1. Concerning the Ammonites:This is what the Lord says:‘Has Israel no sons?Has Israel no heir?Why then has Molek taken possession of Gad?Why do his people live in its towns?
2. But the days are coming,’declares the Lord,‘when I will sound the battle cryagainst Rabbah of the Ammonites;it will become a mound of ruins,and its surrounding villages will be set on fire.Then Israel will drive outthose who drove her out,’says the Lord.
3. ‘Wail, Heshbon, for Ai is destroyed!Cry out, you inhabitants of Rabbah!Put on sackcloth and mourn;rush here and there inside the walls,for Molek will go into exile,together with his priests and officials.
4. Why do you boast of your valleys,boast of your valleys so fruitful?Unfaithful Daughter Ammon,you trust in your riches and say,“Who will attack me?”
5. I will bring terror on youfrom all those around you,’declares the Lord,the Lord Almighty.‘Every one of you will be driven away,and no one will gather the fugitives.
6. ‘Yet afterwards, I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites,’declares the Lord.
7. Concerning Edom:This is what the Lord Almighty says:‘Is there no longer wisdom in Teman?Has counsel perished from the prudent?Has their wisdom decayed?
8. Turn and flee, hide in deep caves,you who live in Dedan,for I will bring disaster on Esauat the time when I punish him.
9. If grape-pickers came to you,would they not leave a few grapes?If thieves came during the night,would they not steal only as much as they wanted?
10. But I will strip Esau bare;I will uncover his hiding-places,so that he cannot conceal himself.His armed men are destroyed,also his allies and neighbours,so there is no one to say,
11. “Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive.Your widows too can depend on me.” ’
12. This is what the Lord says: ‘If those who do not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, why should you go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, but must drink it.
13. I swear by myself,’ declares the Lord, ‘that Bozrah will become a ruin and a curse, an object of horror and reproach; and all its towns will be in ruins for ever.’
14. I have heard a message from the Lord;an envoy was sent to the nations to say,‘Assemble yourselves to attack it!Rise up for battle!’