1. About Moab, this is what the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, says:Woe to Nebo, because it is about to be destroyed;Kiriathaim will be put to shame; it will be taken captive.The fortress will be put to shame and dismayed!
2. There is no longer praise for Moab;they plan harm against her in Heshbon: Come, let’s cut her off from nationhood.Also, Madmen, you will be silenced;the sword will pursue you.
3. A voice cries out from Horonaim, “devastation and great disaster!”
4. Moab will be shattered;her little ones will cry out.
5. For on the Ascent to Luhiththey will be weeping continually, and on the descent to Horonaimwill be heard cries of distress over the destruction:
6. Flee! Save your lives! Be like a juniper bush in the wilderness.
7. Because you trust in your works and treasures,you will be captured also.Chemosh will go into exilewith his priests and officials.
8. The destroyer will move against every town;not one town will escape.The valley will perish,and the plain will be annihilated, as the Lord has said.
9. Make Moab a salt marsh, for she will run away; her towns will become a desolation,without inhabitant.
10. The one who doesthe Lord’s business deceitfully is cursed, and the one who withholdshis sword from bloodshed is cursed.
11. Moab has been left quiet since his youth,settled like wine on its dregs. He hasn’t been poured from one container to anotheror gone into exile.So his taste has remained the same,and his aroma hasn’t changed.
12. Therefore look, the days are coming —this is the Lord’s declaration —when I will send those to him, who will pour him out.They will empty his containersand smash his jars.
13. Moab will be put to shame because of Chemosh,just as the house of Israel was put to shamebecause of Bethel that they trusted in.
14. How can you say, “We are warriors —mighty men ready for battle”?
15. The destroyer of Moab and its townshas come up, and the best of its young menhave gone down to slaughter.This is the King’s declaration;Yahweh of Hosts is His name.
16. Moab’s calamity is near at hand;his disaster is rushing swiftly.
17. Mourn for him, all you surrounding nations,everyone who knows his name.Say: How the mighty scepter is shattered,the glorious staff!
18. Come down from glory; sit on parched ground,resident of the daughter of Dibon, for the destroyer of Moab has come against you;he has destroyed your fortresses.
19. Stand by the highway and look,resident of Aroer! Ask him who is fleeing or her who is escaping: What happened?
20. Moab is put to shame, indeed dismayed.Wail and cry out! Declare by the Arnonthat Moab is destroyed.