Jeremiah 48:1-32 ▼

1 About Moab, this is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Woe to Nebo, because it is about to be destroyed; Kiriathaim will be put to shame; it will be taken captive. The fortress will be put to shame and dismayed!

2 There is no longer praise for Moab; they plan harm against her in Heshbon: Come, let’s cut her off from nationhood. Also, Madmen, you will be silenced; the sword will follow you.

3 A voice cries out from Horonaim, “devastation and a crushing blow! ”

4 Moab will be shattered; her little ones will cry out.

5 For on the Ascent to Luhith they will be weeping continually, and on the descent to Horonaim will be heard cries of distress over the destruction:

6 Flee! Save your lives! Be like a juniper bush in the wilderness.

7 Because you trust in your works and treasures, you will be captured also. Chemosh will go into exile with his priests and officials.

8 The destroyer will move against every town; not one town will escape. The valley will perish, and the plain will be annihilated, as the LORD has said.

9 Make Moab a salt marsh, for she will run away; her towns will become a desolation, without inhabitant.

10 The one who does the LORD’s business deceitfully is cursed, and the one who withholds his sword from bloodshed is cursed.

11 Moab has been left quiet since his youth, settled like wine on its dregs. He hasn’t been poured from one container to another or gone into exile. So his taste has remained the same, and his aroma hasn’t changed.

12 Therefore look, the days are coming — this is the LORD’s declaration — when I will send pourers to him, who will pour him out. They will empty his containers and smash his jars.

13 Moab will be put to shame because of Chemosh, just as the house of Israel was put to shame because of Bethel that they trusted in.

14 How can you say, “We are warriors — valiant men for battle”?

15 The destroyer of Moab and its towns has come up, and the best of its young men have gone down to slaughter. This is the King’s declaration; the LORD of Armies is his name.

16 Moab’s calamity is near at hand; his disaster is rushing swiftly.

17 Mourn for him, all you surrounding nations, everyone who knows his name. Say, “How the mighty scepter is shattered, the glorious staff! ”

18 Come down from glory; sit on parched ground, resident of the daughter of Dibon, for the destroyer of Moab has come against you; he has destroyed your fortresses.

19 Stand by the highway and watch, resident of Aroer! Ask him who is fleeing or her who is escaping, “What happened? ”

20 Moab is put to shame, indeed dismayed. Wail and cry out! Declare by the Arnon that Moab is destroyed.

21 “Judgment has come to the land of the plateau —to Holon, Jahzah, Mephaath,

22 Dibon, Nebo, Beth-diblathaim,

23 Kiriathaim, Beth-gamul, Beth-meon,

24 Kerioth, Bozrah, and all the towns of the land of Moab, those far and near.

25 Moab’s horn is chopped off; his arm is shattered.” This is the LORD’s declaration.

26 “Make him drunk, because he has exalted himself against the LORD. Moab will wallow in his own vomit, and he will also become a laughingstock.

27 Wasn’t Israel a laughingstock to you? Was he ever found among thieves? For whenever you speak of him you shake your head.”

28 Abandon the towns! Live in the cliffs, residents of Moab! Be like a dove that nests inside the mouth of a cave.

29 We have heard of Moab’s pride, great pride, indeed — his insolence, arrogance, pride, and haughty heart.

30 I know his outburst. This is the LORD’s declaration. It is empty. His boast is empty.

31 Therefore, I will wail over Moab. I will cry out for Moab, all of it; he will moan for the men of Kir-heres.

32 I will weep for you, vine of Sibmah, with more than the weeping for Jazer. Your tendrils have extended to the sea; they have reached to the sea and to Jazer. The destroyer has fallen on your summer fruit and grape harvest.