Nahum 2

Attack against Nineveh

1 One who scatters is coming up against you.  * 2:1 Ezk 29:12–13; 30:23,26

Man the fortifications!

Watch the road!

Brace  * 2:1 Lit Strengthen yourself!

Summon all your strength!  * 2:1 Pr 24:5; Am 2:14

2 For the Lord will restore the majesty of Jacob,  * 2:2 Ps 47:4; Am 6:8; 8:7

yes,  * 2:2 Or like the majesty of Israel,

though ravagers have ravaged them  * 2:2 Is 24:1,3

and ruined their vine branches.  * 2:2 Ps 80:12–15; Jr 12:10

3 The shields of his  * 2:3 = the army commander attacking Nineveh  warriors are dyed red;

the valiant men are dressed in scarlet.  * 2:3 Ezk 23:14

The fittings of the chariot flash like fire  * 2:3 2Kg 2:11; 6:17; Is 66:15

on the day of its battle preparations,

and the spears are brandished.

4 The chariots dash madly through the streets;

they rush around in the plazas.

They look like torches;

they dart back and forth like lightning.

5 He gives orders to his officers;

they stumble as they advance.

They race to its wall;

the protective shield is set in place.

6 The river gates are opened,

and the palace erodes away.  * 2:6 Nah 1:8

7 Beauty  * 2:7 Text emended; MT reads Huzzab is stripped;  * 2:7 Hb obscure

she is carried away;

her ladies-in-waiting moan

like the sound of doves  * 2:7 Is 38:14; 59:11

and beat their breasts.  * 2:7 Is 32:12

8 Nineveh has been like a pool of water

from her first days,  * 2:8 Hb obscure

but they are fleeing.

"Stop! Stop! " they cry,

but no one turns back.

9 "Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! "  * 2:9 Ezk 38:13

There is no end to the treasure,

an abundance of every precious thing.  * 2:9 2Ch 32:27; 36:10; Dn 11:8; Nah 3:3

10 Desolation, decimation, devastation!

Hearts melt,  * 2:10 Dt 20:8; Jos 7:5; Is 13:7; 19:1; Ezk 21:7,15

knees tremble,  * 2:10 Is 35:3

insides churn,  * 2:10 Ps 69:23

every face grows pale!  * 2:10 Is 21:3; Jl 2:6

11 Where is the lions’ lair,  * 2:11 Is 2:15; 5:26–29; Jr 4:7; 5:6; 50:17; 51:38; Jl 1:6; Am 3:12

or the feeding ground of the young lions,

where the lion and lioness prowled,

and the lion’s cub,

with nothing to frighten them away?  * 2:11 Lv 26:6; Dt 28:26; Jr 7:33

12 The lion mauled whatever its cubs needed

and strangled prey for its lionesses.

It filled up its dens with the kill,

and its lairs with mauled prey.  * 2:12 Jb 38:39–40

13 Beware, I am against you.  * 2:13 Jr 21:13; 23:30–32; 50:31; 51:25; Ezk 5:8; 13:8; 21:3; 26:3; 28:22; 29:3,10; 38:3; 39:1; Nah 3:5

This is the declaration of the  Lord of Armies.

I will make your chariots go up in smoke,  * 2:13 Lit will burn her chariots in smoke

and the sword will devour your young lions.  * 2:13 Is 31:8; Jr 46:10

I will cut off your prey from the earth,

and the sound of your messengers

will never be heard again.  * 2:13 Rv 18:22–23