1. Nineveh, someone is comingto attack and scatter you.Guard your fortresses!Watch the road! Be brave!Prepare for battle!
2. Judah and Israel are like treeswith branches brokenby their enemies.But the Lord is going to restoretheir power and glory.
3-4. Nineveh, on this day of attack,your enemies' shields are red;their uniforms are crimson.Their horses prance,and their armoured chariotsdart around like lightningor flaming torches.
5. An officer gives a command.But his soldiers stumble,as they hasten to builda shelter to protect themselvesagainst rocks thrown downfrom the city wall.
6. The river gates fly open,and panic floods the palace.
7. Nineveh is disgraced.The queen is dragged off.Her servant women mourn;they sound like doves,and they beat their breastsin sorrow.
8. Nineveh is like a pondwith leaking water.Shouts of “Stop! Don't go!”can be heard everywhere.But everyone is leaving.
9. Enemy soldiers shout,“The city is full of treasureand all kinds of wealth.Steal her silver! Grab her gold!”
10. Nineveh is doomed! Destroyed!Her people tremble with fear;their faces turn pale.
11. What happened to this city?They were safer therethan powerful lions in a den,with no one to disturb them.
12. These are the same lionsthat ferociously attackedtheir victims,then dragged away the fleshto feed their young.