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.
21. “Judgment has come to the land of the plateau — to Holon, Jahzah, Mephaath,
22. Dibon, Nebo, Beth-diblathaim,
23. Kiriathaim, Beth-gamul, Beth-meon,
24. Kerioth, Bozrah, and all the towns of the land of Moab, those far and near.
25. Moab’s horn is chopped off; his arm is shattered.” This is the Lord’s declaration.
26. “Make him drunk, because he has exalted himself against the Lord. Moab will wallow in his own vomit, and he will also become a laughingstock.
27. Wasn’t Israel a laughingstock to you? Was he ever found among thieves? For whenever you speak of him you shake your head.”
28. Abandon the towns! Live in the cliffs,residents of Moab!Be like a dovethat nests inside the mouth of a cave.
29. We have heard of Moab’s pride,great pride, indeed —his insolence, arrogance, pride,and haughty heart.
30. I know his outburst.This is the Lord’s declaration.It is empty.His boast is empty.
31. Therefore, I will wail over Moab.I will cry out for Moab, all of it;he will moan for the men of Kir-heres.
32. I will weep for you, vine of Sibmah,with more than the weeping for Jazer.Your tendrils have extended to the sea;they have reached to the sea and to Jazer. The destroyer has fallen on your summer fruit and grape harvest.