Nahum 3:12-14
Christian Standard Bible
12 All your fortresses are fig trees
with figs that ripened first;
when shaken, they fall—
right into the mouth of the eater!
13 Look, your troops are like women among you;
your land’s city gates
are wide open to your enemies.
Fire will devour the bars of your gates.
14 Draw water for the siege;
strengthen your fortresses.
Step into the clay and tread the mortar;
take hold of the brick-mold!
Nahum 3:12-14
International Standard Version
12 All your defenses are like fig trees with ripe early fruit—
when shaken, it falls right into the devourer’s mouth.
13 Look at your people—[a]
they are women!
Your borders stand wide open to your enemies,
while fire consumes the bars of your gates.”
The Futility of Avoiding God’s Judgment
14 “Draw water, because a siege is coming![b]
Strengthen your fortresses!
Make the clay good and strong!
Mix the mortar!
Go get your brick molds![c]
Footnotes
- Nahum 3:13 I.e. Nineveh’s army
- Nahum 3:14 The Heb. lacks coming
- Nahum 3:14 I.e. this verse appears to be affirming the uselessness of constructing a defense against God’s coming judgment.
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