Nahum 2:1–10

ATTACK AGAINST NINEVEH

2One who scatters is coming up against you.^v

Man the fortifications!

Watch the road!

Brace^C yourself!

Summon all your strength!^a

²For the Lord will restore the majesty of Jacob,^b

yes,^D the majesty of Israel,

though ravagers have ravaged them^c

and ruined their vine branches.^d

³The shields of his^E warriors are dyed red;

the valiant men are dressed in scarlet.^e

The fittings of the chariot flash like fire^f

on the day of its battle preparations,

and the spears are brandished.

⁴The chariots dash madly through the streets;

they rush around in the plazas.

They look like torches;

they dart back and forth like lightning.

⁵He gives orders to his officers;

they stumble as they advance.

They race to its wall;

the protective shield is set in place.

⁶The river gates are opened,

and the palace erodes away.^g

⁷Beauty^F is stripped;^G

she is carried away;

her ladies-in-waiting moan

like the sound of doves^h

and beat their breasts.ⁱ

⁸Nineveh has been like a pool of water

from her first days,^G

but they are fleeing.

“Stop! Stop!” they cry,

but no one turns back.

⁹“Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold!”^j

There is no end to the treasure,

an abundance of every precious thing.^k

¹⁰Desolation, decimation, devastation!

Hearts melt,^l

knees tremble,^m

insides churn,ⁿ

every face grows pale!^o