1Gather yourselves together; yes, gather together, you shameful nation (Judah), 2Before the decree takes effect, and that day passes like the windblown chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD comes upon you, before the day of the LORD's fierce anger comes upon you, 3Seek the LORD, all you meek and humble of the earth, who have kept His ordinance; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you may be sheltered in the day of the LORD's anger.

4For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon left in ruins. At midday, they shall abandon Ashdod; and Ekron shall be uprooted. 5Woe to you who live by the seacoast, you Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, land of the Philistines: “I will annihilate you, leaving you be no inhabitants.” 6And the seacoast shall become a wilderness pasture and pens for shepherds and their flocks. 7That land shall belong to the remnant of the people of Judah; they shall find pasture there; they shall lie down in the evening in the houses of Ashkelon; for the LORD, their God, shall visit them, and restore their prosperity.

8“I have heard the insults of Moab, and the taunts of the Ammonites, by which they have offended My people, and made threats against their land. 9Therefore, as surely as I live”, says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, “Surely Moab shall become like Sodom, and the Ammonites like Gomorrah, - a place of nettles (obnoxious weeds), and salt pits, and a perpetual wasteland; the remnant of My people shall plunder and possess them.” 10This is what they shall get for their arrogance, because they have mocked and gloated over the people of the LORD Almighty. 11The LORD will put them in awe; for He will destroy all the false gods of the earth. Distant nations shall bow down and worship Him, everyone from their own land.

12“You Ethiopians (Cushites) also, you shall be slain by My sword.” 13And He will stretch out His hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will leave Nineveh utterly desolated, and dry as a desert. 14And flocks and herds shall pasture in her midst – creatures of all kinds - both the cormorant and the porcupine shall lodge in the upper lintels (joists); the desert owl and screech owls shall roost in her columns; their hooting shall be heard through the windows; for He shall expose the fine cedar work to the weather. 15This is the city of revelry that dwelt securely, that said in her heart, “I am the one! There is none like me.” How she has become a desolation, a lair for wild beasts! Every one that passes by her shall hiss, and wag his head.