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The shields of his warriors are red;
    his soldiers are clothed in crimson.
The metal on the chariots flashes
    on the day when he musters them;
    the chargers[a] prance.(A)
The chariots race madly through the streets;
    they rush to and fro through the squares;
their appearance is like torches;
    they dart like lightning.(B)
He calls his officers;
    they stumble as they come forward;
they hasten to the wall,
    and the screen[b] is set up.
The river gates are opened;
    the palace trembles.
It is decreed[c] that the city[d] be exiled,
    its slave women led away,
moaning like doves
    and beating their breasts.(C)
Nineveh is like a pool
    whose waters[e] run away.
“Halt! Halt!”—
    but no one turns back.(D)
“Plunder the silver;
    plunder the gold!
There is no end of treasure!
    An abundance of every precious thing!”

10 Devastation, desolation, and destruction!
    Hearts faint and knees tremble;
all loins quake;
    all faces grow pale!(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 2.3 Cn Compare Gk Syr: Heb cypresses
  2. 2.5 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  3. 2.7 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  4. 2.7 Heb it
  5. 2.8 Cn Compare Gk: Heb a pool, from the days that she has become, and they

The shields of the soldiers are red;
    the warriors are clad in scarlet.(A)
The metal on the chariots flashes
    on the day they are made ready;
    the spears of juniper are brandished.[a]
The chariots(B) storm through the streets,
    rushing back and forth through the squares.
They look like flaming torches;
    they dart about like lightning.

Nineveh summons her picked troops,
    yet they stumble(C) on their way.
They dash to the city wall;
    the protective shield is put in place.
The river gates(D) are thrown open
    and the palace collapses.
It is decreed[b] that Nineveh
    be exiled and carried away.
Her female slaves moan(E) like doves
    and beat on their breasts.(F)
Nineveh is like a pool
    whose water is draining away.
“Stop! Stop!” they cry,
    but no one turns back.
Plunder the silver!
    Plunder the gold!
The supply is endless,
    the wealth from all its treasures!
10 She is pillaged, plundered, stripped!
    Hearts melt,(G) knees give way,
    bodies tremble, every face grows pale.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. Nahum 2:3 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac ready; / the horsemen rush to and fro.
  2. Nahum 2:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.