^1. THAT which came as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh [1] conquered Gaza.

^2. Thus says the LORD: «Behold, waters are going to rise from the north And become an overflowing torrent, And overflow the land and all its fullness, The city and those who live in it; And the men will cry out, And every inhabitant of the land will wail.

^3. «Because of the noise of the [3] galloping hoofs of his [2] stallions, The tumult of his chariots, and the rumbling of his wheels, The fathers have not turned back for their children, Because of the limpness of their hands,

^4. On account of the day that is coming To destroy all the Philistines, To cut off from Tyre and Sidon Every ally that is left; For the LORD is going to destroy the Philistines, The remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.

^5. « Baldness has come upon Gaza; Ashkelon has been ruined. O remnant of their valley, How long will you gash yourself?

^6. «Ah, sword of the LORD, How long will you not be quiet? Withdraw into your sheath; Be at rest and stay still.

^7. «How can [4] it be quiet, When the LORD has given it an order? Against Ashkelon and against the seacoast -- There He has assigned it.»