Add parallel Print Page Options

Prophecy against Philistia

47 The Lord’s word to the prophet Jeremiah concerning the Philistines before Pharaoh conquered Gaza.

The Lord proclaims:
    Waters are rising from the north
        and turning into a raging flood.
They will engulf the land and everything in it,
    the towns and those living in them.
The people cry out;
    all who live there scream.
At the pounding of the stallions’ hooves,
    at the deafening roar of the chariots’ wheels,
        parents abandon children,
        so paralyzed are they with fear.
Because the time is coming
    for the Philistines’ destruction,
    for cutting off from Tyre and Sidon
        anyone who might try to save Gaza,[a]
    because the Lord will destroy the Philistines,
    the few left from the island of Caphtor.
Mourning[b] will come upon Gaza;
    silence will cover Ashkelon,
        the few left in their valley.
How long will you gash yourselves in grief?[c]
    You sword of the Lord,
    how long until you are silent?
Return to your sheath;
    rest and be still!
How can you be silent
    when the Lord has directed you[d]
        to attack Ashkelon and the coast line?

Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 47:4 Or a helper
  2. Jeremiah 47:5 Or baldness
  3. Jeremiah 47:5 Heb lacks in grief.
  4. Jeremiah 47:7 Or it

A Message About the Philistines

47 This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines(A) before Pharaoh attacked Gaza:(B)

This is what the Lord says:

“See how the waters are rising in the north;(C)
    they will become an overflowing torrent.
They will overflow the land and everything in it,
    the towns and those who live in them.
The people will cry out;
    all who dwell in the land will wail(D)
at the sound of the hooves of galloping steeds,
    at the noise of enemy chariots(E)
    and the rumble of their wheels.
Parents will not turn to help their children;
    their hands will hang limp.(F)
For the day has come
    to destroy all the Philistines
and to remove all survivors
    who could help Tyre(G) and Sidon.(H)
The Lord is about to destroy the Philistines,(I)
    the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.[a](J)
Gaza will shave(K) her head in mourning;
    Ashkelon(L) will be silenced.
You remnant on the plain,
    how long will you cut(M) yourselves?

“‘Alas, sword(N) of the Lord,
    how long till you rest?
Return to your sheath;
    cease and be still.’(O)
But how can it rest
    when the Lord has commanded it,
when he has ordered it
    to attack Ashkelon and the coast?”(P)

Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 47:4 That is, Crete