1 He who scatters has come up against your face; guard the fortress {metzurah: fortified stronghold}, watch the way, be strong in your loins {motnayim: seat of strength}, and make your power exceedingly great.
2 For the LORD {YHWH, Restorer of Glory} has restored the majesty of Jacob as the majesty of Israel, for devastators have devastated them and ruined their vine branches {zmoreihem: fruitful shoots}.
3 The shield of his mighty men is made red; the men of valor {anshei-chayil: warriors of strength} are clothed in scarlet. The chariots flash like fire on the day of his preparation, and the cypress spears {berosim: cypress spears} are made to quiver.
4 In the streets the chariots rush wildly; they jostle {yish-taq-she-kun: reciprocal bumping} one another in the open squares {barchovot: public plazas}. Their appearance is like torches, and they dart like lightning.
5 He will remember his nobles {adirav: Mighty Ones}; in their course they will stumble, hastening to its wall, and the covering {sokhekh: Defensive Shelter} is prepared.
6 The gates of the rivers were opened, and the palace {heikhal: royal stronghold} was dissolved {namog: lost integrity}.
7 And it is decreed: she is uncovered {gulleta: stripped}, she is brought up, and her maidservants proceed {menahagot: ceremonial procession}, like the voice of doves, beating upon their breasts.
8 And Nineveh{ninveh: ancient Assyrian capital} was like a pool of water from her days of old, yet they are fleeing{nasim: seeking escape}. “Stand! Stand!” they cry, but there is no one turning back.
9 Take as spoil the silver, take as spoil the gold; there is no end to the store {tekunah: Stored Supply}, and wealth from all desirable vessels {chemdah: Precious Objects}.
10 Emptiness {buqah: hollow void}, devastation, and ruin; the heart melts, the knees tremble, and trembling seizes all loins; all faces are struck with pallor {paarur: complete loss of color}.
11 Where is the dwelling of the lions and the pasture {mirʿeh: feeding ground} for their cubs, where the lion and the lioness walked, and where the lion’s cub {gur: young lion} was, with none causing fear?
12 The lion {ariyeh: powerful predator} tears enough for his cubs, and strangles for his lionesses; he fills his holes {horav: subterranean lairs} with prey and his dens with torn flesh.
13 Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot: Divine Warrior}, and I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword will devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers {malakheikha: official envoys} shall no longer be heard.