1 He who breaks in pieces has come up against you: Safeguard the fortress, watch the way, make your loins strong, and reinforce your power.

2 Jehovah will restore the pride of Jacob just like the pride of Israel. The devastators have emptied them out and destroyed their vine-branches.

3 The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are dressed in scarlet: the chariots flash with steel in the day of his preparation, and the cypress tree spears are brandished.

4 The chariots wildly race through the streets. They rush to and fro in the broad ways. They look like torches and they run like lightning.

5 He remembers his majestic ones. They stumble as they march. They hurry to the wall to prepare the barricade.

6 The gates of the rivers are opened and the palace is dissolved.

7 It is decreed: she is uncovered! She is carried away and her handmaids moan like the sound of doves, beating on their chests.

8 Nineveh has been from of old like a pool of water: yet they flee away. »Stand, stand,« they cry; but none looks back.

9 Take the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold for there is no limit to the amount of desirable things.

10 She is empty and void, a city laid waste! The hearts melt and the knees knock together. There is pain in all the hips and their faces have all grown pale.

11 Where is the lions den, the feeding-place of young lions? Where have the lion and the lioness walked where none have made them afraid?

12 The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses. He filled his caves and dens with prey.

13 »I am against you,« said Jehovah of Hosts! »I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword will devour your young lions. I will destroy your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers will be heard no more.«