1 This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says about Moab:
2 People will no longer praise Moab.
3 People will cry out from Horonaim, “Looting and great destruction!”
4 Moab will be broken.
5 People go up the pass of Luhith, crying bitterly as they go.
6 “Run away! Run for your lives!
7 Since you trust the things you do and your treasures,
8 The destroyer will come to every city, and no city will escape.
9 Put salt on Moab.
10 Cursed are those who neglect doing the Lord’s work.
11 “Moab has lived securely ever since it was young.
12 That is why the days are coming,” declares the Lord,
13 Then Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh
14 “How can you say, ‘We are soldiers and warriors’?
15 The enemy will attack Moab and destroy its cities.
16 “Moab’s destruction is coming near; disaster is coming quickly.
17 Mourn over it, all of its neighbors and everyone who knows its fame.
18 “People of Dibon, come down from your place of honor
19 Stand by the road in Aroer, and watch.
20 They will answer, ‘Moab is disgraced; it is defeated.
21 “Judgment has come to all the cities on the plain: to Holon, Jahzah, Mephaath,
22 Dibon, Nebo, Beth Diblathaim,
23 Kiriathaim, Beth Gamul, Beth Meon,
24 Kerioth, Bozrah, and on all the cities of Moab, far and near.
25 “Moab’s horn is cut off, and its arm is broken,”
26 “Get the people of Moab drunk; they have spoken against the Lord.
27 People of Moab, didn’t you laugh at the people of Israel?
28 People of Moab, abandon your cities.
29 “We have heard about the arrogance of Moab’s people.
30 I know how arrogant they are,” declares the Lord,
31 That is why I will weep for Moab and cry for all of Moab.
32 I will cry for you as Jazer cries.
33 Joy and gladness have disappeared from the orchards and fields of Moab.
34 “The cry will be heard from Heshbon to Elealeh and Jahaz. It will be heard from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath Shelishiyah. Even the streams of Nimrim will dry up.
35 I will stop those in Moab who come to worship sites, those who bring offerings to their gods,” declares the Lord.
36 “That is why I moan for Moab like a flute. I sound like a flute for the people of Kir Hareseth. The wealth they gained has disappeared.
37 “Every head is shaved, and every beard is cut off. There are gashes on every hand and sackcloth on every waist.
38 People in Moab will mourn on every rooftop and in every street. There will be mourning everywhere, because I will break Moab like a jar that no one wants,” declares the Lord.
39 “They will cry, ‘Look how Moab is defeated! Moab turns away in shame!’ Moab has become something ridiculed and something held in contempt by everyone around it.
40 “This is what the Lord says:
41 The cities will be taken, and the fortified places will be captured.
42 Moab will be destroyed as a nation,
43 Disasters, pits, and traps are in store for those who live in Moab,”
44 “Whoever flees from a disaster will fall into a pit.
45 “Those who flee will stand exhausted in the shadow of Heshbon.
46 How horrible it will be for you, Moab.
47 But I will restore Moab in the last days,” declares the Lord.