Look, on the mountains, the feet of a messenger, proclaiming peace, celebrating Yehudah, celebrating your festivals, fulfilling your vows. For no longer will the worthless one pass through you; he is completely cut off.

A destroyer has come up against you; guard the fortress, watch the road, strengthen your loins, fortify your strength greatly.

For יהוה is restoring the pride of Ya'aqov, like the pride of Yisra'el, because destroyers have destroyed them and ruined their vines.

The shield of its warriors is red, the soldiers are mighty men. Their chariots are like fiery torches, like lightning in the day of their preparation, and the cypresses are shaken.

They will rage in the streets, the chariots will clatter in the squares. Their appearance is like torches, they run like lightning.

He will remember its nobles; they will stumble in their march. They will hasten to its wall, and the defense will be prepared.

The gates of the rivers are opened, and the palace is dissolved.

And the decree of exile is established, and its female servants are leading, mourning like doves, beating on their hearts.

And Nineveh is like a pool of water from its waters; they are fleeing. 'Stand, stand!' but no one turns back.

Plunder silver, plunder gold, and there is no end to the treasure, to all the precious vessels.

Emptiness, and devastation, and ruin, and hearts melting, and knees knocking, and trembling in all loins, and the faces of all of them have gathered shame.

Where is the den of the lions, and the feeding place for the young lions, where the lion, the lioness, and the lion's cub walked, and no one made them afraid?

The lion tore enough for its cubs, and strangled for its lionesses. It filled its dens with prey, and its lairs with torn flesh.

Look, I am against you, declares יהוה of hosts. I will burn its chariots in smoke, and the sword will devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the land, and the voice of your messengers will no longer be heard.