Nahum 2
1 Hærgeren drager imod dig, hold Vagt med Omhu, hold Udkig, omgjord din Lænd, saml al din Kraft!
Nineveh! The destroyer has come up against you; mount guard upon the rampart; watch the road; brace yourselves; strengthen your might to the utmost.
2 Thi HERREN genrejser Jakobs og Israels Højhed; dem har jo Hærværksmænd hærget og ødt deres Ranker.
For the Lord is restoring the majesty of Jacob and of Israel, though the devastators have plundered them and destroyed their vines.
3 Hans Heltes Skjolde er røde, hans Stridsmænd skarlagenklædt, hans Vogne funkler af Staal, den Dag han ruster og Spydene svinges.
The shields of his warriors are dyed red, his soldiers are clothed in scarlet, his chariots gleam like fire on the day he prepares for battle spears are shaken.
4 Igennem Gaderne raser Vognene frem, hen over Torvene farer de i susende Fart; de ser ud som Fakler, farer frem og tilbage som Lyn.
Chariots rush across the fields, storm through the squares; they flame like torches, they dart like lightening.
5 Hans Helte kaldes frem, de snubler i Farten, de styrter frem imod Muren, Skjoldtaget er rejst.
A leader rallies his nobles, they hurl themselves forward. They speed on toward the wall; the storming-shield is set up.
6 Flodportene bliver aabnet, Kongsgaarden vakler.
The water-gates are thrown open, and the palace dissolves in ruins.
7 Herskerinden føres bort i Landflygtighed med sine Terner; de sukker som kurrende Duer, slaar sig for Brystet.
The queen is stripped, she is carried off. Her maids moan like doves, beating upon their breasts.
8 Nineve er som en Dam, hvis Vand flyder bort. »Stands dog, stands dog!« raabes der, men ingen vender om.
Like a pool of water is Nineveh, her waters fast ebbing away. “Stand firm! Stand firm!” someone cries, but no one turns back.
9 Ran Sølv, ran Guld! Der er Liggendefæ uden Ende, alskens kostbare Ting i store Maader.
“Loot the silver, loot the gold, for there is no end to the treasure, the wealth and precious things.”
10 Tomt og tømt og udtømt, ængstede Hjerter, rystende Knæ og Skælven i alle Lænder! Og alle Ansigter blegner.
Nineveh is empty, desolate, devastated, with faint heart and knocking knee. There is weakness in every limb, and faces grow pale.
11 Hvor er nu Løvernes Bo, Ungløvernes Hule, hvor Løven trak sig tilbage, hvor Ungløven ej kunde skræmmes?
Where now is the den of lions? Where now the lair of their young? Where the lion used to withdraw, with his cubs, with none to disturb them?
12 Den røved til Ungernes Tarv og myrded til Løvinderne, fyldte sine Hier med Bytte, sit Bo med Rov.
The lion tore enough for his cubs, and strangled prey for his lionesses. He filled his caves with the kill, he filled his lairs with fresh meat.
13 Se, jeg kommer over dig, lyder det fra Hærskarers HERRE, dit Lejrsted lader jeg gaa op i Røg. Dine Ungløver skal Sværdet fortære; jeg rydder din Røverfærd bort fra Jorden. Dine Sendebuds Røst skal aldrig høres mer.
“But see, I am against you,” the Lord of hosts declares, “I will burn your chariots in smoke and fire. The sword will devour your young lions. You will never again prey on the land. No more will your messengers be heard.”
