2:1 The one who scatters has come up against you. Man the fortress, watch the road; Strengthen your back, summon all {your} strength. |
2:2 For the LORD will restore the splendor of Jacob Like the splendor of Israel, Even though devastators have devastated them And destroyed their vine branches. |
2:3 The shields of his mighty men are {colored} red, The warriors are dressed in scarlet, The chariots are {enveloped} in flashing steel When he is prepared {to march,} And the cypress {spears} are brandished. |
2:4 The chariots race madly in the streets, They rush wildly in the squares, Their appearance is like torches, They dash to and fro like lightning flashes. |
2:5 He remembers his nobles; They stumble in their march, They hurry to her wall, And the mantelet is set up. |
2:6 The gates of the rivers are opened And the palace is dissolved. |
2:7 It is fixed: She is stripped, she is carried away, And her handmaids are moaning like the sound of doves, Beating on their breasts. |
2:8 Though Nineveh {was} like a pool of water throughout her days, Now they are fleeing; "Stop, stop, But no one turns back." |
2:9 Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! For there is no limit to the treasure-- Wealth from every kind of desirable object. |
2:10 She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and waste! Hearts are melting and knees knocking! Also anguish is in the whole body And all their faces are grown pale! |
2:11 Where is the den of the lions And the feeding place of the young lions, Where the lion, lioness and lion's cub prowled, With nothing to disturb {them?} |
2:12 The lion tore enough for his cubs, Killed {enough} for his lionesses, And filled his lairs with prey And his dens with torn flesh. |
2:13 "Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts. "I will burn up her chariots in smoke, a sword will devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the land, and no longer will the voice of your messengers be heard."" |