Nahum 2:1–10

The Lord Will Destroy Nineveh

2Nineveh, armies are coming to attack you.

Guard the forts!

Watch the roads!

Get ready!

Gather all of your strength!

²Assyria once took everything of value from God’s people.

Its army destroyed all of their vines.

But the Lord will bring back

the glory of Jacob’s people.

He’ll make Israel glorious again.

³The shields of the soldiers attacking Nineveh are red.

The armies are dressed in bright red uniforms.

The metal on their chariots flashes

when they are prepared for war.

Their spears are ready to use.

⁴The chariots race through the main streets.

They rush back and forth through them.

They look like flaming torches.

They dart around like lightning.

⁵The commander of the attackers

sends for his special troops.

But they trip and fall on their way.

They run toward the city wall.

They keep their shield in front of them.

⁶They open the gates that hold back

the waters of the river.

And the palace falls down.

⁷The attackers order that the city’s people

be taken away as prisoners.

The female slaves cry like sad doves.

They beat their chests.

⁸Nineveh is like a pool.

Its water is draining away.

“Stop running away!” someone cries out.

But no one turns back.

⁹“Steal the silver!” the attackers shout.

“Grab the gold!”

The supply is endless.

There is plenty of wealth

among all of the city’s treasures.

¹⁰Nineveh is destroyed, robbed and stripped!

Hearts melt away in fear.

Knees give way.

Bodies tremble with fear.

Everyone’s face turns pale.