49 Heb “flocks.” The Hebrew word can refer to both flocks of sheep and herds of cattle.
50 Heb “[and] all the wild animals of a nation.” How גוֹי (goy, “nation”) relates to what precedes is unclear. It may be a corruption of another word. See J. J. M. Roberts, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (), 193.
51 The Hebrew text reads here גַּם־קָאַת גַּם־קִפֹּד (gam-qa’at gam-qippod). The term קָאַת refers to some type of bird (see Lev 11:18; Deut 14:17) that was typically found near ruins (Isa 34:11); one of the most common translations is “owl” (cf. “horned owl”; , “desert owl”; contra “pelican”). The term קִפֹּד may also refer to a type of bird (cf. “ruffed bustard”; , “screech owl”). Some suggest a rodent may be in view (cf. “hedgehog”); this is not unreasonable, for a rodent or some other small animal would be able to sleep in the tops of pillars which would be lying in the ruins of the fallen buildings.
52 Heb “a sound will sing in the window.” If some type of owl is in view, “hoot” is a more appropriate translation (cf. , ).
53 Heb “rubble [will be] on the threshold.” “Rubble” translates the Hebrew word חֹרֶב (khorev, “desolation”). Some emend to עֹרֵב (’orev, “raven”) following the and ; Adele Berlin translates, “A voice shall shriek from the window—a raven at the sill” (Zephaniah [ 25A], ).
54 The meaning of the Hebrew word translated “cedar work” (so , ) is unclear; has “the beams of cedar.”
55 Heb “one will expose.” The subject is probably indefinite, though one could translate, “for he [i.e., God] will lay bare.”
56 Heb “this is the proud city.”
57 Heb “the one that lived securely.”
58 Heb “the one who says in her heart.”
59 Heb “I [am], and besides me there is no other.”
60 Heb “hisses”; or “whistles.”
61 Hissing (or whistling) and shaking the fist were apparently ways of taunting a defeated foe or an object of derision in the culture of the time.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Herds shall lie down in her midst,

all kinds of beasts;

even the owl and the hedgehog

shall lodge in her capitals;

a voice shall hoot in the window;

devastation will be on the threshold;

for her cedar work will be laid bare.

This is the exultant city

that lived securely,

that said in her heart,

“I am, and there is no one else.”

What a desolation she has become,

a lair for wild beasts!

Everyone who passes by her

hisses and shakes his fist.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Flocks and herds will lie down there,

creatures of every kind.

The desert owl and the screech owl

will roost on her columns.

Their hooting will echo through the windows,

rubble will fill the doorways,

the beams of cedar will be exposed.

This is the city of revelry

that lived in safety.

She said to herself,

“I am the one! And there is none besides me.”

What a ruin she has become,

a lair for wild beasts!

All who pass by her scoff

and shake their fists.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Herds will lie down in the middle of it,

every kind of wild animal.

Both eagle owls and herons

will roost in the capitals of its pillars.

Their calls will sound from the window,

but devastation will be on the threshold,

for he will expose the cedar work.

This is the jubilant city

that lives in security,

that says to herself:

I exist, and there is no one else.

What a desolation she has become,

a place for wild animals to lie down!

Everyone who passes by her

scoffs and shakes his fist.

NLTNew Living Translation

The proud city will become a pasture for flocks and herds,

and all sorts of wild animals will settle there.

The desert owl and screech owl will roost on its ruined columns,

their calls echoing through the gaping windows.

Rubble will block all the doorways,

and the cedar paneling will be exposed to the weather.

This is the boisterous city,

once so secure.

“I am the greatest!” it boasted.

“No other city can compare with me!”

But now, look how it has become an utter ruin,

a haven for wild animals.

Everyone passing by will laugh in derision

and shake a defiant fist.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Herds shall lie down in her midst,

every wild animal of a nation;

even the desert owl and the screech owl

shall lodge on her capitals.

A voice shall hoot in the window;

rubble on the threshold;

for the cedar is laid bare.

This is the city of rejoicing

that lived securely;

the one saying in her heart,

“I am, and there is none besides me.”

How she has become a desolation,

a lair for wild animals!

Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.

KJV 1900King James Version

And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations:

Both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it;

Their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds:

For he shall uncover the cedar work.

This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly,

That said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me:

How is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in!

Every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.

Public Domain