Jeremiah chapter 49
English Standard Version
2Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will cause the battle cry to be heard against Rabbah of the Ammonites; it shall become a desolate mound, and its villages shall be burned with fire; then Israel shall dispossess those who dispossessed him, says the Lord. 3"Wail, O Heshbon, for Ai is laid waste! Cry out, O daughters of Rabbah! Put on sackcloth, lament, and run to and fro among the hedges! For Milcom shall go into exile, with his priests and his officials. 4Why do you boast of your valleys, O faithless daughter, who trusted in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come against me?’ 5Behold, I will bring terror upon you, declares the Lord God of hosts, from all who are around you, and you shall be driven out, every man straight before him, with none to gather the fugitives. 6"But afterward I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites, declares the Lord."
8 Flee, turn back, dwell in the depths, O inhabitants of Dedan! For I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time when I punish him. 9 If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave gleanings? If thieves came by night, would they not destroy only enough for themselves? 10 But I have stripped Esau bare; I have uncovered his hiding places, and he is not able to conceal himself. His children are destroyed, and his brothers, and his neighbors; and he is no more. 11 Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive; and let your widows trust in me." 12For thus says the Lord: "If those who did not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, will you go unpunished? You shall not go unpunished, but you must drink. 13For I have sworn by myself, declares the Lord, that Bozrah shall become a horror, a taunt, a waste, and a curse, and all her cities shall be perpetual wastes."
14 I have heard a message from the Lord, and an envoy has been sent among the nations: "Gather yourselves together and come against her, and rise up for battle! 15For behold, I will make you small among the nations, despised among mankind. 16The horror you inspire has deceived you, and the pride of your heart, you who live in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill. Though you make your nest as high as the eagle 's, I will bring you down from there, declares the Lord. 17"Edom shall become a horror. Everyone who passes by it will be horrified and will hiss because of all its disasters. 18As when Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring cities were overthrown, says the Lord, no man shall dwell there, no man shall sojourn in her. 19Behold, like a lion coming up from the jungle of the Jordan against a perennial pasture, I will suddenly make him run away from her. And I will appoint over her whomever I choose. For who is like me? Who will summon me? What shepherd can stand before me? 20Therefore hear the plan that the Lord has made against Edom and the purposes that he has formed against the inhabitants of Teman: Even the little ones of the flock shall be dragged away. Surely their fold shall be appalled at their fate. 21At the sound of their fall the earth shall tremble; the sound of their cry shall be heard at the Red Sea. 22Behold, one shall mount up and fly swiftly like an eagle and spread his wings against Bozrah, and the heart of the warriors of Edom shall be in that day like the heart of a woman in her birth pains."
24 Damascus has become feeble, she turned to flee, and panic seized her; anguish and sorrows have taken hold of her, as of a woman in labor. 25How is the famous city not forsaken, the city of my joy? 26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her squares, and all her soldiers shall be destroyed in that day, declares the Lord of hosts. 27And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad." 28Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon struck down. Thus says the Lord: "Rise up, advance against Kedar! Destroy the people of the east!
29 Their tents and their flocks shall be taken, their curtains and all their goods; their camels shall be led away from them, and men shall cry to them: ‘Terror on every side!’ 30 Flee, wander far away, dwell in the depths, O inhabitants of Hazor! declares the Lord. For Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has made a plan against you and formed a purpose against you. 31 "Rise up, advance against a nation at ease, that dwells securely, declares the Lord, that has no gates or bars, that dwells alone. 32 Their camels shall become plunder, their herds of livestock a spoil. I will scatter to every wind those who cut the corners of their hair, and I will bring their calamity from every side of them, declares the Lord. 33Hazor shall become a haunt of jackals, an everlasting waste; no man shall dwell there; no man shall sojourn in her." 34The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah.
35Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might. 36And I will bring upon Elam the four winds from the four quarters of heaven. And I will scatter them to all those winds, and there shall be no nation to which those driven out of Elam shall not come. 37I will terrify Elam before their enemies and before those who seek their life. I will bring disaster upon them, my fierce anger, declares the Lord. I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them, 38and I will set my throne in Elam and destroy their king and officials, declares the Lord.
New International Version
1Concerning the Ammonites: This is what the Lord says: "Has Israel no sons? Has Israel no heir? Why then has Molek taken possession of Gad? Why do his people live in its towns? 2But the days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will sound the battle cry against Rabbah of the Ammonites; it will become a mound of ruins, and its surrounding villages will be set on fire. Then Israel will drive out those who drove her out," says the Lord. 3"Wail, Heshbon, for Ai is destroyed! Cry out, you inhabitants of Rabbah! Put on sackcloth and mourn; rush here and there inside the walls, for Molek will go into exile, together with his priests and officials. 4Why do you boast of your valleys, boast of your valleys so fruitful? Unfaithful Daughter Ammon, you trust in your riches and say, ‘Who will attack me?’
5I will bring terror on you from all those around you," declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty. "Every one of you will be driven away, and no one will gather the fugitives. 6"Yet afterward, I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites," declares the Lord.
7Concerning Edom: This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed? 8Turn and flee, hide in deep caves, you who live in Dedan, for I will bring disaster on Esau at the time when I punish him. 9If grape pickers came to you, would they not leave a few grapes? If thieves came during the night, would they not steal only as much as they wanted? 10But I will strip Esau bare; I will uncover his hiding places, so that he cannot conceal himself. His armed men are destroyed, also his allies and neighbors, so there is no one to say, 11‘Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive. Your widows too can depend on me.’ "
12This is what the Lord says: "If those who do not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, why should you go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, but must drink it. 13I swear by myself," declares the Lord, "that Bozrah will become a ruin and a curse, an object of horror and reproach; and all its towns will be in ruins forever."
14I have heard a message from the Lord; an envoy was sent to the nations to say, "Assemble yourselves to attack it! Rise up for battle!" 15"Now I will make you small among the nations, despised by mankind. 16The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle’s, from there I will bring you down," declares the Lord. 17"Edom will become an object of horror; all who pass by will be appalled and will scoff because of all its wounds.
19"Like a lion coming up from Jordan’s thickets to a rich pastureland, I will chase Edom from its land in an instant. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? Who is like me and who can challenge me? And what shepherd can stand against me?" 20Therefore, hear what the Lord has planned against Edom, what he has purposed against those who live in Teman: The young of the flock will be dragged away; their pasture will be appalled at their fate. 21At the sound of their fall the earth will tremble; their cry will resound to the Red Sea. 22Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down, spreading its wings over Bozrah. In that day the hearts of Edom’s warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor.
23Concerning Damascus: "Hamath and Arpad are dismayed, for they have heard bad news. They are disheartened, troubled like the restless sea. 24Damascus has become feeble, she has turned to flee and panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her, pain like that of a woman in labor. 25Why has the city of renown not been abandoned, the town in which I delight? 26Surely, her young men will fall in the streets; all her soldiers will be silenced in that day," declares the Lord Almighty. 27"I will set fire to the walls of Damascus; it will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad."
30"Flee quickly away! Stay in deep caves, you who live in Hazor," declares the Lord. "Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has plotted against you; he has devised a plan against you. 31"Arise and attack a nation at ease, which lives in confidence," declares the Lord, "a nation that has neither gates nor bars; its people live far from danger. 32Their camels will become plunder, and their large herds will be spoils of war. I will scatter to the winds those who are in distant places and will bring disaster on them from every side," declares the Lord. 33"Hazor will become a haunt of jackals, a desolate place forever. No one will live there; no people will dwell in it."
35This is what the Lord Almighty says: "See, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might. 36I will bring against Elam the four winds from the four quarters of heaven; I will scatter them to the four winds, and there will not be a nation where Elam’s exiles do not go. 37I will shatter Elam before their foes, before those who want to kill them; I will bring disaster on them, even my fierce anger," declares the Lord. "I will pursue them with the sword until I have made an end of them.
New American Standard Bible
1Concerning the sons of Ammon. This is what the Lord says: 'Does Israel have no sons? Or has he no heirs? Why then has Malcam taken possession of Gad, And his people settled in its cities? 2Therefore behold, the days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'When I will cause an alarm of war to be heard Against Rabbah of the sons of Ammon; And it will become a desolate heap, And her towns will be set on fire. Then Israel will take possession of his possessors,' Says the Lord. 3'Wail, Heshbon, for Ai has been destroyed! Cry out, daughters of Rabbah, Put on sackcloth and mourn, And move about inside the walls; For Malcam will go into exile Together with his priests and his leaders. 4How you boast about the valleys! Your valley is flowing away, You backsliding daughter Who trusts in her treasures, saying, ‘Who can come against me?’ 5Behold, I am going to bring terror upon you,' Declares the Lord God of armies, 'From all directions around you; And you will be driven away one after another, With no one to gather the fugitives together. 6But afterward I will restore The fortunes of the sons of Ammon,' Declares the Lord. 7Concerning Edom. This is what the Lord of armies says: 'Is there no longer any wisdom in Teman? Has good advice been lost by the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed? 8Flee away, turn back, dwell in the depths, You inhabitants of Dedan, For I will bring the disaster of Esau upon him At the time I punish him. 9If grape pickers came to you, Would they not leave gleanings? If thieves came by night, They would destroy only what was sufficient for them. 10But I have stripped Esau bare, I have uncovered his hiding places So that he will not be able to conceal himself; His offspring have been destroyed along with his brothers And his neighbors, and he no longer exists. 11Leave your orphans behind, I will keep them alive; And let your widows trust in Me.'
12For this is what the Lord says: 'Behold, those who were not sentenced to drink the cup will certainly drink it, so are you the one who will be held completely blameless? You will not be held blameless, but you will certainly drink it. 13For I have sworn by Myself,' declares the Lord, 'that Bozrah will become an object of horror, a disgrace, a wasteland, and a curse; and all its cities will become permanent ruins.'
14I have heard a message from the Lord, And a messenger is being sent among the nations, saying, 'Gather yourselves together and come against her, And rise up for battle!' 15'For behold, I have made you small among the nations, Despised among people.
17Edom will become an object of horror; everyone who passes by it will be appalled and will hiss at all its wounds. 18Like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah with its neighbors,' says the Lord, 'no one will live there, nor will anyone of mankind reside in it. 19Behold, one will come up like a lion from the thicket of the Jordan to a perennially watered pasture; for in an instant I will chase him away from it, and I will appoint over it whoever is chosen. For who is like Me, and who will summon Me into court? And who then is the shepherd who can stand against Me?'
20Therefore hear the plan of the Lord which He has planned against Edom, and His purposes which He has in mind against the inhabitants of Teman: they will certainly drag them off, even the little ones of the flock; He will certainly make their pasture desolate because of them. 21The earth has quaked at the noise of their downfall. There is an outcry! The noise of it has been heard at the Red Sea. 22Behold, He will mount up and swoop like an eagle, and spread out His wings against Bozrah; and the hearts of the warriors of Edom on that day will be like the heart of a woman in labor.
23Concerning Damascus: 'Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, For they have heard bad news; They despair. There is anxiety at the sea, It cannot be calmed. 24Damascus has become helpless; She has turned away to flee, And panic has gripped her; Distress and labor pains have seized her Like a woman in childbirth. 25How the city of praise has not been deserted, The town of My joy! 26Therefore, her young men will fall in her streets, And all the men of war will perish on that day,' declares the Lord of armies. 27'I will set fire to the wall of Damascus, And it will devour the fortified palace of Ben-hadad.'
29They will take away their tents and their flocks; They will carry off for themselves Their tent curtains, all their goods and their camels, And they will call out to one another, ‘Horror on every side!’ 30Run away, flee! Dwell in the depths, You inhabitants of Hazor,' declares the Lord; 'For Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has formed a plan against you And devised a scheme against you. 31Arise, go up against a nation which is at ease, Which lives securely,' declares the Lord. 'It has no gates or bars; They dwell alone. 32Their camels will become plunder, And their many livestock for spoils, And I will scatter to all the winds those who cut the corners of their hair; And I will bring their disaster from every side,' declares the Lord.
35'This is what the Lord of armies says: ‘Behold, I am going to break the bow of Elam, The finest of their might. 36I will bring upon Elam the four winds From the four ends of heaven, And will scatter them to all these winds; And there will be no nation To which the outcasts of Elam will not go. 37So I will shatter Elam before their enemies And before those who seek their lives; And I will bring disaster upon them, Even My fierce anger,’ declares the Lord, ‘And I will send the sword after them Until I have consumed them. 38Then I will set My throne in Elam, And eliminate from there the king and officials,’ Declares the Lord. 39‘But it will come about in the last days That I will restore the fortunes of Elam,’?' Declares the Lord.
Christian Standard Bible
2Therefore look, the days are coming — this is the Lord’s declaration— when I will make the shout of battle heard against Rabbah of the Ammonites. It will become a desolate mound, and its surrounding villages will be set on fire. Israel will dispossess their dispossessors, says the Lord. 3Wail, Heshbon, for Ai is devastated; cry out, daughters of Rabbah! Clothe yourselves with sackcloth, and lament; run back and forth within your walls, because Milcom will go into exile together with his priests and officials. 4Why do you boast about your valleys, your flowing valley, you faithless daughter— you who trust in your treasures and say, "Who can attack me?"
7About Edom, this is what the Lord of Armies says: Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom rotted away? 8Run! Turn back! Lie low, residents of Dedan, for I will bring Esau’s calamity on him at the time I punish him. 9If grape harvesters came to you, wouldn’t they leave some gleanings? Were thieves to come in the night, they would destroy only what they wanted. 10But I will strip Esau bare; I will uncover his secret places. He will try to hide, but he will be unable. His descendants will be destroyed along with his relatives and neighbors. He will exist no longer. 11Abandon your fatherless; I will preserve them; let your widows trust in me.
12For this is what the Lord says: "If those who do not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, can you possibly remain unpunished? You will not remain unpunished, for you must drink it too. 13For by myself I have sworn" —this is the Lord’s declaration—"Bozrah will become a desolation, a disgrace, a ruin, and an example for cursing, and all its surrounding cities will become ruins forever."
14I have heard an envoy from the Lord; a messenger has been sent among the nations: Assemble yourselves to come against her. Rise up for war! 15I will certainly make you insignificant among the nations, despised among humanity.
17"Edom will become a desolation. Everyone who passes by her will be appalled and scoff because of all her wounds. 18As when Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown along with their neighbors," says the Lord, "no one will live there; no human being will stay in it even temporarily.
20Therefore, hear the plans that the Lord has drawn up against Edom and the strategies he has devised against the people of Teman: The flock’s little lambs will certainly be dragged away, and their grazing land will be made desolate because of them. 21At the sound of their fall the earth will quake; the sound of her cry will be heard at the Red Sea. 22Look! It will be like an eagle soaring upward, then swooping down and spreading its wings over Bozrah. In that day the hearts of Edom’s warriors will be like the heart of a woman with contractions.
23About Damascus: Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard a bad report and are agitated, like the anxious sea that cannot be calmed. 24Damascus has become weak; she has turned to run; panic has gripped her. Distress and labor pains have seized her like a woman in labor. 25How can the city of praise not be abandoned, the town that brings me joy?
26Therefore, her young men will fall in her public squares; all the warriors will perish in that day. This is the declaration of the Lord of Armies. 27I will set fire to the wall of Damascus; it will consume Ben-hadad’s citadels.
28About Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeated, this is what the Lord says: Rise up, attack Kedar, and destroy the people of the east! 29They will take their tents and their flocks along with their tent curtains and all their equipment. They will take their camels for themselves. They will call out to them, "Terror is on every side!"
32Their camels will become plunder, and their massive herds of cattle will become spoil. I will scatter them to the wind in every direction, those who clip the hair on their temples; I will bring calamity on them across all their borders. This is the Lord’s declaration. 33Hazor will become a jackals’ den, a desolation forever. No one will live there; no human being will stay in it even temporarily.
New Living Translation
1This message was given concerning the Ammonites. This is what the Lord says: 'Are there no descendants of Israel to inherit the land of Gad? Why are you, who worship Molech, living in its towns? 2In the days to come,' says the Lord, 'I will sound the battle cry against your city of Rabbah. It will become a desolate heap of ruins, and the neighboring towns will be burned. Then Israel will take back the land you took from her,' says the Lord.
3'Cry out, O Heshbon, for the town of Ai is destroyed. Weep, O people of Rabbah! Put on your clothes of mourning. Weep and wail, hiding in the hedges, for your god Molech, with his priests and officials, will be hauled off to distant lands. 4You are proud of your fertile valleys, but they will soon be ruined. You trusted in your wealth, you rebellious daughter, and thought no one could ever harm you. 5But look! I will bring terror upon you,' says the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 'Your neighbors will chase you from your land, and no one will help your exiles as they flee. 6But I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites in days to come. I, the Lord, have spoken.'
7This message was given concerning Edom. This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: 'Is there no wisdom in Teman? Is no one left to give wise counsel? 8Turn and flee! Hide in deep caves, you people of Dedan! For when I bring disaster on Edom, I will punish you, too! 9Those who harvest grapes always leave a few for the poor. If thieves came at night, they would not take everything. 10But I will strip bare the land of Edom, and there will be no place left to hide. Its children, its brothers, and its neighbors will all be destroyed, and Edom itself will be no more. 11But I will protect the orphans who remain among you. Your widows, too, can depend on me for help.'
12And this is what the Lord says: 'If the innocent must suffer, how much more must you! You will not go unpunished! You must drink this cup of judgment! 13For I have sworn by my own name,' says the Lord, 'that Bozrah will become an object of horror and a heap of ruins; it will be mocked and cursed. All its towns and villages will be desolate forever.'
15The Lord says to Edom, 'I will cut you down to size among the nations. You will be despised by all. 16You have been deceived by the fear you inspire in others and by your own pride. You live in a rock fortress and control the mountain heights. But even if you make your nest among the peaks with the eagles, I will bring you crashing down,' says the Lord.
17'Edom will be an object of horror. All who pass by will be appalled and will gasp at the destruction they see there. 18It will be like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns,' says the Lord. 'No one will live there; no one will inhabit it. 19I will come like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan, leaping on the sheep in the pasture. I will chase Edom from its land, and I will appoint the leader of my choice. For who is like me, and who can challenge me? What ruler can oppose my will?'
20Listen to the Lord’s plans against Edom and the people of Teman. Even the little children will be dragged off like sheep, and their homes will be destroyed. 21The earth will shake with the noise of Edom’s fall, and its cry of despair will be heard all the way to the Red Sea. 22Look! The enemy swoops down like an eagle, spreading his wings over Bozrah. Even the mightiest warriors will be in anguish like a woman in labor.
23This message was given concerning Damascus. This is what the Lord says: 'The towns of Hamath and Arpad are struck with fear, for they have heard the news of their destruction. Their hearts are troubled like a wild sea in a raging storm. 24Damascus has become feeble, and all her people turn to flee. Fear, anguish, and pain have gripped her as they grip a woman in labor. 25That famous city, a city of joy, will be forsaken! 26Her young men will fall in the streets and die. Her soldiers will all be killed,' says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 27'And I will set fire to the walls of Damascus that will burn up the palaces of Ben-hadad.'
28This message was given concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which were attacked by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. This is what the Lord says: 'Advance against Kedar! Destroy the warriors from the East! 29Their flocks and tents will be captured, and their household goods and camels will be taken away. Everywhere shouts of panic will be heard: ‘We are terrorized at every turn!’ 30Run for your lives,' says the Lord. 'Hide yourselves in deep caves, you people of Hazor, for King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon has plotted against you and is preparing to destroy you.
31'Go up and attack that complacent nation,' says the Lord. 'Its people live alone in the desert without walls or gates. 32Their camels and other livestock will all be yours. I will scatter to the winds these people who live in remote places. I will bring calamity upon them from every direction,' says the Lord. 33'Hazor will be inhabited by jackals, and it will be desolate forever. No one will live there; no one will inhabit it.'
35This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: 'I will destroy the archers of Elam — the best of their forces. 36I will bring enemies from all directions, and I will scatter the people of Elam to the four winds. They will be exiled to countries around the world. 37I myself will go with Elam’s enemies to shatter it. In my fierce anger, I will bring great disaster upon the people of Elam,' says the Lord. 'Their enemies will chase them with the sword until I have destroyed them completely. 38I will set my throne in Elam,' says the Lord, 'and I will destroy its king and officials. 39But I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come. I, the Lord, have spoken!'
King James Version
6And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the Lord. 7Concerning Edom, thus saith the Lord of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?
11Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me. 12For thus saith the Lord; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it. 13For I have sworn by myself, saith the Lord, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes. 14I have heard a rumour from the Lord, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.
22Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs. 23Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
27And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad. 28Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the Lord; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east.
33And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons, and a desolation for ever: there shall no man abide there, nor any son of man dwell in it. 34The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying, 35Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
New King James Version
1Against the Ammonites. Thus says the Lord: “Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir? Why then does Milcom inherit Gad, And his people dwell in its cities? 2 Therefore behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will cause to be heard an alarm of war In Rabbah of the Ammonites; It shall be a desolate mound, And her villages shall be burned with fire. Then Israel shall take possession of his inheritance,” says the Lord. 3“Wail, O Heshbon, for Ai is plundered! Cry, you daughters of Rabbah, Gird yourselves with sackcloth! Lament and run to and fro by the walls; For Milcom shall go into captivity With his priests and his princes together. 4Why do you boast in the valleys, Your flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? Who trusted in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come against me?’ 5Behold, I will bring fear upon you,” Says the Lord God of hosts, “From all those who are around you; You shall be driven out, everyone headlong, And no one will gather those who wander off. 6But afterward I will bring back The captives of the people of Ammon,” says the Lord.
7Against Edom. Thus says the Lord of hosts: “ Is wisdom no more in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom vanished? 8Flee, turn back, dwell in the depths, O inhabitants of Dedan! For I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, The time that I will punish him. 9 If grape-gatherers came to you, Would they not leave some gleaning grapes? If thieves by night, Would they not destroy until they have enough? 10 But I have made Esau bare; I have uncovered his secret places, And he shall not be able to hide himself. His descendants are plundered, His brethren and his neighbors, And he is no more. 11Leave your fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; And let your widows trust in Me.”
12For thus says the Lord: “Behold, those whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunk. And are you the one who will altogether go unpunished? You shall not go unpunished, but you shall surely drink of it. 13For I have sworn by Myself,” says the Lord, “that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse. And all its cities shall be perpetual wastes.”
14 I have heard a message from the Lord, And an ambassador has been sent to the nations: “Gather together, come against her, And rise up to battle! 15“For indeed, I will make you small among nations, Despised among men. 16Your fierceness has deceived you, The pride of your heart, O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Who hold the height of the hill! Though you make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there,” says the Lord. 17“Edom also shall be an astonishment; Everyone who goes by it will be astonished And will hiss at all its plagues. 18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah And their neighbors,” says the Lord, “No one shall remain there, Nor shall a son of man dwell in it. 19“Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the floodplain of the Jordan Against the dwelling place of the strong; But I will suddenly make him run away from her. And who is a chosen man that I may appoint over her? For who is like Me? Who will arraign Me? And who is that shepherd Who will withstand Me?” 20 Therefore hear the counsel of the Lord that He has taken against Edom, And His purposes that He has proposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out; Surely He shall make their dwelling places desolate with them. 21 The earth shakes at the noise of their fall; At the cry its noise is heard at the Red Sea. 22Behold, He shall come up and fly like the eagle, And spread His wings over Bozrah; The heart of the mighty men of Edom in that day shall be Like the heart of a woman in birth pangs.
23Against Damascus. “Hamath and Arpad are shamed, For they have heard bad news. They are fainthearted; There is trouble on the sea; It cannot be quiet. 24Damascus has grown feeble; She turns to flee, And fear has seized her. Anguish and sorrows have taken her like a woman in labor. 25Why is the city of praise not deserted, the city of My joy? 26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, And all the men of war shall be cut off in that day,” says the Lord of hosts. 27“I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, And it shall consume the palaces of Ben-Hadad.”
28Against Kedar and against the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon shall strike. Thus says the Lord: “Arise, go up to Kedar, And devastate the men of the East! 29Their tents and their flocks they shall take away. They shall take for themselves their curtains, All their vessels and their camels; And they shall cry out to them, ‘Fear is on every side!’ 30“Flee, get far away! Dwell in the depths, O inhabitants of Hazor!” says the Lord. “For Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has taken counsel against you, And has conceived a plan against you. 31“Arise, go up to the wealthy nation that dwells securely,” says the Lord, “Which has neither gates nor bars, Dwelling alone. 32Their camels shall be for booty, And the multitude of their cattle for plunder. I will scatter to all winds those in the farthest corners, And I will bring their calamity from all its sides,” says the Lord. 33“Hazor shall be a dwelling for jackals, a desolation forever; No one shall reside there, Nor son of man dwell in it.”
35“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, The foremost of their might. 36Against Elam I will bring the four winds From the four quarters of heaven, And scatter them toward all those winds; There shall be no nations where the outcasts of Elam will not go. 37For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies And before those who seek their life. I will bring disaster upon them, My fierce anger,’ says the Lord; ‘And I will send the sword after them Until I have consumed them. 38I will set My throne in Elam, And will destroy from there the king and the princes,’ says the Lord. 39‘But it shall come to pass in the latter days: I will bring back the captives of Elam,’ says the Lord.”