1. Doom to the crime capital!Nineveh, city of murderand treachery,
2. here is your fate—cracking whips,churning wheels;galloping horses,roaring chariots;
3. cavalry attacking,swords and spears flashing;soldiers stumblingover piles of dead bodies.
4. You were nothing morethan a prostituteusing your magical charmsand witchcraftto attract and trap nations.
5. But I, the Lord All-Powerful,am now your enemy.I will pull up your skirtand let nations and kingdomsstare at your nakedness.
6. I will cover you with rubbish,treat you like trash,and rub you in the dirt.
7. Everyone who sees youwill turn away and shout,“Nineveh is done for!Is anyone willing to mournor to give her comfort?”
8. Nineveh, do you feel saferthan the city of Thebes?The River Nilewas its wall of defence.
9. Thebes trusted the mighty powerof Ethiopia and Egypt;the nations of Put and Libyawere her allies.
10. But she was captured and takento a foreign country.Her children were murderedat every street corner.The members of her royal familywere auctioned off,and her high officialswere bound in chains.
11. Nineveh, now it's your turn!You will get drunk and try to hidefrom your enemy.
12. Your fortresses are fig treeswith ripe figs.Merely shake the trees,and fruit will fallinto every open mouth.