1 2 3
2 <1> An enemy is coming to attack you,
so guard the strong places of your city.
Watch the road.
Get ready for war.
Prepare for battle!
<2> Yes, the Lord changed Jacob's[5] pride.
He made it like Israel's pride.
The enemy destroyed them
and ruined their grapevines.
<3> The shields of his soldiers are red.
Their uniforms are bright red.
Their chariots[6] are shining like flames of fire
and are lined up for battle.
Their horses are ready to go.
<4> The chariots race wildly through the streets
and rush back and forth through the square.
They look like burning torches,
like lightning flashing from place to place!
<5> The enemy calls for his best soldiers.
They stumble as they rush ahead.
They run to the wall
and set up their shield over the battering ram.
<6> But the gates by the rivers are open,
and the enemy comes flooding in and destroys the king's palace.
<7> The enemy takes away the queen,
and her slave girls moan sadly like doves.
They beat their breasts to show their sadness.
<8> Nineveh is like a pool whose water
is draining away.
People yell, "Stop! Stop running away!"
But it does not do any good.
<9> Take the silver!
Take the gold!
There are many things to take.
There are many treasures.
<10> Now Nineveh is empty
Everything is stolen.
The city is ruined.
People have lost their courage,
their hearts are melting with fear,
their knees are knocking together,
their bodies are shaking,
and their faces are pale from fear.
<11> Where is the lion's cave (Nineveh) now?
The male and female lions lived there.
Their babies were not afraid.
<12> The lion (king of Nineveh) killed people
to feed his cubs and lionesses.
He filled his cave
with men's bodies.
He filled his cave
with women he had killed.
<13> The Lord All-Powerful says,
"I am against you, Nineveh.
I will burn your chariots
and kill your 'young lions' in battle.
You will not hunt anyone on earth again.
People will never again hear bad news from your messengers."
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.