Nahum 2

(1) Assyria will Fall; Israel will Rise

The club [weapon] has come up against you, Nineveh [capital of Assyria]. Guard your city wall and keep an eye on the roads below. Strengthen your back, and muster up all your might. The Existing One will restore Jacob’s excellence like Israel’s splendor even though they’ve been devastated and their vine branches have been destroyed.

(3) Nineveh will Fall

There are red shields held by warriors dressed in red. There are chariots clothed in fire and steel being prepared for battle. There are wooden spears being flashed around. There are chariots bragging in the streets, zooming around the plazas, looking like torches that dart around like lightning. People are remembering their officers. Troops are stumbling as they march, rushing to Nineveh’s wall with the siege gear in place. The river gates open up, and the palace melts away. It has been decided: Nineveh has been stripped and carried off. As her maids grieve, they sound like pigeons and beat on their chests. 

(8) Nineveh will be Abandoned

Even though Nineveh was like a refreshing pool of water throughout her lifespan, now people are running away from her. People shout, “Stop! Stop!” but no one even looks back. Plunder her silver and gold! There’s no end to the treasure—there’s wealth to be had from all kinds of valuables. She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and devastated.

People’s hearts are wasting away and knees are knocking. Pain surges through their whole bodies as their faces turn red.

Where’s the lion’s lair, where young lions can eat? Where’s the place where lions bring their cubs to be alone? The lion brought enough food for his lioness and cubs, filling his lair with the meat of his prey. 

(13) God Threatens Nineveh

The Existing One says,

“See, Nineveh? I’m against you. I’ll burn your chariots up in smoke, and swords will kill your young lions. I’ll take the livestock you eat and cut them off from the land. The voices of your messengers will go silent.”