Also ye, O Kushites, are the slain of My sword.[160]

The elegiac measure is now renewed[161] in an oracle against Assyria, the climax and front of heathendom (vv. 13–15). It must have been written before 608: there is no reason to doubt that it is Zephaniah’s.

And may He stretch out His hand against the North,

And destroy Asshur;

And may He turn Niniveh to desolation,

Dry as the desert.

And herds shall couch in her midst.

Every beast of .… .[162]

Yea, pelican and bittern[163] shall roost on the capitals;