1A message: Yahweh's word is against the land of Hadrach and will settle on Damascus, for the eyes of humanity and all the tribes of Israel are on Yahweh.
2This also applies to Hamath, which borders it, and to Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.
3Tyre built herself a fortress and piled up silver like dust and fine gold like mud in the streets.
4But look, the Lord will take away her possessions, and he will destroy her power in the sea; she will be consumed by fire.
5Ashkelon will see it and be afraid; Gaza will also writhe in agony, as will Ekron, because her hopes will be shattered. The king will be destroyed in Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.
6Foreigners will live in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
7I will remove the blood from their mouths and their detestable practices from between their teeth. Then even they will become a remnant for our God. They will be like a leader in Judah, and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.
8I will encamp around my house to protect it from armies, so that no one passes through or returns. No oppressor will pass through them anymore, for now I have seen it with my own eyes.
9Rejoice greatly, Daughter of Zion! Shout for joy, Daughter of Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you! He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a young donkey, a colt.
10I will remove the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem. The battle bow will be broken, and he will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will stretch from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
11As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I have set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.
12Return to your stronghold, you prisoners who still have hope! I promise you today that I will give you back twice as much.
13Indeed, I will bend Judah like a bow for myself. I will fill the bow with Ephraim. I will stir up your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, and make you like a mighty warrior's sword.
14Yahweh will appear above them, and his arrow will flash like lightning. The Lord Yahweh will blow the trumpet and advance with whirlwinds from the south.
15Yahweh of Armies will protect them. They will destroy and conquer with slingshots. They will drink and roar as if drunk, and they will be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar.
16On that day, Yahweh their God will save them as the flock of his people, for they are like the jewels of a crown, lifted high over his land.
17How great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! Grain will make the young men strong, and new wine will make the young women flourish.