18 Heb “raise up” (so , ).
19 Heb “bitter.” Other translation options for this word in this context include “fierce” (, ); “savage” (); or “grim.”
20 Heb “hasty, quick.” Some translate here “impetuous” (so , , , ) or “rash,” but in this context greed may very well be the idea. The Babylonians move quickly and recklessly ahead in their greedy quest to expand their empire.
21 Heb “the open spaces.”
22 Heb “from him his justice, even his lifting up, goes out.” In this context שְׂאֵת (sé’et) probably has the nuance “authority.” See R. D. Patterson, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (), 150.
23 Heb “sharper,” in the sense of “keener” or “more alert.” Some translate “quicker” on the basis of the parallelism with the first line (see חדד).
24 Heb “wolves of the evening,” that is, wolves that prowl at night. The present translation assumes an emendation to עֲרָבָה (’aravah, “desert”). On this phrase see also Zeph 3:3.
25 Or “horsemen,” “cavalry.”
26 The precise nuance of the rare verb פָּוַשׁ (parash) is unclear here. Elsewhere it is used of animals jumping or leaping (see Jer 50:11; Mal 4:2).
27 Or “eagle” (so , ). The term can refer to either eagles or vultures, but in this context of gruesome destruction and death “vulture” is preferred.
28 Heb “they fly like a vulture/an eagle quickly to devour.” The direct object “their prey” is not included in the Hebrew text but is implied, and has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans,

that bitter and hasty nation,

who march through the breadth of the earth,

to seize dwellings not their own.

They are dreaded and fearsome;

their justice and dignity go forth from themselves.

Their horses are swifter than leopards,

more fierce than the evening wolves;

their horsemen press proudly on.

Their horsemen come from afar;

they fly like an eagle swift to devour.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

I am raising up the Babylonians,

that ruthless and impetuous people,

who sweep across the whole earth

to seize dwellings not their own.

They are a feared and dreaded people;

they are a law to themselves

and promote their own honor.

Their horses are swifter than leopards,

fiercer than wolves at dusk.

Their cavalry gallops headlong;

their horsemen come from afar.

They fly like an eagle swooping to devour;

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Look! I am raising up the Chaldeans,

that bitter, impetuous nation

that marches across the earth’s open spaces

to seize territories not its own.

They are fierce and terrifying;

their views of justice and sovereignty

stem from themselves.

Their horses are swifter than leopards

and more fierce than wolves of the night.

Their horsemen charge ahead;

their horsemen come from distant lands.

They fly like eagles, swooping to devour.

NLTNew Living Translation

I am raising up the Babylonians,

a cruel and violent people.

They will march across the world

and conquer other lands.

They are notorious for their cruelty

and do whatever they like.

Their horses are swifter than cheetahs

and fiercer than wolves at dusk.

Their charioteers charge from far away.

Like eagles, they swoop down to devour their prey.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

For look! I am raising up the Chaldeans,

the bitter and impetuous nation,

the one who walks through the spacious places of earth

to take possession of dwellings not belonging to it.

They are dreadful and awesome;

their justice and their dignity proceed from themselves.

Their horses are more swift than leopards;

they are more menacing than wolves at dusk.

Their horsemen gallop; their horsemen come from afar;

they fly like an eagle that is swift to devour.

KJV 1900King James Version

For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation,

Which shall march through the breadth of the land,

To possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.

They are terrible and dreadful:

Their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.

Their horses also are swifter than the leopards,

And are more fierce than the evening wolves:

And their horsemen shall spread themselves,

And their horsemen shall come from far;

They shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.

Public Domain