³ 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.
⁴ The chariots dash madly through the streets;
they rush around in the plazas.
They look like torches;
they dart back and forth like lightning.
⁵ He gives orders to his officers;
they stumble as they advance.
They race to its wall;
the protective shield is set in place.
⁶ The river gates are opened,
and the palace erodes away.^(C)

⁷ 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)
8 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.
⁹ “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)