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13 He will stretch out his hand against the north, destroy Assyria, and will make Nineveh a desolation, as dry as the wilderness. 14 Herds will lie down in the middle of her, all the animals of the nations. Both the pelican and the porcupine will lodge in its capitals. Their calls will echo through the windows. Desolation will be in the thresholds, for he has laid bare the cedar beams. 15 This is the joyous city that lived carelessly, that said in her heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me.” How she has become a desolation, a place for animals to lie down in! Everyone who passes by her will hiss, and shake their fists.

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13 And He will (A)stretch out His hand against the north
And eliminate (B)Assyria,
And He will make (C)Nineveh a desolation,
Parched like the wilderness.
14 Flocks will lie down in her midst,
[a]All animals that range in herds;
Both the [b](D)pelican and the hedgehog
Will spend their nights in [c]the tops of her pillars;
[d]Birds will sing in the window,
Devastation will be on the threshold;
For He has uncovered the cedar work.
15 This is the (E)presumptuous city
That (F)dwells securely,
Who says in her heart,
(G)I am, and there is no one besides me.”
How she has become a (H)desolation,
A resting place for animals!
(I)Everyone who passes by her will [e]hiss
And wave his hand in contempt.

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Footnotes

  1. Zephaniah 2:14 Or All kinds of beasts in crowds; lit Every kind of beast of a nation
  2. Zephaniah 2:14 Or owl; or jackdaw
  3. Zephaniah 2:14 Lit her capitals
  4. Zephaniah 2:14 Lit A voice
  5. Zephaniah 2:15 Or whistle

Assyria

13 He will stretch out his hand against the north
    and destroy Assyria,(A)
leaving Nineveh(B) utterly desolate
    and dry as the desert.(C)
14 Flocks and herds(D) will lie down there,
    creatures of every kind.
The desert owl(E) and the screech owl(F)
    will roost on her columns.
Their hooting will echo through the windows,
    rubble will fill the doorways,
    the beams of cedar will be exposed.
15 This is the city of revelry(G)
    that lived in safety.(H)
She said to herself,
    “I am the one! And there is none besides me.”(I)
What a ruin she has become,
    a lair for wild beasts!(J)
All who pass by her scoff(K)
    and shake their fists.(L)

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