26 Therefore their inhabitants were of small power. They were dismayed and confounded. They were like the grass of the field, and like the green herb, like the grass on the housetops, and like grain blasted before it has grown up.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
The weakness of the nations exposed to the Assyrian attacks was as much owing to the divine decrees as was the strength of the Assyrians themselves.
The grass on the house tops - Compare the marginal reference. The vegetation on the flat roofs of Oriental houses is the first to spring up and the first to fade away.
Therefore their (r) inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were [as] the grass of the field, and [as] the green herb, [as] the grass on the housetops, and [as corn] blasted before it be grown up.
(r) Thus he describes the wicked, who flourish for a time, and later fade and decay like flowers.
Therefore - Because I had armed thee with my commission and strength, and taken away their spirit and courage.
*More commentary available at chapter level.