23. This is a message about Damascus.“Hamath and Arpad are worried because they heard the bad news.They melt in fear.They are troubled like a sea that can’t be calmed.
24. The people of Damascus are weak.They turn to flee, but panic grips them.Anguish and pain grip them like a woman in labor.
25. Why isn’t that famous, happy city abandoned?
26. That is why its young men will die in the streets,and its soldiers will be silenced that day,”declares the Lord of Armies.
27. “I will set fire to the walls of Damascusand burn down Benhadad’s palaces.”
28. This is about the tribe of Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeated. This is what the Lord says:Get ready, attack Kedar,and loot the people from the east.
29. Their tents and their flocks will be taken.Their tent curtains, utensils, and camels will be carried away.People will shout to them, “Terror is all around!”
30. Run far away! Find a place to hide,inhabitants of Hazor, declares the Lord.King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon has made plans against youand intends to attack you.
31. Get ready! Attack the nation living peacefully and securely,declares the Lord.It is a nation with no gates or bars.Its people live alone.
32. Their camels will be taken as prizes.Their large herds will be taken as loot.I will scatter to the windsthose who shave the hair on their foreheads.I will bring disaster on them from every side,declares the Lord.
33. Hazor will be a place where only jackals live.It will become a permanent wasteland.No one will live there.No human will stay there.
34. Early in the rule of King Zedekiah of Judah, the Lord spoke his word to the prophet Jeremiah about Elam.
35. This is what the Lord of Armies says:I’m going to break the bows of Elam’s archers,the most important weapon of their strength.
36. I’ll bring the four windsfrom the four corners of heaven against Elamand scatter its people in every direction.There won’t be a nationwhere Elam’s refugees won’t go.
37. I’ll defeat the people of Elam in the presence of their enemies,in the presence of those who want to kill them.I’ll bring disaster with my burning anger, declares the Lord.I’ll send armies after them until I put an end to them.