2Thus says the Lord:

* See: waters are rising from the north,

to become a torrent in flood;

They shall flood the land and all it contains,

the cities and their inhabitants.

People will howl and wail,

every inhabitant of the land.

3At the noise of the pounding hooves of his steeds,

the clanking chariots, the rumbling wheels,

Parents do not turn back for their children;

their hands hang helpless,

4Because of the day that is coming

to destroy all the Philistines

And cut off from Tyre and Sidon*

the last of their allies.

Yes, the Lord is destroying the Philistines,

the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.b

5Baldness is visited upon Gaza,c

Ashkelon is reduced to silence;

Ashdod, remnant of their strength,

how long will you gash yourself?*

6Ah! Sword of the Lord!

When will you find rest?

Return to your scabbard;

stop, be still!

7How can it find rest

when the Lord has commanded it?

Against Ashkelon and the seacoast,

there he has appointed it.d