27. “Moab, you made fun of Israel. Israel was caught by a gang of thieves. Every time you spoke about Israel, you shook your head and acted as if you were better than Israel.
28. People in Moab, leave your towns. Go live among the rocks; be like a dove that makes its nest at the opening of a cave.”
29. “We have heard about Moab’s pride. He was very proud. He thought he was important. He was always bragging. He was very, very proud.”
30. The Lord says, “I know Moab gets angry quickly and brags about himself, but his boasts are lies. He cannot do what he says.
31. So I cry for Moab. I cry for everyone in Moab. I cry for the men from Kir Hareseth.
32. I cry with the people of Jazer for Jazer. Sibmah, in the past your vines spread all the way to the sea. They reached as far as the town of Jazer. But the Destroyer has taken your fruit and grapes.
33. Joy and happiness are gone from the large vineyards of Moab. I stopped the flow of wine from the winepresses. There is no singing and dancing from people walking on the grapes to make wine. There are no shouts of joy.
34. “The people of the towns of Heshbon and Elealeh are crying. Their cry is heard even as far away as the town of Jahaz. Their cry is heard from the town of Zoar, as far away as the towns of Horonaim and Eglath Shelishiyah. Even the waters of Nimrim are dried up.
35. I will stop Moab from making burnt offerings on the high places. I will stop them from making sacrifices to their gods.” This is what the Lord said.
36. “I am very sad for Moab. My heart cries like the sad sound of a flute playing a funeral song. I am sad for the people from Kir Hareseth. Their money and riches have all been taken away.
37. Everyone has a shaved head. Everyone’s beard is cut off. Everyone’s hands are cut and bleeding. Everyone is wearing sackcloth around their waists.
38. People are crying for the dead everywhere in Moab—on every housetop and in every public square. There is sadness because I have broken Moab like an empty jar.” This is what the Lord said.
39. “Moab is shattered. The people are crying. Moab surrendered. Now Moab is ashamed. People make fun of Moab, but what happened fills them with fear.”
40. The Lord says, “Look! An eagle is diving down from the sky. It is spreading its wings over Moab.
41. The towns of Moab will be captured. The strong hiding places will be defeated. At that time Moab’s soldiers will be filled with fear, like a woman giving birth.
42. The nation of Moab will be destroyed, because they thought that they were more important than the Lord.”