The Lord is powerful, yet patient; he makes sure that the guilty are always punished. He can be seen in storms and in whirlwinds; clouds are the dust from his feet.

At the sight of the Lord, mountains and hills tremble and melt; the earth and its people shudder and shake.

Who can stand the heat of his furious anger? It flashes out like fire and shatters stones.

So don't plot against the Lord! He wipes out his enemies, and they never revive.

But the Lord says, “Assyria, no matter how strong you are, you will be cut down! My people Judah, I have troubled you before, but I won't do it again.

I'll snap your chains and set you free from the Assyrians.”

Assyria, this is what else the Lord says to you: “Your name will be forgotten. I will destroy every idol in your temple, and I will send you to the grave, because you are worthless.”

Nineveh Will Fall

Nineveh, someone is coming to attack and scatter you. Guard your fortresses! Watch the road! Be brave! Prepare for battle!

Nineveh, on this day of attack, your enemies' shields are red; their uniforms are crimson.

An officer gives a command. But his soldiers stumble, as they hasten to build a shelter to protect themselves against rocks thrown down from the city wall.

Nineveh is disgraced. The queen is dragged off. Her servant women mourn; they moan like doves, and they beat their breasts in sorrow.

Nineveh is like a pond with leaking water. Shouts of “Stop! Don't go!” can be heard everywhere. But everyone is leaving.

Enemy soldiers shout, “The city is full of treasure and all kinds of wealth. Steal her silver! Grab her gold!”

What happened to this city? They were safer there than powerful lions in a den, with no one to disturb them.

These are the same lions that ferociously attacked their victims, then dragged away the flesh to feed their young.

The Lord All-Powerful is against you, Nineveh. God will burn your chariots and send an army to kill those young lions of yours. You will never again make victims of others or send messengers to threaten everyone on this earth.

Punishment for Nineveh

The Lord said:

Doom to the crime capital! Nineveh, city of murder and treachery,

cavalry attacking, swords and spears flashing; soldiers stumbling over piles of dead bodies.

But I, the Lord All-Powerful, am now your enemy. I will pull up your skirt and let nations and kingdoms stare at your nakedness.

Everyone who sees you will turn away and shout, “Nineveh is done for! Is anyone willing to mourn or to give her comfort?”

Nineveh's Fate Is Sealed

Nineveh, do you feel safer than the city of Thebes? The Nile River was its wall of defense.

But she was captured and taken to a foreign country. Her children were murdered at every street corner. The members of her royal family were auctioned off, and her high officials were bound in chains.

Your fortresses are fig trees with ripe figs. Merely shake the trees, and fruit will fall into every open mouth.

Your army is weak. Fire has destroyed the crossbars on your city gates; now they stand wide open to your enemy.

Your city is under attack. Haul in extra water! Strengthen your defenses! Start making bricks! Stir the mortar!