1. Concerning the Ammonites, the Lord proclaims:Doesn’t Israel have children?Aren’t there heirs to his land?Why then has Milcom taken over Gad?Why have his people settled in its towns?
2. Therefore, the time is coming,declares the Lord, when I will sound the battle alarm against Rabbah,the capital city of the Ammonites.The city will be demolished,and its neighboring villageswill be burned to the ground.Then Israel will repossessthe land seized by its captors,says the Lord.
3. Weep, you people of Heshbon;Ai has been destroyed.Wail, you daughters of Rabbah;put on funeral clothing,cry your eyes out,run for shelter.Milcom will surely go into exile,together with his priests and ministers.
4. Why do you brag about your strength?Your strength is exhausted,you rebellious daughter.You trust in your treasures,never imagining who would attack you.
5. I’m the one who will terrify you from every side,declares the Lord of heavenly forces.Every one of you will be scattered about;no one will gather those who fled.
6. Afterward, though, I will bring backthe Ammonites from captivity,declares the Lord.
7. Concerning Edom, the Lord of heavenly forces proclaims:Is wisdom no longer in Teman?Has good sense vanished from the perceptive?Are they no longer wise?
8. Turn, flee, and run for cover,you inhabitants of Dedan.I’m bringing disaster on Esau:its day of reckoning.
9. If workers would come to you to pick grapes,they would at least leave a few on the vine.If thieves would come in the night,they would take only what they needed.
10. But me? I will strip Esau bare.I will expose his hiding places,and he will find no place to take cover.His offspring, family, and acquaintances will perish,and there will be no one left to say,
11. "Leave me your orphans,and I’ll look after them;trust your widows into my care."
12. The Lord proclaims: If the innocent must drink the cup, why do you expect to escape punishment? You won’t! You will drink it!
13. I myself swear, declares the Lord, that Bozrah will become an object of horror and scorn, a wasteland and a curse. And all of its towns will lie in ruins forever.
14. I have heard a report from the Lordthat a messenger is sent among the nations:Join forces and come against her;prepare for war!
15. I’m about to cut you down to size before the nations;you will be scorned by everyone.
16. The terror you have inflicted on others has deceived you,as has your own pride.Though you live in a fortressand occupy the high ground;though you nest on high like the eagles,I will bring you down,declares the Lord.