18. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. So were the towns that were near them," says the Lord. "You will be just like them. No one will live in your land. No one will stay there even for a short time.
19. "I will be like a lion coming up from the bushes by the Jordan River. I will hunt in rich grasslands. I will chase you from your land in an instant. What nation will I choose to do it? Which one will I appoint? Is anyone like me? Who would dare to argue with me? What leader can stand against me?"
20. So listen to what the Lord has planned against the people of Edom. Hear what he has planned against those who live in Teman. Edom 's young people will be dragged away. The Lord will completely destroy their grasslands because of them.
21. When the earth hears Edom fall, it will shake. The people's cries will be heard all the way to the Red Sea.
22. Look! An enemy is coming. It's like an eagle diving down. It will spread its wings over Bozrah. At that time the hearts of Edom's soldiers will tremble in fear. They'll be like the heart of a woman having a baby.
23. Here is what the Lord says about Damascus. He says, "The people of Hamath and Arpad are terrified. They have heard bad news. They have lost all hope. They are troubled like the rolling sea.
24. The people of Damascus have become weak. They have turned to run away. Panic has taken hold of them. Suffering and pain have taken hold of them. Their pain is like the pain of a woman having a baby.
25. Why hasn't the famous city been deserted? It is the town I take delight in.
26. You can be sure its young men will fall dead in the streets. All of its soldiers will be put to death at that time," announces the Lord who rules over all.
27. "I will set the walls of Damascus on fire. It will burn up the strong towers of King Ben-Hadad."