16-18. They went on to Beer (The Well), where God said to Moses, “Gather the people; I’ll give them water.” That’s where Israel sang this song:Erupt, Well!Sing the Song of the Well,the well sunk by princes,Dug out by the peoples’ leadersdigging with their scepters and staffs.
19-20. From the wilderness their route went from Mattanah to Nahaliel to Bamoth (The Heights) to the valley that opens into the fields of Moab from where Pisgah (The Summit) rises and overlooks Jeshimon (Wasteland).
21-22. Israel sent emissaries to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying, “Let us cross your land. We won’t trespass into your fields or drink water in your vineyards. We’ll keep to the main road, the King’s Road, until we’re through your land.”
23-27. But Sihon wouldn’t let Israel go through. Instead he got his army together and marched into the wilderness to fight Israel. At Jahaz he attacked Israel. But Israel fought hard, beat him soundly, and took possession of his land from the Arnon all the way to the Jabbok right up to the Ammonite border. They stopped there because the Ammonite border was fortified. Israel took and occupied all the Amorite cities, including Heshbon and all its surrounding villages. Heshbon was the capital city of Sihon king of the Amorites. He had attacked the former king of Moab and captured all his land as far north as the river Arnon. That is why the folk singers sing,Come to Heshbon to rebuild the city,restore Sihon’s town.
28-29. Fire once poured out of Heshbon,flames from the city of Sihon;Burning up Ar of Moab,the natives of Arnon’s heights.Doom, Moab!The people of Chemosh, done for!Sons turned out as fugitives, daughters abandoned as captivesto the king of the Amorites, to Sihon.