1 Y ahweh’s word that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before that Pharaoh struck Gaza.

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

2 Y ahweh says: Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall become an overflowing stream, and shall overflow the land and all that is therein, the city and those who dwell therein; and the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall wail.

Thus 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.

3 A t the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong ones, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers don’t look back to their children for feebleness of hands;

At 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

4 b ecause of the day that comes to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains: for Yahweh will destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the isle of Caphtor.

Because 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.

5 B aldness has come on Gaza; Ashkelon is brought to nothing, the remnant of their valley: how long will you cut yourself?

Baldness 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 ?

6 Y ou sword of Yahweh, how long will it be before you be quiet? Put up yourself into your scabbard; rest, and be still.

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

7 H ow can you be quiet, since Yahweh has given you a command? Against Ashkelon, and against the seashore, there has he appointed it.

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