1 ¶ Gather yourselves together, yes, come together, O undesirable nation;

2 Before the judgement comes, before the time for repentance passes like chaff before the wind, before the fierce anger of the LORD comes upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger overtakes you.

3 Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, who seek to do as he says; seek righteousness, seek humility: then you may find shelter in the day of the LORD’S anger.

4 ¶ For Gaza will be deserted, and Ashkelon a ruin: the people of Ashdod will be driven out at noon day, and Ekron will be rooted up.

5 Woe to the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, land of the Philistines, I will destroy you, so that there will be no one living there.

6 And the sea coast will be pastureland with caves for shepherds, and folds for sheep.

7 And the coast will belong to those who remain of the house of Judah; there they will find pasture: they will lie down in the evening among the houses of Ashkelon: for the LORD their God will visit them, and bring them back from captivity.

8 ¶ I have heard the taunts of Moab, and the mocking words of the children of Ammon, whereby they have belittled my people, and bragged about their borders.

9 Therefore as I live, says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Moab will be like Sodom, and the children of Ammon like Gomorrah, a land possessed by weeds, and salt-pits, and a perpetual wasteland: those who are left of my people will take them, and the rest of my people will possess them.

10 This is what they will get for their pride, because they have reproached and mocked the people of the LORD of hosts.

11 The LORD will be a terror to them: because he will destroy all the gods of the earth; and everyone in every place, coast and nation will worship him.

12 ¶ You Ethiopians will also be slain by my sword.

13 And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a ruin, and dry like a desert.

14 And flocks will lie down in the middle of her, all the wild beasts of the nations: both the desert owl and the pelican will lodge on top of its pillars; their sound will be heard in the windows; thresholds will be torn up: for he will lay her cedar paneling bare.

15 This is the joyous city that lived securely, that said in her heart, I rule, and there is no other: how desolate she has become, a place for animals to lie down in! every one who passes by her will hiss, and shake his fist.