31 Wail, you gate! Howl, you city!

Melt away, all you Philistines!

A cloud of smoke comes from the north,

and there is not a straggler in its ranks.

32 What answer shall be given

to the envoys of that nation?

“The Lord has established Zion,

and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.”

31 Howl, O gate; cry, O city;

Thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved:

For there shall come from the north a smoke,

And none shall be alone in his appointed times.

32 What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation?

That the Lord hath founded Zion,

And the poor of his people shall trust in it.

31 Wail at the gates! Weep in the cities!

Melt with fear, you Philistines!

A powerful army comes like smoke from the north.

Each soldier rushes forward eager to fight.

32 What should we tell the Philistine messengers? Tell them,

“The Lord has built Jerusalem;

its walls will give refuge to his oppressed people.”

31 Wail, O gate! Cry, O city!

All you of Philistia are dissolved;

For smoke will come from the north,

And no one will be alone in his appointed times.”

32 What will they answer the messengers of the nation?

That the Lord has founded Zion,

And the poor of His people shall take refuge in it.

31 People near the city gates, cry out!

Philistines, be frightened,

because a cloud of dust comes from the north.

It is an army, full of men ready to fight.

32 What shall we tell the messengers from Philistia?

Say that the Lord has made Jerusalem strong

and that his poor people will go there for safety.

31 Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou art melted away, O Philistia, all of thee; for there cometh a smoke out of the north, and there is no straggler in his ranks.

32 What then shall one answer the messengers of the nation? That Jehovah hath founded Zion, and in her shall the afflicted of his people take refuge.

31 Howl, O gate! cry, O city! thou, Philistia, art wholly dissolved; for there cometh from the north a smoke, and none remaineth apart in his gatherings of troops. 32 And what shall be answered to the messengers of the nation? That Jehovah hath founded Zion, and the afflicted of his people find refuge in it.

31 Cry loudly in the gate! 

Cry out in the city! 

Be frightened, all you Philistines! 

Smoke comes from the north, 

and there are no stragglers in its ranks. 

32 How should we answer the messengers from the nations? 

⸤Tell them that⸥ the Lord has laid Zion’s foundation, 

and his humble people will find refuge in it. 

31 Wail, you gates! Cry out, city!

Tremble with fear, all Philistia!

For a cloud of dust is coming from the north,

and there is no one missing from the invader’s ranks.

32 What answer will be given to the messengers from that nation?

The Lord has founded Zion,

and His afflicted people find refuge in her.

31 Wail, O gate; cry, O city;

melt in fear, O Philistia, all of you!

For smoke comes out of the north,

and there is no straggler in its ranks.

32 What will one answer the messengers of the nation?

“The Lord has founded Zion,

and the needy among his people

will find refuge in her.”

31 Wail, gate! Cry, city!

Melt, Philistia, all of you!

For smoke is coming from the north,

and there is no straggler in his ranks.

32 And what will one answer the messengers of the nation?

That Yahweh has founded Zion,

and the needy of his people will take refuge in it.

31 “Cities of Philistia, cry out for help! Scream in pain!

All of you Philistines, melt away in fear!

An army is coming from the north in a cloud of dust.

No one in its ranks is falling behind.

32 What answer should be given

to the messengers from that nation?

Tell them, ‘The Lord has made Zion secure.

His suffering people will find safety there.’ ”

31 “Wail, O gate; cry, O city;

Melt away, O Philistia, all of you;

For smoke comes from the north,

And there is no straggler in his ranks.

32 “How then will one answer the messengers of the nation?

That the Lord has founded Zion,

And the afflicted of His people will seek refuge in it.”