Dual PanelA Message About the Philistines
1This is the message from the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet about the Philistines. This message came before Pharaoh attacked the city of Gaza.
2This is what the LORD says: “Look, the enemy is gathering in the north like rising water. They will come like a river spilling over its banks. They will cover the whole country like a flood. They will cover the towns and the people living in them. Everyone in the country will cry for help. Everyone will cry out in pain.
3They will hear the sound of running horses, the noisy chariots, the rumbling wheels. Fathers will not be able to protect their children. They will be too weak to help,
4because the time has come to destroy all the Philistines. The time has come to destroy all who help Tyre and Sidon. The LORD will destroy the Philistines, those who came from the island of Crete.
5The people from Gaza will be sad and shave their heads. The people from Ashkelon will be silenced. Survivors from the valley, how long will you cut yourselves?
6“Sword of the LORD, you have not stopped. How long will you keep fighting? Go back into your scabbard! Stop! Be still!
7But how can the sword of the Lord rest? The LORD gave it a command. He commanded it to attack the city of Ashkelon and the seacoast.”