Study Desk

Oh, that Moab had wings so she could fly away, for her towns will be left empty, with no one living in them.

"Destruction is coming fast for Moab; calamity threatens ominously.

You friends of Moab, weep for him and cry! See how the strong scepter is broken, how the beautiful staff is shattered!

"Come down from your glory and sit in the dust, you people of Dibon, for those who destroy Moab will shatter Dibon, too. They will tear down all your towers.

"Let him stagger and fall like a drunkard, for he has rebelled against the Lord . Moab will wallow in his own vomit, ridiculed by all.

We have all heard of the pride of Moab, for his pride is very great. We know of his lofty pride, his arrogance, and his haughty heart.

So now I wail for Moab; yes, I will mourn for Moab. My heart is broken for the men of Kir-hareseth.

"You people of Sibmah, rich in vineyards, I will weep for you even more than I did for Jazer. Your spreading vines once reached as far as the Dead Sea, but the destroyer has stripped you bare! He has harvested your grapes and summer fruits.

"I will put an end to Moab," says the Lord , "for the people offer sacrifices at the pagan shrines and burn incense to their false gods.

My heart moans like a flute for Moab and Kir-hareseth, for all their wealth has disappeared.

There is crying and sorrow in every Moabite home and on every street. For I have smashed Moab like an old, unwanted jar.

Moab will no longer be a nation, for it has boasted against the Lord .

"Those who flee in terror will fall into a trap, and those who escape the trap will step into a snare. I will see to it that you do not get away, for the time of your judgment has come," says the Lord .

"The people flee as far as Heshbon but are unable to go on. For a fire comes from Heshbon, King Sihon's ancient home, to devour the entire land with all its rebellious people.

"Cry out, O Heshbon, for the town of Ai is destroyed. Weep, O people of Rabbah! Put on your clothes of mourning. Weep and wail, hiding in the hedges, for your god Molech, with his priests and officials, will be hauled off to distant lands.

Turn and flee! Hide in deep caves, you people of Dedan! For when I bring disaster on Edom, I will punish you, too!

Those who harvest grapes always leave a few for the poor. If thieves came at night, they would not take everything.

But I will protect the orphans who remain among you. Your widows, too, can depend on me for help."

For I have sworn by my own name," says the Lord , "that Bozrah will become an object of horror and a heap of ruins; it will be mocked and cursed. All its towns and villages will be desolate forever."

I have heard a message from the Lord that an ambassador was sent to the nations to say, "Form a coalition against Edom, and prepare for battle!"