He that dasheth in pieces is come up against thee: keep the fortress, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily. 2For Jehovah restoreth the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel; for the emptiers have emptied them out, and destroyed their vine-branches. 3The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots flash with steel in the day of his preparation, and the cypress spears are brandished. 4The chariots rage in the streets; they rush to and fro in the broad ways: the appearance of them is like torches; they run like the lightnings. 5He remembereth his nobles: they stumble in their march; they make haste to the wall thereof, and the mantelet is prepared. 6The gates of the rivers are opened, and the palace is dissolved. 7And it is decreed: she is uncovered, she is carried away; and her handmaids moan as with the voice of doves, beating upon their breasts.

8But Nineveh hath been from of old like a pool of water: yet they flee away. Stand, stand, they cry; but none looketh back.