The [mournful, inspired] oracle (a burden to be carried) concerning Damascus [capital of Aram (Syria), and Israel’s defense against Assyria].

“Listen carefully, Damascus will cease to be a city
And will become a fallen ruin.

“The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim,
And the kingdom from Damascus
And the remnant of Aram (Syria);
They will be like the [departed] glory of [her ally] the children of Israel,”
Declares the Lord of hosts.

And they have turned away the flowings, Weak and dried up have been brooks of the bulwark, Reed and flag have withered.

In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; salvation doth he appoint for walls and bulwarks.

And I encamped, O babbler, against thee, And I laid siege against thee -- a camp. And I raised up against thee bulwarks.

And as a dream, a vision of night, hath been The multitude of all the nations Who are warring against Ariel, And all its warriors, and its bulwark, Even of those distressing her.

The palaces also shall be broken, and the greatly occupied cities desolate. The towers and bulwarks shall be become dens forevermore, the pleasure of Mules shall be turned to pasture for sheep:

I -- I have dug and drunk waters, And I dry up with the sole of my steps All floods of a bulwark.