1 ¶ The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Palestinians, before Pharaoh smote Gaza.

That which came as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh conquered Gaza.

2 T hus hath the LORD said: Behold, waters rise up out of the north and shall be an overflowing flood and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the cities and those that dwell therein; then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.

Thus says the Lord: “Behold, waters are going to rise from the north And become an overflowing torrent, And overflow the land and all its fullness, The city and those who live in it; And the men will cry out, And every inhabitant of the land will wail.

3 A t the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;

“Because of the noise of the galloping hoofs of his stallions, The tumult of his chariots, and the rumbling of his wheels, The fathers have not turned back for their children, Because of the limpness of their hands,

4 b ecause of the day that comes to destroy all the Palestinians, and to cut off from Tyre and Zidon every helper that remains: for the LORD will destroy the Palestinians, the remnant of the island of Caphtor.

On account of the day that is coming To destroy all the Philistines, To cut off from Tyre and Sidon Every ally that is left; For the Lord is going to destroy the Philistines, The remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.

5 B aldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?

“ Baldness has come upon Gaza; Ashkelon has been ruined. O remnant of their valley, How long will you gash yourself?

6 O thou sword of the LORD, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.

“Ah, sword of the Lord, How long will you not be quiet? Withdraw into your sheath; Be at rest and stay still.

7 H ow can it be quiet, seeing the LORD has given it a charge against Ashkelon and against the sea shore? there has he appointed it.

“How can it be quiet, When the Lord has given it an order? Against Ashkelon and against the seacoast— There He has assigned it.”