1. Nineveh, you are under attack!The power that will shatter you has come.Prepare the defences!Guard the road!Prepare for battle!
2. (The Lord is about to restore the glory of Israel, as it was before her enemies plundered her.)
3. The enemy soldiers carry red shieldsand wear uniforms of red.They are preparing to attack!Their chariots flash like fire!Their horses prance!
4. Chariots dash wildly through the streets,rushing to and fro through the city squares.They flash like torchesand dart about like lightning.
5. The officers are summoned;they stumble as they press forward.The attackers rush to the walland set up the shield for the battering ram.
6. The gates by the river burst open;the palace is filled with terror.
7. The queen is taken captive;her servants moan like dovesand beat their breasts in sorrow.
8. Like water from a broken damthe people rush from Nineveh!“Stop! Stop!” the cry rings out —but no one turns back.
9. Plunder the silver!Plunder the gold!The city is full of treasure!