23. The Lord says about Damascus:The towns of Hamath and Arpadhave heard your bad news.They have lost hope,and worries roll over themlike ocean waves.
24. You people of Damascushave lost your courage,and in panic you turn to run,gripped by fear and pain.
25. I once was pleasedwith your famous city.But now I warn you, “Escapewhile you still can!”
26. Soon, even your best soldierswill lie dead in your streets.I, the Lord All-Powerful,have spoken.
27. I will set fire to your city wallsand burn down the fortressesKing Benhadad built.
28. Here is what the Lord says about the Kedar tribe and the desert villages that were conquered by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia:Listen, you people of Kedarand the other tribesof the eastern desert.I have told Nebuchadnezzarto attack and destroy you.
29. His fearsome armywill surround you,taking your tents and possessions,your sheep and camels.
30. Run and hide,you people of the desertwho live in villages!Nebuchadnezzar has big plansfor you.
31. You have no city wallsand no neighbours to help,yet you think you're safe—so I told him to attack.
32. Then your camelsand large herdswill be yours no longer.People of the Arabian Desert,disaster will strike youfrom every side,and you will be scatteredeverywhere on earth.
33. Only jackals will livewhere your villages once stood.I, the Lord, have spoken.
34-35. Not long after Zedekiah became king of Judah, the Lord told me to say:People of Elam,I, the Lord All-Powerful,will kill the archerswho make your army strong.
36. Enemies will attackfrom all directions,and you will be led captiveto every nation on earth.
37. Their armies will crushand kill you,and you will face the disasterthat my anger brings.
38. Your king and his officialswill die, and I will rulein their place.I, the Lord, have spoken.
39. But I promise that some dayI will bring your peopleback to their land.