24. The city of Damascus has become weak. The people want to run away. They are ready to panic. They are overcome with fear and pain, like a woman giving birth.
25. “Damascus is a happy city. The people have not left that ‘fun city’ yet.
26. So the young men will die in the public squares of that city. All her soldiers will be killed at that time.” This is what the Lord All-Powerful said.
27. “I will set the walls of Damascus on fire. The fire will completely burn up the strong forts of Ben-Hadad.”
28. This message is about the tribe of Kedar and the rulers of Hazor. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeated them. This is what the Lord says: “Go and attack the tribe of Kedar. Destroy the people of the East.
29. Their tents and flocks will be taken away. Their tents and all their riches will be carried off. Their enemy will take away the camels. Men will shout this to them: ‘Terrible things are happening all around us.’
30. Run away quickly! People in Hazor, find a good place to hide.” This message is from the Lord. “Nebuchadnezzar has made plans against you. He thought of a smart plan to defeat you.
31. “There is a nation that feels so safe and secure that it does not have gates or fences to protect it. And no one lives near enough to help them. So attack that nation!” says the Lord.
32. “Their camels are there to be taken in battle. Their large herds of cattle will be yours. I will scatter them throughout the earth—those people who cut their hair short. I will bring disaster on them from every direction.” This message is from the Lord.
33. “Hazor will become a home for wild dogs, an empty desert forever. No one will live there. No one will stay in that place.”
34. Early in the time when Zedekiah was king of Judah, Jeremiah the prophet received a message from the Lord about the nation of Elam.
35. The Lord All-Powerful says, “I will break Elam’s bow very soon. It is Elam’s strongest weapon.
36. I will bring the four winds against Elam. I will bring them from the four corners of the skies. I will send the people of Elam to every place on the earth where the four winds blow. Elam’s captives will be carried away to every nation.
37. I will break Elam to pieces while their enemies are watching. I will break Elam in front of the people who want to kill them. I will bring terrible troubles to them. I will show them how angry I am.” This message is from the Lord. “I will send a sword to chase Elam. The sword will chase them until I have killed them all.