1He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face : keep the munition , watch the way , make thy loins strong , fortify thy power mightily . 2For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob , as the excellency of Israel : for the emptiers have emptied them out , and marred their vine branches . 3The shield of his mighty men is made red , the valiant men are in scarlet : the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation , and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken . 4The chariots shall rage in the streets , they shall justle one against another in the broad ways : they shall seem like torches , they shall run like the lightnings . 5He shall recount his worthies : they shall stumble in their walk ; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared .
The Fall of Nineveh
6The gates of the rivers shall be opened , and the palace shall be dissolved . 7And Huzzab shall be led away captive , she shall be brought up , and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves , tabering upon their breasts . 8But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water : yet they shall flee away . Stand , stand , shall they cry; but none shall look back . 9Take ye the spoil of silver , take the spoil of gold : for there is none end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture . 10She is empty , and void , and waste : and the heart melteth , and the knees smite together , and much pain is in all loins , and the faces of them all gather blackness .
The Call to Prepare for Battle
11Where is the dwelling of the lions , and the feedingplace of the young lions , where the lion , even the old lion , walked , and the lion’s whelp , and none made them afraid ? 12The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps , and strangled for his lionesses , and filled his holes with prey , and his dens with ravin . 13Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts , and I will burn her chariots in the smoke , and the sword shall devour thy young lions : and I will cut off thy prey from the earth , and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard .