His indignation--who can stand before it? Who can endure {his fierce anger}? His wrath is poured out like fire; rocks are shattered before him.

For like entangled thorns, and like their drink which is drunk, they will be consumed like fully dry chaff.

For Yahweh will restore the majesty of Jacob like the majesty of Israel; for ravagers have ravaged them and ruined [their] branches.

The shields of his warriors [are] dyed red; The powerful men [are] dressed in scarlet. The metal of the chariots [shines] like fire {on the day of battle}, and [their] spears quiver.

The chariots race madly through the streets; they rush back and forth in the public squares. Their appearance like lightning bolts, they dart about like flashes of lightning.

{Her goddess is taken out and taken into exile}; her maidservants moan like doves; they beat on their breasts.

Nineveh [is] like a pool of water without its water. {As they flee}, [she cries,] "Stop! Stop!" But there is no one who turns back.

You also will behave like a drunkard; You also will hide yourself; You also will seek refuge from [the] enemy.

All of your fortifications [are like] fig trees with [ripe] firstfruits-- if they are shaken, they will fall into the mouth of the eater.

Look! Your troops [are like] women in your midst. The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies; fire will consume the bars [of your gates].

There fire will consume you; the sword will cut you off. It will consume you like the locust.

You have increased your merchants more than the stars of heaven; [like] the locust they will shed [their skin] and fly away.

Your officials [are] like locusts; your commanders [are] like a swarm of locusts. They encamp on the walls on a cold day; when the sun rises, they fly away-- no one knows where they have gone.