Study Desk

"From the outcry at Heshbon even to Elealeh, as far as Jahaz they utter their voice, from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath-shelishiyah. For the waters of Nimrim also have become desolate.

Therefore my heart moans for Moab like a flute, and my heart moans like a flute for the men of Kir-hareseth. Therefore the riches they gained have perished.

"For every head is shaved and every beard cut off. On all the hands are gashes, and around the waist is sackcloth.

On all the housetops of Moab and in the squares there is nothing but lamentation, for I have broken Moab like a vessel for which no one cares, declares the Lord .

For thus says the Lord : "Behold, one shall fly swiftly like an eagle and spread his wings against Moab;

He who flees from the terror shall fall into the pit, and he who climbs out of the pit shall be caught in the snare. For I will bring these things upon Moab, the year of their punishment, declares the Lord .

"In the shadow of Heshbon fugitives stop without strength, for fire came out from Heshbon, flame from the house of Sihon; it has destroyed the forehead of Moab, the crown of the sons of tumult.

Woe to you, O Moab! The people of Chemosh are undone, for your sons have been taken captive, and your daughters into captivity.

"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.

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.

If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave gleanings? If thieves came by night, would they not destroy only enough for themselves?

For 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.

For 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."

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!

For behold, I will make you small among the nations, despised among mankind.

Behold, 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?

Concerning Damascus: "Hamath and Arpad are confounded, for they have heard bad news; they melt in fear, they are troubled like the sea that cannot be quiet.

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.

"For out of the north a nation has come up against her, which shall make her land a desolation, and none shall dwell in it; both man and beast shall flee away.

All who found them have devoured them, and their enemies have said, ‘We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the Lord , their habitation of righteousness, the Lord , the hope of their fathers.'