Nahum 3:8-12

Other Translations of Nahum 3:8-12

New International Version

⁸ Are you better than Thebes, situated on the Nile, with water around her? The river was her defense, the waters her wall. ⁹ CushThat is, the upper Nile region and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were among her allies. ¹⁰ Yet she was taken captive and went into exile. Her infants were dashed to pieces at every street corner. Lots were cast for her nobles, and all her great men were put in chains. ¹¹ You too will become drunk; you will go into hiding and seek refuge from the enemy. ¹² All your fortresses are like fig trees with their first ripe fruit; when they are shaken, the figs fall into the mouth of the eater.

English Standard Version

⁸ Are you better than ThebesHebrew No-amon that sat by the Nile, with water around her, her rampart a sea, and water her wall? ⁹ Cush was her strength; Egypt too, and that without limit; Put and the Libyans were herHebrew your helpers. ¹⁰ Yet she became an exile; she went into captivity; her infants were dashed in pieces at the head of every street; for her honored men lots were cast, and all her great men were bound in chains. ¹¹ You also will be drunken; you will go into hiding; you will seek a refuge from the enemy. ¹² All your fortresses are like fig trees with first-ripe figs-- if shaken they fall into the mouth of the eater.

The Message

⁸ Do you think you're superior to Egyptian Thebes, proudly invincible on the River Nile, Protected by the great River, walled in by the River, secure? ⁹ Ethiopia stood guard to the south, Egypt to the north. Put and Libya, strong friends, were ready to step in and help. ¹⁰ But you know what happened to her: The whole city was marched off to a refugee camp, Her babies smashed to death in public view on the streets, Her prize leaders auctioned off, her celebrities put in chain gangs. ¹¹ Expect the same treatment, Nineveh. You'll soon be staggering like a bunch of drunks, Wondering what hit you, looking for a place to sleep it off. ¹² All your forts are like peach trees, the lush peaches ripe, ready for the picking. One shake of the tree and they fall straight into hungry mouths.

New King James Version

⁸ Are you better than No Amon That was situated by the River, That had the waters around her, Whose rampart was the sea, Whose wall was the sea? ⁹ Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, And it was boundless; Put and Lubim were your helpers. ¹⁰ Yet she was carried away, She went into captivity; Her young children also were dashed to pieces At the head of every street; They cast lots for her honorable men, And all her great men were bound in chains. ¹¹ You also will be drunk; You will be hidden; You also will seek refuge from the enemy. ¹² All your strongholds are fig trees with ripened figs: If they are shaken, They fall into the mouth of the eater.

New Living Translation

⁸ Are you any better than the city of Thebes, situated on the Nile River, surrounded by water? She was protected by the river on all sides, walled in by water. ⁹ Ethiopia and the land of Egypt gave unlimited assistance. The nations of Put and Libya were among her allies. ¹⁰ Yet Thebes fell, and her people were led away as captives. Her babies were dashed to death against the stones of the streets. Soldiers threw dice to get Egyptian officers as servants. All their leaders were bound in chains. ¹¹ And you, Nineveh, will also stagger like a drunkard. You will hide for fear of the attacking enemy. ¹² All your fortresses will fall. They will be devoured like the ripe figs that fall into the mouths of those who shake the trees.