Judgment against Israel’s Enemies
9 This is the message from the LORD against the land of Aram and the city of Damascus, for the eyes of humanity, including all the tribes of Israel, are on the LORD. 2 Doom is certain for Hamath, though they are so clever. 3 Tyre has built a strong fortress as plentiful as dust in the streets! 4 But now the Lord will strip away Tyre’s possessions and it will be burned to the ground. 5 The city of Ashkelon will see Tyre fall and Ashkelon will be deserted. 6 Foreigners will occupy the city of Ashdod. I will destroy the pride of the Philistines. 7 I will grab the bloody meat from their mouths as the ancient Jebusites once did. 8 I will guard my Temple that no more foreign oppressors overrun my people’s land. 9 Rejoice, O people of Zion! riding on a donkey’s colt. 10 I will remove the battle chariots from Israel and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth. 11 Because of the covenant I made with you, from death in a waterless dungeon. 12 Come back to the place of safety, that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles. 13 Judah is my bow, and like a warrior, I will brandish it against the Greeks. 14 The LORD will appear above his people; and attack like a whirlwind from the southern desert. 15 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies will protect his people, drenched with blood like the corners of the altar. 16 On that day the LORD their God will rescue his people, like jewels in a crown. 17 How wonderful and beautiful they will be! and the young women will flourish on new wine.