Indeed, the cries of distress echo throughout Moabite territory; their wailing can be heard in Eglaim and Beer Elim.

So Moab wails over its demise – they all wail! Completely devastated, they moan about what has happened to the raisin cakes of Kir Hareseth.

At that time Israel will be the third member of the group, along with Egypt and Assyria, and will be a recipient of blessing in the earth.

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

unless they became my subjects and made peace with me; let them make peace with me.

Ariel is as good as dead – Ariel, the town David besieged! Keep observing your annual rituals, celebrate your festivals on schedule.

No resident of Zion will say, “I am ill”; the people who live there will have their sin forgiven.

“You, my servant Israel, Jacob whom I have chosen, offspring of Abraham my friend,

Who among you will pay attention to this? Who will listen attentively in the future?

Remind me of what happened! Let’s debate! You, prove to me that you are right!

So I defiled your holy princes, and handed Jacob over to destruction, and subjected Israel to humiliating abuse.”

Together they bend low and kneel down; they are unable to rescue the images; they themselves head off into captivity.

Can spoils be taken from a warrior, or captives be rescued from a conqueror?

who led them through the deep water? Like a horse running on flat land they did not stumble.

So the sovereign master was not pleased with their young men, he took no pity on their orphans and widows; for the whole nation was godless and did wicked things, every mouth was speaking disgraceful words. Despite all this, his anger does not subside, and his hand is ready to strike again.

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.’”

At that time men will throw their silver and gold idols, which they made for themselves to worship, into the caves where rodents and bats live,

Those remaining in Zion, those left in Jerusalem, will be called “holy,” all in Jerusalem who are destined to live.

I replied, “How long, sovereign master?” He said, “Until cities are in ruins and unpopulated, and houses are uninhabited, and the land is ruined and devastated,

“Ask for a confirming sign from the Lord your God. You can even ask for something miraculous.”