Nineveh to Fall 1An attacker advances against you, Nineveh.
Guard the fortress, watch the road, brace yourselves, marshal
all your strength! 2The Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob
like the splendor of Israel, though destroyers have laid them
waste and have ruined their vines. 3The shields of the soldiers
are red; the warriors are clad in scarlet. The metal on the
chariots flashes on the day they are made ready; the spears of
juniper are brandished.#2:3Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac ready;
/ the horsemen rush to and fro. 4The chariots storm through the
streets, rushing back and forth through the squares. They look
like flaming torches; they dart about like lightning. 5Nineveh
summons her picked troops, yet they stumble on their way. They
dash to the city wall; the protective shield is put in place.
6The river gates are thrown open and the palace collapses. 7It
is decreed#2:7The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is
uncertain. that Nineveh be exiled and carried away. Her female
slaves moan like doves and