Nahum 3:1-19 CEV

[1] The LORD said: Doom to the crime capital! Nineveh, city of murder and treachery, [2] here is your fate- cracking whips, churning wheels; galloping horses, roaring chariots; [3] cavalry attacking, swords and spears flashing; soldiers stumbling over piles of dead bodies. [4] You were nothing more than a prostitute using your magical charms and witchcraft to attract and trap nations. [5] But I, the LORD All-Powerful, am now your enemy. I will pull up your skirt and let nations and kingdoms stare at your nakedness. [6] I will cover you with garbage, treat you like trash, and rub you in the dirt. [7] Everyone who sees you will turn away and shout, "Nineveh is done for! Is anyone willing to mourn or to give her comfort?" [8] Nineveh, do you feel safer than the city of Thebes? The Nile River was its wall of defense. [9] Thebes trusted the mighty power of Ethiopia and Egypt; the nations of Put and Libya were her allies. [10] But she was captured and taken to a foreign country. Her children were murdered at every street corner. The members of her royal family were auctioned off, and her high officials were bound in chains. [11] Nineveh, now it's your turn! You will get drunk and try to hide from your enemy. [12] Your fortresses are fig trees with ripe figs. Merely shake the trees, and fruit will fall into every open mouth. [13] Your army is weak. Fire has destroyed the crossbars on your city gates; now they stand wide open to your enemy. [14] Your city is under attack. Haul in extra water! Strengthen your defenses! Start making bricks! Stir the mortar! [15] You will still go up in flames and be cut down by swords that will wipe you out like wheat attacked by grasshoppers. So, go ahead and increase like a swarm of locusts! [16] More merchants are in your city than there are stars in the sky- but they are like locusts that eat everything, then fly away. [17] Your guards and your officials are swarms of locusts. On a chilly day they settle on a fence, but when the sun comes out, they take off to who-knows-where. [18] King of Assyria, your officials and leaders sleep the eternal sleep, while your people are scattered in the mountains. Yes, your people are sheep without a shepherd. [19] You're fatally wounded. There's no hope for you. But everyone claps when they hear this news, because your constant cruelty has caused them pain.