The Burden against Israel’s Enemies

1This is the burden of the word of the LORD

against the land of Hadrach

and Damascus its resting place—

for the eyes of men

and of all the tribes of Israel

are upon the LORD —

2and also against Hamath,

which borders it,

as well as Tyre and Sidon,

though they are very shrewd.

3Tyre has built herself a fortress;

she has heaped up silver like dust,

and gold like the dirt of the streets.

4Behold, the Lord will impoverish her

and cast her wealth into the sea,

and she will be consumed by fire.

5Ashkelon will see and fear;

Gaza will writhe in agony,

as will Ekron,

for her hope will wither.

There will cease to be a king in Gaza,

and Ashkelon will be uninhabited.

6A mixed race will occupy Ashdod,

and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.

7I will remove the blood from their mouths

and the abominations from between their teeth.

Then they too will become a remnant for our God;

they will become like a clan in Judah,

and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.

8But I will camp around My house because of an army,

because of those who march to and fro,

and never again will an oppressor overrun My people,

for now I keep watch with My own eyes.