1 T he word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines before Pharaoh smote Gaza.

This is the Word of the Lord which came to Jeremiah the man of God about the Philistines, before Pharaoh won the war against Gaza.

2 T hus says the Lord: Behold, waters are rising out of the north and shall become an overflowing stream and shall overflow the land and all that is in it, the city and those who dwell in it. Then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall wail.

The Lord says, “Waters are going to rise from the north and become a flood. They will flow over the land and everything in it, the cities and all who live in them. The men will cry out. Every person living in the land will cry in a loud voice.

3 A t the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of war-horses, at the rattling of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers do not look back to their children, so feeble are their hands

Because of the noise of the feet of horses running, the noise of war-wagons and the sound of wheels, fathers have not turned back for their children. Their hands have become too weak,

4 B ecause of the day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines and to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains. For the Lord is destroying the Philistines, the remnant of the isle or coastland of Caphtor.

because of the day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines. And all those who helped Tyre and Sidon will be destroyed. For the Lord is going to destroy the Philistines, those who are left of the land of Caphtor by the sea.

5 B aldness will come upon Gaza; Ashkelon will be cut off and be dumb. O remnant of their valley and of the giants, how long will you gash yourselves ?

All the hair is gone from the head of Gaza. Ashkelon has been destroyed. O you who are left of their valley, how long will you cut yourselves?

6 O you sword of the Lord, how long will it be before you are quiet? Put yourself into your scabbard; rest and be still.

O, sword of the Lord, how long will it be before you are quiet? Return to your holder. Be at rest and do not move.

7 H ow can it be quiet when the Lord has given it an assignment to discharge? Against Ashkelon and against the seashore He has appointed it.

How can it be quiet, when the Lord has given it work to do? He has sent it against Ashkelon and against the land by the sea.”