"Howcan it be quiet,When the LORDhas givenit an order?AgainstAshkelonand againstthe seacoast--ThereHe has assignedit."
I sendit against a godlessnationAnd commissionit againstthe peopleof My furyTo capturebootyand to seizeplunder,And to tramplethem downlike mudin the streets.
I have commandedMy consecratedones, I have evencalledMy mightywarriors,My proudlyexultingones,To [execute] My anger.
"Have you not heard?LongagoI didit, From ancienttimesI plannedit. NowI have broughtit to pass,That you should turnfortifiedcitiesinto ruinousheaps.
"Cursedbe the one who doesthe LORD'Sworknegligently,And cursedbe the one who restrainshis swordfrom blood.
"Or[if] I should bringa swordon that countryand say,'Let the swordpassthrough the countryand cutoffmanand beastfrom it,'
"You therefore, sonof man,prophesyand clap[your] handstogether;and let the swordbe doubledthe thirdtime,the swordfor the slain.It is the swordfor the greatoneslain,which surroundsthem,
Return[it] to its sheath.In the placewhereyou were created,in the landof your origin,I will judgeyou.
"Sonof man,prophesyand say,'Thussaysthe LORD.'Say,A sword,a swordsharpenedAnd alsopolished!
thereforethussaysthe LordGOD,"Behold,I will stretchout My handagainstthe Philistines,even cutoffthe Cherethitesand destroythe remnantof the seacoast.
Ifa trumpetis blownin a citywill not the peopletremble?Ifa calamityoccursin a cityhas not the LORDdoneit?
The voiceof the LORDwill callto the city--And it is soundwisdomto fearYour name:"Hear,O tribe.Whohas appointedits time?
Nowgoand strikeAmalekand utterlydestroyallthat he has, and do not sparehim; but putto deathbothmanand woman,childand infant,oxand sheep,cameland donkey.'"
