1The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza. {Gaza: Heb. Azzah}
2Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl. {all that...: Heb. the fulness thereof}
3At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong {horses}, at the rushing of his chariots, {and at} the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to {their} children for feebleness of hands;
4Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, {and} to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor. {the country: Heb. the isle}
5Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off {with} the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?
6O thou sword of the LORD, how long {will it be} ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still. {put...: Heb. gather thyself}
7How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it. {How...: Heb. How canst thou}