Nahum 2:3-10

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

³ The shields of his warriors are red;
    his soldiers are clothed in crimson.
The metal on the chariots flashes
    on the day when he musters them;
    the chargers^[a] prance.^(A)
4 The chariots race madly through the streets;
    they rush to and fro through the squares;
their appearance is like torches;
    they dart like lightning.^(B)
5 He calls his officers;
    they stumble as they come forward;
they hasten to the wall,
    and the screen^[b] is set up.
⁶ The river gates are opened;
    the palace trembles.
⁷ It is decreed^[c] that the city^[d] be exiled,
    its slave women led away,
moaning like doves
    and beating their breasts.^(C)
8 Nineveh is like a pool
    whose waters^[e] run away.
“Halt! Halt!”—
    but no one turns back.^(D)
9 “Plunder the silver;
    plunder the gold!
There is no end of treasure!
    An abundance of every precious thing!”

¹⁰ Devastation, desolation, and destruction!
    Hearts faint and knees tremble;
all loins quake;
    all faces grow pale!^(E)