The Overthrow of Nineveh
1He that dasheth in piecesis come upbefore thy face:keepthe munition,watchthe way,make [thy] loinsstrong,fortify[thy] powermightily.
2For the LORDhath turned awaythe excellencyof Jacob,as the excellencyof Israel:for the emptiershave emptied them out,and marredtheir vine branches.
3The shieldof his mighty menis made red,the valiantmen[are] in scarlet:the chariots[shall be] with flamingtorchesin the dayof his preparation,and the fir treesshall be terribly shaken.
4The chariotsshall ragein the streets,they shall justle one against anotherin the broad ways:they shall seemlike torches,they shall runlike the lightnings.
5He shall recounthis worthies:they shall stumblein their walk;they shall make hasteto the wallthereof, and the defenceshall be prepared.
6The gatesof the riversshall be opened,and the palaceshall be dissolved.
7And Huzzabshall be led away captive,she shall be brought up,and her maidsshall lead[her] as with the voiceof doves,taberingupon their breasts.
8But Nineveh[is] of oldlike a poolof water:yet they shall flee away.Stand,stand,[shall they cry]; but none shall look back.
9Take ye the spoilof silver,take the spoilof gold:for [there is] none endof the store[and] gloryout of all the pleasantfurniture.
10She is empty,and void,and waste:and the heartmelteth,and the kneessmite together,and much pain[is] in all loins,and the facesof them all gatherblackness.
11Where [is] the dwellingof the lions,and the feedingplaceof the young lions,where the lion,[even] the old lion,walked,[and] the lion'swhelp,and none made [them] afraid?
12The liondid tear in piecesenoughfor his whelps,and strangledfor his lionesses,and filledhis holeswith prey,and his denswith ravin.
13Behold, I [am] against thee, saiththe LORDof hosts,and I will burnher chariotsin the smoke,and the swordshall devourthy young lions:and I will cut offthy preyfrom the earth,and the voiceof thy messengersshall no more be heard.
