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.
¹⁶ Their quivers^(C) are like an open grave;
    all of them are mighty warriors.
¹⁷ They will devour^(D) your harvests and food,
    devour^(E) your sons and daughters;
they will devour^(F) your flocks and herds,
    devour your vines and fig trees.^(G)
With the sword^(H) they will destroy
    the fortified cities^(I) in which you trust.^(J)

“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)
23 They are armed with bow and spear;
    they are cruel and show no mercy.^(C)
They sound like the roaring sea^(D)
    as they ride on their horses;^(E)
they come like men in battle formation
    to attack you, Daughter Zion.^(F)”

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.