²⁶ He lifts up a banner^(A) for the distant nations,
    he whistles^(B) for those at the ends of the earth.^(C)
Here they come,
    swiftly and speedily!
²⁷ Not one of them grows tired^(D) or stumbles,
    not one slumbers or sleeps;
not a belt^(E) is loosened at the waist,^(F)
    not a sandal strap is broken.^(G)
28 Their arrows are sharp,^(H)
    all their bows^(I) are strung;
their horses’ hooves^(J) seem like flint,
    their chariot wheels like a whirlwind.^(K)
29 Their roar is like that of the lion,^(L)
    they roar like young lions;
they growl as they seize^(M) their prey
    and carry it off with no one to rescue.^(N)
30 In that day^(O) they will roar over it
    like the roaring of the sea.^(P)
And if one looks at the land,
    there is only darkness^(Q) and distress;^(R)
    even the sun will be darkened^(S) by clouds.

²⁶ He lifts up a banner^(A) for the distant nations,
    he whistles^(B) for those at the ends of the earth.^(C)
Here they come,
    swiftly and speedily!

¹⁶ “Tell this to the nations,
    proclaim concerning Jerusalem:
‘A besieging army is coming from a distant land,^(A)
    raising a war cry^(B) against the cities of Judah.^(C)

¹⁵ People of Israel,” declares the Lord,
    “I am bringing a distant nation^(A) against you—
an ancient and enduring nation,
    a people whose language^(B) you do not know,
    whose speech you do not understand.

“Look, an army is coming
    from the land of the north;^(A)
a great nation is being stirred up
    from the ends of the earth.^(B)

“Look! Disaster^(A) is spreading
    from nation to nation;^(B)
a mighty storm^(C) is rising
    from the ends of the earth.”^(D)

⁸ See, I will bring them from the land of the north^(A)
    and gather^(B) them from the ends of the earth.
Among them will be the blind^(C) and the lame,^(D)
    expectant mothers and women in labor;
    a great throng will return.