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13 And he will stretch out his hand against the north,
    and destroy Assyria;
and he will make Nin′eveh a desolation,
    a dry waste like the desert.
14 Herds shall lie down in the midst of her,
    all the beasts of the field;[a]
the vulture[b] and the hedgehog
    shall lodge in her capitals;
the owl[c] shall hoot in the window,
    the raven[d] croak on the threshold;
    for her cedar work will be laid bare.
15 This is the exultant city
    that dwelt secure,
that said to herself,
    “I am and there is none else.”
What a desolation she has become,
    a lair for wild beasts!
Every one who passes by her
    hisses and shakes his fist.

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Footnotes

  1. Zephaniah 2:14 Tg Compare Gk: Heb nation
  2. Zephaniah 2:14 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain
  3. Zephaniah 2:14 Cn: Heb a voice
  4. Zephaniah 2:14 Gk Vg: Heb desolation

Assyria

13 He will stretch out his hand against the north
    and destroy Assyria,(A)
leaving Nineveh(B) utterly desolate
    and dry as the desert.(C)
14 Flocks and herds(D) will lie down there,
    creatures of every kind.
The desert owl(E) and the screech owl(F)
    will roost on her columns.
Their hooting will echo through the windows,
    rubble will fill the doorways,
    the beams of cedar will be exposed.
15 This is the city of revelry(G)
    that lived in safety.(H)
She said to herself,
    “I am the one! And there is none besides me.”(I)
What a ruin she has become,
    a lair for wild beasts!(J)
All who pass by her scoff(K)
    and shake their fists.(L)

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