²⁹ At the sound of horsemen and archers^(A)
    every town takes to flight.^(B)
Some go into the thickets;
    some climb up among the rocks.^(C)
All the towns are deserted;^(D)
    no one lives in them.

“Look, an army is coming
    from the land of the north;^(A)
a great nation is being stirred up
    from the ends of the earth.^(B)
23 They are armed with bow and spear;
    they are cruel and show no mercy.^(C)
They sound like the roaring sea^(D)
    as they ride on their horses;^(E)
they come like men in battle formation
    to attack you, Daughter Zion.^(F)”