18 Woe, land of buzzing^[a] wings
    beyond the rivers of Cush,^(A)

² sending ambassadors by the Nile
    in vessels of papyrus on the waters!
Go, you swift messengers,
    to a nation tall and smooth,
to a people feared near and far,
    a nation mighty^[a] and conquering,
    whose land the rivers divide.^(A)

⁹ I will trouble the hearts of many peoples
    as I carry you captive^[a] among the nations,
    into countries you have not known.^(A)

¹⁰ I will make many peoples appalled at you;
    their kings shall shudder because of you.
When I brandish my sword before them,
    they shall tremble every moment
for their lives, each one of them,
    on the day of your downfall.^(A)