Aa
Attack against Nineveh
1One who scatters is coming up against you.2:1 Ezk 29:12–13; 30:23,26
Man the fortifications!
Watch the road!
Brace2:1 Lit Strengthen yourself!
Summon all your strength!2:1 Pr 24:5; Am 2:14

2For the Lord will restore the majesty of Jacob,2:2 Ps 47:4; Am 6:8; 8:7
yes,2:2 Or like the majesty of Israel,
though ravagers have ravaged them2:2 Is 24:1,3
and ruined their vine branches.2:2 Ps 80:12–15; Jr 12:10

3The shields of his2:3 = the army commander attacking Nineveh warriors are dyed red;
the valiant men are dressed in scarlet.2:3 Ezk 23:14
The fittings of the chariot flash like fire2:3 2Kg 2:11; 6:17; Is 66:15
on the day of its battle preparations,
and the spears are brandished.
4The chariots dash madly through the streets;
they rush around in the plazas.
They look like torches;
they dart back and forth like lightning.
5He gives orders to his officers;
they stumble as they advance.
They race to its wall;
the protective shield is set in place.
6The river gates are opened,
and the palace erodes away.2:6 Nah 1:8

7Beauty2:7 Text emended; MT reads Huzzab is stripped;2:7 Hb obscure
she is carried away;
her ladies-in-waiting moan
like the sound of doves2:7 Is 38:14; 59:11
and beat their breasts.2:7 Is 32:12
8Nineveh has been like a pool of water
from her first days,2:8 Hb obscure
but they are fleeing.
“Stop! Stop!” they cry,
but no one turns back.
9“Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold!” 2:9 Ezk 38:13
There is no end to the treasure,
an abundance of every precious thing.2:9 2Ch 32:27; 36:10; Dn 11:8; Nah 3:3
10Desolation, decimation, devastation!
Hearts melt,2:10 Dt 20:8; Jos 7:5; Is 13:7; 19:1; Ezk 21:7,15
knees tremble,2:10 Is 35:3
insides churn,2:10 Ps 69:23
every face grows pale!2:10 Is 21:3; Jl 2:6

11Where is the lions’ lair,2:11 Is 2:15; 5:26–29; Jr 4:7; 5:6; 50:17; 51:38; Jl 1:6; Am 3:12
or the feeding ground of the young lions,
where the lion and lioness prowled,
and the lion’s cub,
with nothing to frighten them away?2:11 Lv 26:6; Dt 28:26; Jr 7:33
12The lion mauled whatever its cubs needed
and strangled prey for its lionesses.
It filled up its dens with the kill,
and its lairs with mauled prey.2:12 Jb 38:39–40
13Beware, I am against you.2:13 Jr 21:13; 23:30–32; 50:31; 51:25; Ezk 5:8; 13:8; 21:3; 26:3; 28:22; 29:3,10; 38:3; 39:1; Nah 3:5
This is the declaration of the Lord of Armies.
I will make your chariots go up in smoke,2:13 Lit will burn her chariots in smoke
and the sword will devour your young lions.2:13 Is 31:8; Jr 46:10
I will cut off your prey from the earth,
and the sound of your messengers
will never be heard again.2:13 Rv 18:22–23