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The Lord will restore the majesty of Jacob
    as well as that of Israel,[a]
even though the plunderers have ravaged them
    and destroyed their vines.
A destroying enemy is advancing against you;
    guard the ramparts.
Keep watch on the road,
    gird your loins,
and prepare to exert
    every last ounce of courage.

The Agony of Nineveh[b]

Devastation, Plunder, and Destruction[c]

The shields of his warriors are red with blood;
    their garments are scarlet in color.
The metal on the chariots flashes
    as he summons them for battle;
    the horses are frenzied in anticipation.

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Footnotes

  1. Nahum 2:2 Restore the majesty of Jacob as well as that of Israel: Assyria had destroyed the northern kingdom and its people (2 Ki 17:3-6) and attacked the southern kingdom. Now is the time for all Israel to be renewed and restored!
  2. Nahum 2:4 Described by types of fire, the chastisement is at the doors of Nineveh. In these oracles there is the explosion of joy for the world which is awakening from a nightmare after a century of Assyrian domination.
  3. Nahum 2:4 This tableau of extraordinary power reaches fine art: it describes a decisive assault against a powerful village.

The Lord will restore(A) the splendor(B) of Jacob
    like the splendor of Israel,
though destroyers have laid them waste
    and have ruined their vines.

The shields of the soldiers are red;
    the warriors are clad in scarlet.(C)
The metal on the chariots flashes
    on the day they are made ready;
    the spears of juniper are brandished.[a]
The chariots(D) storm through the streets,
    rushing back and forth through the squares.
They look like flaming torches;
    they dart about like lightning.

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Footnotes

  1. Nahum 2:3 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac ready; / the horsemen rush to and fro.