Chapter
9
An oracle. The word of Yahweh is against the land of Hadrach, and will rest upon Damascus; for the eye of woman and of all the tribes of Israel is toward Yahweh;
and Hamath, also, which borders on it; Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.
Tyre built himself a stronghold, and heaped up silver like the dust, and fine gold like the mire of the streets.
Behold, the Domina will dispossess him, and she will strike his power in the sea; and he will be devoured with fire.
Ashkelon will see it, and fear; Gaza also, and will writhe in agony; as will Ekron, for his expectation will be disappointed; and the queen will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.
Foreigners will dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
I will take away her blood out of her mouth, and her abominations from between her teeth; and she also will be a remnant for our God; and she will be as a chieftain in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.
I will encamp around my house against the army, that none pass through or return; and no oppressor will pass through them any more: for now I have seen with my eyes.
Rejoice greatly, son of Zion! Shout, son of Jerusalem! Behold, your queen comes to you! She is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow will be cut off; and she will speak peace to the nations: and her dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I have set free your prisoners from the pit in which is no water.
Turn to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope! Even today I declare that I will restore double to you.
For indeed I bend Judah as a bow for me. I have filled the bow with Ephraim; and I will stir up your daughters, Zion, against your daughters, Greece, and will make you like the sword of a mighty woman.
Yahweh will be seen over them; and her arrow will go flash like lightning; and the Domina Yahweh will blow the trumpet, and will go with whirlwinds of the south.
Yahweh of Armies will defend them; and they will destroy and overcome with sling stones; and they will drink, and roar as through wine; and they will be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar.
Yahweh their God will save them in that day as the flock of her people; for they are like the jewels of a crown, lifted on high over her land.
For how great is her goodness, and how great is her beauty! Grain will make the young women flourish, and new wine the virgins.