1 * 2.1 No texto hebraico, os versículos 2.1-13 são numerados 2.2-14. Ó Nínive, seu inimigo vem destruí-la.

Guarde as muralhas! Vigie as estradas!

Prepare suas defesas! Reúna suas forças!

2 Embora os saqueadores tenham despojado Israel,

o Senhor restaurará sua honra.

Os ramos da videira foram arrancados,

mas ele restaurará seu esplendor.

3 Os escudos de seus guerreiros são vermelhos;

vejam os uniformes escarlates dos soldados valentes!

Observem seus reluzentes carros de guerra se alinharem,

enquanto as lanças se agitam acima deles.

4 Os implacáveis carros de guerra percorrem as ruas

e atravessam velozes as praças.

Brilham como tochas de fogo

e se movem com a rapidez de relâmpagos.

5 Os oficiais são convocados

e, de tanta pressa, saem tropeçando,

correndo para os muros a fim de organizar as defesas.

6 As comportas do rio foram abertas!

O palácio está prestes a desabar!

7 O exílio de Nínive foi decretado,

e todas as servas lamentam sua derrota.

Gemem como pombas

e batem no peito em sinal de tristeza.

8 Nínive é como um açude rompido,

que deixa vazar seu povo.

"Parem! Parem!", alguém grita,

mas ninguém olha para trás.

9 Saqueiem a prata!

Levem o ouro!

Os tesouros de Nínive não têm fim;

sua riqueza é incalculável.

10 A cidade é saqueada e fica vazia e arruinada;

corações se derretem e joelhos vacilam.

O povo fica angustiado,

de rosto pálido, tremendo de medo.

11 Onde está agora a grande Nínive,

toca cheia de leões?

Ali o povo, como leões e seus filhotes,

andava livremente e sem temor.

12 O leão despedaçava a carne para seus filhotes

e estrangulava a presa para a leoa.

Enchia sua toca de presas

e suas cavernas, de despojos.

13 "Sou seu inimigo!",

diz o Senhor dos Exércitos.

"Em breve seus carros serão queimados,

e seus jovens*2.13 Em hebraico, leões jovens. morrerão na batalha.

Você nunca mais saqueará nações conquistadas;

jamais se ouvirá novamente a voz de seus mensageiros."

1 He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.*2.1 He…: or, The disperser, or, hammer 2 For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches.*2.2 the excellency of Jacob…: or, the pride of Jacob as the pride, etc 3 The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.*2.3 in scarlet: or, dyed scarlet*2.3 flaming: or, fiery 4 The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.*2.4 they: Heb. their show 5 He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.*2.5 worthies: or, gallants*2.5 defence: Heb. covering, or, coverer 6 The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved.*2.6 dissolved: or, molten 7 And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts.*2.7 Huzzab: or, that which was established, or, there was a stand made*2.7 led…: or, discovered 8 But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.*2.8 of old: or, from the days that she hath been*2.8 look back: or, cause them to turn 9 Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture.*2.9 for…: or, and their infinite store, etc*2.9 pleasant…: Heb. vessels of desire 10 She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.

11 Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion’s whelp, and none made them afraid? 12 The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin. 13 Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.