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!’
15. ‘Now I will make you small among the nations,despised by mankind.
16. The terror you inspireand the pride of your heart have deceived you,you who live in the clefts of the rocks,who occupy the heights of the hill.Though you build your nest as high as the eagle’s,from there I will bring you down,’declares the Lord.
17. ‘Edom will become an object of horror;all who pass by will be appalled and will scoffbecause of all its wounds.
18. As Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown,along with their neighbouring towns,’says the Lord,‘so no one will live there;no people will dwell in it.
19. ‘Like a lion coming up from Jordan’s thicketsto a rich pasture-land,I will chase Edom from its land in an instant.Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this?Who is like me and who can challenge me?And what shepherd can stand against me?’
20. Therefore, hear what the Lord has planned against Edom,what he has purposed against those who live in Teman:the young of the flock will be dragged away;their pasture will be appalled at their fate.
21. At the sound of their fall the earth will tremble;their cry will resound to the Red Sea.
22. Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down,spreading its wings over Bozrah.In that day the hearts of Edom’s warriorswill be like the heart of a woman in labour.
23. Concerning Damascus:‘Hamath and Arpad are dismayed,for they have heard bad news.They are disheartened,troubled like the restless sea.
24. Damascus has become feeble,she has turned to fleeand panic has gripped her;anguish and pain have seized her,pain like that of a woman in labour.
25. Why has the city of renown not been abandoned,the town in which I delight?
26. Surely, her young men will fall in the streets;all her soldiers will be silenced in that day,’declares the Lord Almighty.
27. ‘I will set fire to the walls of Damascus;it will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad.’