The shields of his[a] warriors are dyed red;
the valiant men are dressed in scarlet.(A)
The fittings of the chariot flash like fire(B)
on the day of its battle preparations,
and the spears are brandished.
The chariots dash madly through the streets;
they rush around in the plazas.
They look like torches;
they dart back and forth like lightning.
He gives orders to his officers;
they stumble as they advance.
They race to its wall;
the protective shield is set in place.
The river gates are opened,
and the palace erodes away.(C)

Beauty[b] is stripped;[c]
she is carried away;
her ladies-in-waiting moan
like the sound of doves(D)
and beat their breasts.(E)
Nineveh has been like a pool of water
from her first days,[d]
but they are fleeing.
“Stop! Stop!” they cry,
but no one turns back.
“Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold!” (F)
There is no end to the treasure,
an abundance of every precious thing.(G)
10 Desolation, decimation, devastation!
Hearts melt,(H)
knees tremble,(I)
insides churn,(J)
every face grows pale!(K)

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Footnotes

  1. 2:3 = the army commander attacking Nineveh
  2. 2:7 Text emended; MT reads Huzzab
  3. 2:7 Hb obscure
  4. 2:8 Hb obscure

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