But he does not agree with this, his mind does not reason this way, for his goal is to destroy, and to eliminate many nations.

So a treaty curse devours the earth; its inhabitants pay for their guilt. This is why the inhabitants of the earth disappear, and are reduced to just a handful of people.

You say, ‘No, we will flee on horses,’ so you will indeed flee. You say, ‘We will ride on fast horses,’ so your pursuers will be fast.

But the sovereign Lord helps me, so I am not humiliated. For that reason I am steadfastly resolved; I know I will not be put to shame.

As I have done to Samaria and its idols, so I will do to Jerusalem and its idols.”

For this reason all hands hang limp, every human heart loses its courage.

For this reason what they have made and stored up, they carry over the Stream of the Poplars.

We have heard about Moab’s pride, their great arrogance, their boasting, pride, and excess. But their boastful claims are empty!

So my heart constantly sighs for Moab, like the strumming of a harp, my inner being sighs for Kir Hareseth.

So in the east extol the Lord, along the seacoasts extol the fame of the Lord God of Israel.

So a strong nation will extol you; the towns of powerful nations will fear you.

As when a pregnant woman gets ready to deliver and strains and cries out because of her labor pains, so were we because of you, O Lord.

Just as birds hover over a nest, so the Lord who commands armies will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it; as he passes over he will rescue it.

I cry out until morning; like a lion he shatters all my bones; you turn day into night and end my life.

They will disappoint you, those you have so faithfully dealt with since your youth. Each strays off in his own direction, leaving no one to rescue you.”

(just as many were horrified by the sight of you) he was so disfigured he no longer looked like a man;

for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans.

As a mother consoles a child, so I will console you, and you will be consoled over Jerusalem.”

I will reestablish honest judges as in former times, wise advisers as in earlier days. Then you will be called, ‘The Just City, Faithful Town.’”

So I will shake the heavens, and the earth will shake loose from its foundation, because of the fury of the Lord who commands armies, in the day he vents his raging anger.