Jeremiah 49:23-39 ▼

23 Concerning Damascus (well-watered land): “Hamath (fortress) and Arpad (I shall be supported) are put to shame, for they have heard a bad report; they are agitated like the sea \on the sea/; their anxiety cannot be calmed.

24 Damascus (well-watered land) has become feeble; she has turned to flee. Panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her like a woman in labor.

25 How is the city of praise not forsaken, the town that brings Me joy?

26 For her young men will fall in the streets, and all her warriors will be silenced in that day,” declares the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts.

27 “I will set fire to the walls of Damascus (well-watered land); it will consume the fortresses of Ben-hadad (son of Hadad).”

28 Concerning Kedar (dark) and the kingdoms of Hazor (castle), which Nebuchadnezzar (may Nebo protect the crown) king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) defeated, this is what the LORD {YHWH} says: “Rise up, advance against Kedar, and destroy the people of the east!

29 They will take their tents and flocks, their tent curtains and all their goods. They will take their camels for themselves. They will shout to them: ‘Terror is on every side!’

30 Run! Escape quickly! Lie low, O residents of Hazor (castle),” declares the LORD {YHWH}, “for Nebuchadnezzar (may Nebo protect the crown) king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) has drawn up a plan against you⁺; he has devised a strategy against you⁺.

31 Rise up, advance against a nation at ease, one that dwells securely,” declares the LORD {YHWH}. “They have no gates or bars; they live alone.

32 Their camels will become plunder, and their large herds will be spoil. I will scatter to the wind {ruach} in every direction those who shave their temples; I will bring calamity on them from all sides,” declares the LORD {YHWH}.

33 “Hazor (castle) will become a haunt for jackals (serpents), a desolation forever. No one will dwell there; no man will abide there.”

34 This is the word of the LORD {YHWH} that came to Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed) the prophet concerning Elam (eternity) at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah (YHWH is righteous) king of Judah (praised).

35 This is what the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts says: “Behold, I will shatter Elam’s (eternity) bow, the mainstay of their might.

36 I will bring the four winds {ruachowt} against Elam (eternity) from the four corners of the heavens, and I will scatter them to all these winds. There will not be a nation to which Elam’s exiles will not go.

37 So I will shatter Elam (eternity) before their foes, before those who seek their lives. I will bring disaster upon them, even My fierce anger,” declares the LORD {YHWH}. “I will send out the sword after them until I finish them off.

38 I will set My throne in Elam (eternity), and destroy its king and officials,” declares the LORD {YHWH}.

39 “Yet in the last days, I will restore Elam (eternity) from captivity (restore the fortunes of Elam), declares the LORD {YHWH}.