall into a pit,

and anyone who climbs out of the pit will be caught in a trap,

because I will bring this on them in the year when I punish them.

That is Yahweh’s declaration. 45 Those who flee will stand in the shadow of Heshbon city without any strength,

because will go out from Heshbon—flame from the middle of Sihon.

It’ll devour Moav’s forehead and the top of the heads of the rebellious people.

46 You won’t end well Moav. You worshippers of Kemosh will be destroyed

because your sons and daughters will be captured and taken away.

47 However, in future years, Moav’s judgement will end and I will restore Moav from captivity.

That is Yahweh’s declaration.

8 The master Yahweh says this, ‘Because Moab and Seir say that the kingdom of Yehudah is just like every other nation,[ref] 9 well listen, I’ll destroy the border cities protecting Moab, starting with the splendour of Beyt-Yeshimot, Baal-Meon, and Kiriataim. 10 I’ll hand them over to the people in the east who’ve already been against the Ammonites—I’ll give them up as a possession so that the Ammonites won’t be remembered among the nations. 11 Yes, I’ll execute judgements against Moab, then they’ll know that I am Yahweh.’

 Yahweh says this about the Ammonites:

Doesn’t Yisrael have any children of its own?

Is there no one to inherit anything in Yisrael?

Why does the god Molek (Heb. Malkom) occupy Gad,

and its people live in their cities?[ref] 2 So listen, Yahweh declares that the time is coming

when I’ll sound the signal for battle against Ammon’s capital city Rabbah,

so it’ll become a deserted heap and its villages will be set on fire,

because Yahweh says that Yisrael will drive out those who initially drove them out. 3 Wail, Heshbon, because Ai will be devastated.

≈ Cry out and put on sackcloth, you daughters of Rabbah.

Mourn and run back and forth trying to figure out what to do

because Molek is going into captivity along with its priests and leaders.

4 Why do you brag about your fertile valleys, you faithless daughter?

You who trust in your wealth and think that no one would ever attack you.

5 Listen, this is the declaration of my master, Commander-in-chief Yahweh:

I’m about to bring terror to you from all those who surround you.

You’ll all be driven away ahead of it

and there won’t be anyone to gather those running away.

6 However in future years, I’ll restore Ammon’s people from captivity.

That is Ammon’s captivity.

28 So you, humanity’s child, prophesy and say, ‘The master Yahweh says this to the Ammonites concerning their coming disgrace: A sword, a sword is drawn. It’s sharpened for the slaughter in order to devour, so it’ll be like lightning.[ref] 29 While prophets see empty visions for you and perform rituals to come up with lies for you, this sword will lie on the necks of the wicked who are about to be killed, whose day of punishment has come and whose time of disobedience is about to end.s1 Babylon’s end ???

30 Return the sword to its sheath. I’ll judge you in the place where you were created. In your native land 31 I’ll pour my indignation out on you! I’ll fan the fire of my rage against you and hand you over to cruel men—craftsmen of destruction. 32 You’ll become fuel for the fire. Your blood will be spilled right there in your own land. You won’t be remembered, because I, Yahweh have declared it.’ ”

 Then Yahweh gave me another message:[ref] 2 “Humanity’s child, keep looking towards the Ammonites and prophesy against them. 3 Tell them to listen to this message because this is what the master Yahweh says: You celebrated my sanctuary being desecrated, and the land of Yisrael being desolate, and the kingdom of Yehudah going into exile, 4 so because of that, listen: I’m giving you to a people in the east as their possession. They’ll set up camp against you and set up their tents among you. They’ll eat your fruit and drink your milk. 5 I’ll make the Ammonite capital city, Rabbah,[fn] into a camel pasture, and the Ammonite people into a resting place for flocks. Then you people will know that I am Yahweh.

6 Because the master Yahweh says this: You clapped your hands and stamped your feet and celebrated with all the contempt within you against the Israeli nation, 7 therefore, listen Ammon. I’ll strike you down and give you as plunder to the other nations. I’ll cut you off from the people groups and make you perish from among the countries. I’ll destroy you, and you’ll know that I am Yahweh.’

 You won’t end well, you land of whirring wings

that’s on the far side of Ethiopia’s (Cush’s) rivers.[ref]

2 You who send ambassadors across the ocean

skimming over the water in papyrus vessels.

You swift messengers, go to the nation where the people are tall and smooth-skinned—

a people who are feared—a very powerful nation

from a land that’s divided by rivers.

3 All you inhabitants of the world

and those who live on the earth,

look when a signal is raised on the hills,

and listen when you hear a trumpet sounding.

4 This is what Yahweh told me:

I’ll remain quite and pay attention from my place,

like when heat shimmers with light,

like a cloud of mist in the heat at harvest time.

5 Before the harvest starts, when the blossoming has finished,

and the flowers are forming into grapes,

then he’ll cut off the unwanted shoots with the pruning knife

and cut away the long tendrils.

6 They’ll be left there for the birds of prey from the hills,

and the wild animals across the land.

The birds of prey will spend the summer on them,

and then the animals across the land will spend the winter on them.

7 At that time, a gift will be brought for Commander-in-chief Yahweh,

from those tall, smooth-skinned people who are feared by every nation.

That very powerful nation whose land is divided by rivers.

They’ll take it to Mt. Tsiyyon (Zion) where Commander-in-chief Yahweh’s name is known.

5 Assyria won’t end well.

The rod of my anger and the staff of my rage is in their hands,[ref]

6 I’ve sent their king against an arrogant nation

≈ and against the people that I’m angry with.

I order him to plunder the plunder and to prey on the prey,

and to trample them—trodden down like the mud in the streets.

7 However, that’s not what’s in his mind,

and he doesn’t even think about those things,

because he’s bent on destruction

and the elimination of not just a few nations.

8 In fact, he says,

“Aren’t all my commanders like kings?

9 We destroyed Kalno liked we did at Karkemish,

Hamat like Arpad, and Shomron (Samaria) like Damascus.

10 I’ve already punished idolatrous kingdoms,

and their idols and images were more impressive that those in Yerushalem and Shomron,

11 so just like I did to Shomron and its idols,

I’ll will also do to Yerushalem and its idols.”

12 In due course, when my master has finished all his work against Mt. Tsiyyon (Zion) and against Yerushalem, I’ll deal with the result of the Assyrian king’s proud plans and the arrogant attitude that he displays, 13 because he says,

“It was my own strength and initiatives that got me this far,

and by using my wisdom, because I was discerning.

Now I’ve removed the boundaries of the peoples,

and I’ve stolen their treasures,

and like a powerful animal, I’ve brought down the inhabitants.

14 My hand has seized the wealth of the nations

just like someone taking the eggs out of a nest.

I gathered it from all over the world

but no one fluttered a wing, or opened a mouth and chirped.

15 Will the axe say its greater than the person who swings it?

≈ Will the saw praise itself more than the one who uses it?

As if a rod could move those who are lifting it up,

≈ or a staff could lift up what’s not made from wood.

16 Therefore, my master, Commander-in-chief Yahweh

will make his muscular warriors waste away,

and instead of the Assyrian king getting glory,

he’ll get his fingers burnt like with a burning flame.

17 Then Yisrael’s light will become a fire,

≈ and its holy one a flame,

→ and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day.

18 His beautiful forest and his fruitful land

will be steadily destroyed,

like a sick person who wastes away.

19 There’ll be so few trees left in his forest that even a child could count them.

20 At that time, the remnant of Yisrael, i.e., the survivors of Yakov’s descendants, will no longer rely on that king who makes them suffer, but instead will rely on Yahweh, Yisrael’s holy one. 21 A remnant of Yisrael will return to their powerful god. 22 Although the Israelis are currently very numerous, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed because justice must prevail[ref] 23 Yes, complete destruction has been decreed by my master Yahweh and he’s about to apply it throughout the country.

24 Because of that, my master, Commander-in-chief Yahweh says, “My people living in Tsiyyon (Zion), don’t be afraid of the Assyrians. They’ll beat you with a rod and raise their staff against you like the Egyptians did 25 for a little while longer, and then I’ll be upset with the Assyrians and my anger will lead to their destruction. 26 Commander-in-chief Yahweh will wave a whip against them, like when the Midianites were struck at Orev rock, and wave his staff over the sea like they did leaving Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim). 27 Then at that time, he’ll lift his load off your shoulders and his yoke from off your neck, and that yoke will be broken as you begin to thrive again.

28 The enemy has come to Ayat, passed through Migron, storing their supplies north of Yerushalem at Mikmas. 29 They’ve crossed over the pass. They camped at Geba. Ramah is trembling, and Gibeah of Shaul has fled.

30 Cry out for help daughter of Gallim,

pay attention Layshah,

you’ll suffer Antoti.

31 Madmenah flees,

the residents of Gevim are taken to safety.

32 Yet today he will stand at Nod,

shaking his fist at the daughter of Tsiyyon—

the hill of Yerushalem.

33 Listen, my master, Commander-in-chief Yahweh will cut off the branches with a crash,

and the tallest of the tall will be cut down,

≈ and the high and mighty will be brought low.

34 He’ll chop down the thickets in the forest with an axe,

→ and Lebanon will be felled by the mighty one.

24 Commander-in-chief Yahweh has promised,[ref]

“Everything that I intended will certainly happen,

≈ and what I’ve planned will come to pass.

25 To break Asirya (Assyria) in my land,

≈ and trample them down on my hills.

Its yoke will be lifted from their necks

≈ and its burden lifted from their shoulder.

26 That’s the plan for the whole world,

≈ and Yahweh’s hand is ready to strike all the nations.

27 Commander-in-chief Yahweh has made his plans and who could prevent him?

≈ His arm is stretched out and who could turn it back?

2 Yahweh is a jealous[fn] God who avenges.

≈ Yahweh avenges and is full of anger.

He takes vengeance on his opponents,

≈ and he continues to be angry with his enemies.

3 Yahweh is slow to get angry, but very powerful.

He certainly won’t allow guilty people to go unpunished.

He walks among whirlwinds and storms,

≈ and clouds are like dust stirred up by his feet.

4 He scolds the ocean and makes it sand.

≈ He dries up all the rivers.

Bashan and Karmel wither up.

≈ He makes the flowers wilt in Lebanon.

5 The mountains shake when he appears,

≈ and the hills melt.

The ground heaves at his presence—

actually the entire world and all its residents.

6 What can withstand his indignation?

≈ Who can resist his fierce anger?

His anger is poured out like fire,

and rocks shatter in front of him.

7 Yahweh is good at sheltering us when trouble comes.

≈ He recognises those go to him for protection.

8 He’ll completely destroy his opponents with a rushing flood.

≈ He will chase his enemies into the darkness.

9 Whatever is plotted against Yahweh,

he’ll completely destroy it.

≈ Trouble won’t return a second time.

10 They’ll get tangled up as if in thorns,

and they’ll walk like drunks.

They’ll be burnt up completely like dry stubble.

11 Someone in Nineveh made a decision,

to plot evil against Yahweh.

Someone with wicked plans.

12 This is what Yahweh says:

Even though the Assyrians are numerous and well equipped.

they’ll be destroyed anyway and will be no more.

Although I’ve afflicted you my people,

I won’t afflict you any more.

13 I’ll free your neck from their harness.

≈ I’ll snap their chains that are holding you.

14 Yahweh has given instructions about you, Nineveh.

You’ll have no more descendants to carry on your name.

I’ll destroy your idols and images in your temples.

I’ll dig your grave because you’re despised.

15 My people, look, a messenger is running across the hills.[ref]

He’ll be bringing good news—announcing peace.

So celebrate your festivals Yehudah, and keep your promises,

because that wicked country won’t invade you again—it’ll be destroyed.

2 The ones who’ll scatter you are getting ready to attack you.

Guard the city walls.

Watch the roads.

Be dressed for battle.

Gather your troops together.

2 Yahweh is restoring Yakob’s (Jacob’s) greatness,

like Yisrael’s greatness before,

even though the invaders took their valuables and destroyed their vineyards.

3 The enemy’s powerful warriors hold red shields,

≈ and his soldiers are dressed in scarlet.

The metal on their chariots gleams

as they get them ready that day,

and their cypress spears are held ready.

4 Their chariots drive madly through the streets,

≈ and rush back and forth across the squares.

They look like flaming torches,

≈ and dart across like lightning.

5 He calls his officers—

They stumble as they march.

They hurry to attack the city wall,

and to set up the movable roof for protection.

6 The river gates are forced open,

and the palace collapses in the flood.

7 She’s[fn] stripped ready to be taken away.

Her slave girls moan like doves as they beat their chests.

8 In the good days, Nineveh was like a refreshing pool of water.

but now they’re fleeing from it.

“Stop, stop,” they say, but no one comes back.

9 “Grab the gold, seize the silver.”

There’s no end to the treasure.

≈ Plenty of valuable things.

10 Nineveh’s all emptiness and desolation,

devastation and hearts melting.

Knees trembling and aching stomachs.

Their faces all gone very pale.

11 What happened to that ‘lion’s den’—

the place where young cubs were fed?

The place where the lion and lioness walked—

where the cubs were safe with nothing to terrify them.

12 The lion tore apart enough for the cubs,

≈ and strangled prey for his lionesses.

He filled his lairs with prey

≈ and his dens with torn flesh.

13 Commander-in-chief Yahweh declares that he’s against you.

He’ll burn your chariots up in smoke,

and your young men will be killed with swords.

He’ll take your prey away from you,

and the voices of your messengers won’t be heard anymore.

3 The city of bloodshed will have a bad end.

It’s full of lies and stolen property.

Always taking plunder—never letting go.

2 The sound of whips and the rattling of wheels.

Horses galloping and chariots jolting.

3 Charging horsemen, flashing swords, glittering spears.

Many slain—heaps of corpses.

≈ Uncountable bodies—people trip over them.

4 That will happen because the beautiful prostitute had so much business.

She’s the mistress of witchcraft.

She attracts other countries with her prostitution.

≈ She attracts other peoples with her sorceries.

5 Commander-in-chief Yahweh declares that he’s against you.

He’ll lift your skirt up over your head,

and show your nakedness to the other countries.

Show your shame to the various kingdoms.

6 I throw disgusting filth at you

and treat you with contempt.

I’ll make a spectacle of you.

7 Everyone who sees you will run away

and say, ‘Nineveh is destroyed.’

Who will weep for her?

Where can I find someone who’ll comfort her?

8 Are you better than Thebes city[fn] was,

where the Nile surrounded and protected her?

≈ Where the water was one of her secure walls.

9 Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength,

and her strength had no limit.

Put and Libya were her allies.

10 Yet Thebes was taken as an exile—

≈ taken into captivity.

Her young children were dashed to pieces at the top of every street.

Her captors threw dice for her nobles.

≈ All her leading men were bound in chains.

11 You, too, will become drunk.

You’ll look for places to hide.

≈ You’ll try to find somewhere to be safe from your enemies.

12 All your fortresses will be like fig trees

with the early fruit now ready.

When they’re shaken

the fruit falls right into the mouth of the eater.

13 See, your troops are like weak women.

Your city gates will be opened wide to your enemies—

their cross-bars will be destroyed by fire.

14 Get water from the wells to store for the siege.

Strengthen your fortifications.

Fetch clay and start working it.

Get the molds ready to make bricks.

15 Even so, fire will devour you.

The sword will cut you down.

They’ll chew you up like locusts.

You need to multiply like locusts and grasshoppers.

16 You have so many merchants—

more than the stars in the sky.

Like locusts, they strip valuables and then fly away.

17 Your many guards are like locusts,

and you have a swarm of officials.

On a cold morning they settle on the walls,

but when the sun rises they fly away

to some place that nobody knows about.

18 You, king of Assyia,

your shepherds have fallen asleep.

≈ Your nobles have settled down for a break.

Your people will be scattered across the hills,

with no one to gather them again.

19 Your pain will get no relief—

your wound is too severe.

Everyone who hears the news about you will do a high-five,

because there’s no one who hasn’t experienced your cruelty.