²⁹ Do not rejoice, all you Philistines,^(A)
    that the rod that struck you is broken;
from the root of that snake will spring up a viper,^(B)
    its fruit will be a darting, venomous serpent.^(C)
30 The poorest of the poor will find pasture,
    and the needy^(D) will lie down in safety.^(E)
But your root I will destroy by famine;^(F)
    it will slay^(G) your survivors.^(H)

³¹ Wail,^(I) you gate!^(J) Howl, you city!
    Melt away, all you Philistines!^(K)
A cloud of smoke comes from the north,^(L)
    and there is not a straggler in its ranks.^(M)

“For three sins of Gaza,^(A)
    even for four, I will not relent.^(B)
Because she took captive whole communities
    and sold them to Edom,^(C)
7 I will send fire on the walls of Gaza
    that will consume her fortresses.
⁸ I will destroy the king^[a] of Ashdod^(D)
    and the one who holds the scepter in Ashkelon.
I will turn my hand^(E) against Ekron,
    till the last of the Philistines^(F) are dead,”^(G)
says the Sovereign Lord.^(H)