⁶ A nation has invaded my land,
    a mighty army without number;^(A)
it has the teeth^(B) of a lion,
    the fangs of a lioness.

⁷ It has laid waste^(A) my vines
    and ruined my fig trees.^(B)
It has stripped off their bark
    and thrown it away,
    leaving their branches white.

²     a day of darkness^(A) and gloom,^(B)
    a day of clouds^(C) and blackness.^(D)
Like dawn spreading across the mountains
    a large and mighty army^(E) comes,
such as never was in ancient times^(F)
    nor ever will be in ages to come.

³ Before them fire^(G) devours,
    behind them a flame blazes.
Before them the land is like the garden of Eden,^(H)
    behind them, a desert waste^(I)—
    nothing escapes them.
⁴ They have the appearance of horses;^(J)
    they gallop along like cavalry.
⁵ With a noise like that of chariots^(K)
    they leap over the mountaintops,
like a crackling fire^(L) consuming stubble,
    like a mighty army drawn up for battle.

⁶ At the sight of them, nations are in anguish;^(M)
    every face turns pale.^(N)
7 They charge like warriors;^(O)
    they scale walls like soldiers.
They all march in line,^(P)
    not swerving^(Q) from their course.
⁸ They do not jostle each other;
    each marches straight ahead.
They plunge through defenses
    without breaking ranks.
⁹ They rush upon the city;
    they run along the wall.
They climb into the houses;^(R)
    like thieves they enter through the windows.^(S)