Dual Panel1Nineveh, someone is coming to attack and scatter you. Guard your fortresses! Watch the road! Be brave! Prepare for battle!
2Judah and Israel are like trees with branches broken by their enemies. But the Lord is going to restore their power and glory.
3Nineveh, on this day of attack, your enemies' shields are red; their uniforms are crimson. Their horses prance, and their armoured chariots dart around like lightning or flaming torches.
4(2:3)
5An officer gives a command. But his soldiers stumble, as they hasten to build a shelter to protect themselves against rocks thrown down from the city wall.
6The river gates fly open, and panic floods the palace.
7Nineveh is disgraced. The queen is dragged off. Her servant women mourn; they sound like doves, and they beat their breasts in sorrow.
8Nineveh is like a pond with leaking water. Shouts of “Stop! Don't go!” can be heard everywhere. But everyone is leaving.
9Enemy soldiers shout, “The city is full of treasure and all kinds of wealth. Steal her silver! Grab her gold!”
10Nineveh is doomed! Destroyed! Her people tremble with fear; their faces turn pale.
11What happened to this city? They were safer there than powerful lions in a den, with no one to disturb them.
12These are the same lions that ferociously attacked their victims, then dragged away the flesh to feed their young.
13The Lord All-Powerful, is against you, Nineveh. God will burn your chariots and send an army to kill those young lions of yours. You will never again make victims of others or send messengers to threaten everyone on this earth.