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\sectd\sect{\header \pard\qr\plain\f0\fs16 Nahum (Page \chpgn) \par}{\pard \pagebb
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{\pard\sb360\sa360\fs72 Nahum
 
\par}

{\pard\sl280\slmult1\fs24\fi720 
  {\cf1 1}A message about Nineveh, a vision which came to Nahum from Elkosh.
\par}

{\pard\sb360\sa360\fs36 God's wrath

\par}

{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 2}The {\scaps Lord} tolerates no rivals. 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
The {\scaps Lord} is vengeful and fierce in wrath.
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
The {\scaps Lord} does not fail to punish his foes; 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
the {\scaps Lord} is vengeful against his enemies. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 3}The {\scaps Lord} is slow to anger, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
great in power.
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
The guilty will not escape
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
his punishment. 
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
Storm tempest is his path
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
and cloud is the dust of his feet.
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 4}He rebukes the sea and dries it up
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
and makes all the streams run dry. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
Bashan and Carmel are languishing 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
and the bloom of Lebanon is withered.
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 5}The mountains tremble before him 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
and the hills dissolve.
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
The earth heaves before him, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
the world and all who live in it.
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 6}Who can stand before his wrath?
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
Who can withstand the heat of his anger?
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
His fierce fury pours forth like fire,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
he shatters rocks.
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 7}The {\scaps Lord} is good to those who hope in him, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
a place of refuge in the day of trouble.
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 8}With rushing flood an end he makes 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
of those who rise against him,
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
he drives his enemies into darkness. 
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 9}Why do you plot against the {\scaps Lord}?
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
He will end you.
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
He only takes vengeance once.
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 10}Thorns, tangled and drenched,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
they are consumed like dry stubble.
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 11}Nineveh! From you has arisen
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
one who plots evil against the {\scaps Lord},
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
a counsellor of wickedness.
\par}

{\pard\sb360\sa360\fs36 Good news for Judah

\par}

{\pard\sl280\slmult1\fs24\fi720 
 {\super\cf2\fs24 12}The {\scaps Lord} says:
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
\uc1\u8220*Though they are many and strong,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
they will pass away and be gone. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
Though I have afflicted you, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
I will afflict you no more, 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 13}and now I will break his yoke from your necks 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
and snap your chains.\uc1\u8221* 
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{\pard\sl280\slmult1\fs24\fi720 
 {\super\cf2\fs24 14}The {\scaps Lord} has given this command concerning you, Nineveh:
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
\uc1\u8220*Your name will no longer be remembered.
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
I will destroy every idol and image
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
in the house of your God .
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
I will destroy even your tomb,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
for you are worthless.\uc1\u8221*
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 15}Look! On the mountains a messenger
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
bringing good news,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
announcing peace! 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
\uc1\u8220*Celebrate the feasts, Judah, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
fulfill your vows. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
Never again will these enemies invade your land,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
they are destroyed!\uc1\u8221*
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{\pard\sb360\sa360\fs36 Destruction of the city 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
  {\cf1 2}Nineveh! The destroyer has come up against you; 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
{\super\cf2\fs24 1}mount guard upon the rampart; 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
watch the road; brace yourselves; 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
strengthen your might to the utmost. 
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 2}For the {\scaps Lord} is restoring the majesty of Jacob
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
and of Israel, 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
though the devastators have plundered them
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
and destroyed their vines.
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 3}The shields of his warriors are dyed red, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
his soldiers are clothed in scarlet, 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
his chariots gleam like fire 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
on the day he prepares for battle
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
spears are shaken. 
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 4}Chariots rush across the fields, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
storm through the squares; 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
they flame like torches, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
they dart like lightening. 
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 5}A leader rallies his nobles,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
they hurl themselves forward.
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
They speed on toward the wall; 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
the storming-shield is set up. 
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 6}The water-gates are thrown open, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
and the palace dissolves in ruins. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 7}The queen is stripped,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
she is carried off.
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
Her maids moan like doves,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
beating upon their breasts.
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 8}Like a pool of water is Nineveh, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
her waters fast ebbing away. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
\uc1\u8220*Stand firm! Stand firm!\uc1\u8221* someone cries, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
but no one turns back. 
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 9}\uc1\u8220*Loot the silver, loot the gold,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
for there is no end to the treasure,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
the wealth and precious things.\uc1\u8221*
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 10}Nineveh is empty, desolate, devastated, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
with faint heart and knocking knee. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
There is weakness in every limb, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
and faces grow pale. 
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 11}Where now is the den of lions? 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
Where now the lair of their young? 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
Where the lion used to withdraw, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
with his cubs, with none to disturb them? 
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 12}The lion tore enough for his cubs, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
and strangled prey for his lionesses. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
He filled his caves with the kill, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
he filled his lairs with fresh meat. 
\par}

{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 13}\uc1\u8220*But see, I am against you,\uc1\u8221*
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
the {\scaps Lord} of hosts declares, 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
\uc1\u8220*I will burn your chariots in smoke and fire. 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
The sword will devour your young lions. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
You will never again prey on the land.
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
No more will your messengers be heard.\uc1\u8221*
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{\pard\sb360\sa360\fs36 Ruin

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
  {\cf1 3}Woe to the bloody city! 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
{\super\cf2\fs24 1}Full of lies and plunder, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
without end is the spoil. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 2}Hear the crack of the whip, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
hear the rattle of wheels. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
Galloping horses, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
jolting chariots. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 3}Horsemen charging, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
swords flashing. 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
spears glittering, 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
a multitude of slain, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
a heap of bodies, 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
no end to the corpses 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
over which people stumble! 
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 4}\uc1\u8220*Because you acted like a whore,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
bewitching the nations,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
enticing the peoples,
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 5}I am against you, Nineveh\uc1\u8221*
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
the {\scaps Lord} of hosts declares. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
\uc1\u8220*I will strip your clothes
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
and show the nations your nakedness,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
and the kingdoms your shame. 
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 6}\uc1\u8220*I will fling loathsome filth at you, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
and make you an object of contempt,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
a spectacle, 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 7}so that everyone who sees you 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
will flee from you and say: 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
\uc1\u8216*Nineveh is laid waste,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
who will mourn for her?\uc1\u8217*
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 8}\uc1\u8220*Are you any better than Thebes, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
which stood on the banks of the Nile, 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
with waters around as a rampart, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
whose wall was the sea of waters? 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 9}Her strength was Ethiopia and Egypt. 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
The Libyans were her helpers, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
and Put with its countless people. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 10}Yet she was exiled 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
and made captive. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
On all corners of the streets 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
her infants were dashed to pieces. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
Lots were cast for her nobles, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
all her great ones were bound in chains. 
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 11}\uc1\u8220*You too, Nineveh, will be drunk with fear; 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
you too will seek a place of escape from the foe. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 12}All your fortresses are fig-trees with the first ripe figs; 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
if shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater! 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 13}Your troops are weak as women before your foes; 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
the gates of your land are wide open; 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
your defenses burned down. 
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 14}\uc1\u8220*Draw water for the siege, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
strengthen your forts. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
Go to the clay pits and tread the clay; 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
take up the brick moulds.
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 15}There the fire will consume you, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
the sword will cut you down. 
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
Multiply like the locust
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
or a swarm of grasshoppers.
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 16}Increase the numbers of your merchants
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
until they are more than the stars of heaven,
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 17}until your watchmen are locusts,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
and your scribes like grasshoppers,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
which swarm in the hedges on a cold day;
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
but when the sun rises
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
they fly away,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
no one knows where.
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{\pard 

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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 18}\uc1\u8220*King of Assyria:
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
your princes slumber, 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
your nobles sleep! 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
Your people are scattered on the mountains 
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
with no one to gather them! 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
 {\super\cf2\fs24 19}There is no healing for your hurt,
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{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
your wound is incurable. 
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{\pard\fi-2440\li2800
All who hear of your fate clap their hands in joy,
\par}

{\pard\fi-2080\li2800
for who has escaped your limitless cruelty?\uc1\u8221*
\par}

}