1. Concerning the Ammonites. Thus says the Lord:Has Israel no sons?none to inherit?Why has Milcom disinherited Gad,why are his people living in its cities?
2. Therefore the days are coming—oracle of the Lord—when I will sound the battle alarmagainst Rabbah of the Ammonites;It shall become a mound of ruins,and its villages destroyed by fire.Israel shall then inherit those who disinherited it—oracle of the Lord.
3. Wail, Heshbon, “The ruin is destroyed!”shriek, villages of Rabbah!Put on sackcloth and lament!Run back and forth in the sheepfolds.For Milcom is going into exile,taking priest and prince with him.
4. Why boast in your strength,your ebbing strength, rebellious daughter?Why trust in your treasures, saying,“Who would dare attack me?”
5. See, I am bringing terror upon you—oracle of the Lord God of hosts—from all around you;You shall be scattered, each in headlong flight,with no one to gather the fugitives.
6. But afterward I will restore the fortunesof the Ammonites—oracle of the Lord.
7. Concerning Edom. Thus says the Lord of hosts:Is there no more wisdom in Teman,has counsel perished from the prudent,is their wisdom gone?
8. Flee, retreat, hide deep for lodging,inhabitants of Dedan:For I bring disaster upon Esauwhen I come to punish them.
9. If vintagers came upon you,they would leave no gleanings;If thieves by night,they would destroy as they pleased.
10. So I myself will strip Esau;I will uncover his lairs so he cannot hide.Offspring and family are destroyed,neighbors, too; he is no more.
11. Leave your orphans behind, I will keep them alive;your widows, let them trust in me.
12. For thus says the Lord: Look, even those not sentenced to drink the cup must drink it! Shall you then go unpunished? You shall not! You shall drink every bit of it!