A Prophecy of Moab's Devastation
1Sendye the lambto the rulerof the landfrom Selato the wilderness,unto the mountof the daughterof Zion.
2For it shall be, [that], as a wanderingbirdcast outof the nest,[so] the daughtersof Moabshall be at the fordsof Arnon.
3Takecounsel,executejudgment;makethy shadowas the nightin the midstof the noonday;hidethe outcasts;bewraynot him that wandereth.
4Let mine outcastsdwellwith thee, Moab;bethou a covertto them from the faceof the spoiler:for the extortioneris at an end,the spoilerceaseth,the oppressorsare consumedout of the land.
5And in mercyshall the thronebe established:and he shall situpon it in truthin the tabernacleof David,judging,and seekingjudgment,and hastingrighteousness.
6We have heardof the prideof Moab;[he is] veryproud:[even] of his haughtiness,and his pride,and his wrath:[but] his lies[shall] not [be] so.
7Therefore shall Moabhowlfor Moab,every one shall howl:for the foundationsof Kirharesethshall ye mourn;surely [they are] stricken.
8For the fieldsof Heshbonlanguish,[and] the vineof Sibmah:the lordsof the heathenhave broken downthe principal plantsthereof, they are come[even] unto Jazer,they wandered[through] the wilderness:her branchesare stretched out,they are gone overthe sea.
9Therefore I will bewailwith the weepingof Jazerthe vineof Sibmah:I will waterthee with my tears,O Heshbon,and Elealeh:for the shoutingfor thy summer fruitsand for thy harvestis fallen.
10And gladnessis taken away,and joyout of the plentiful field;and in the vineyardsthere shall be no singing,neither shall there be shouting:the treadersshall tread outno winein [their] presses;I have made [their vintage] shoutingto cease.
11Wherefore my bowelsshall soundlike an harpfor Moab,and mine inward partsfor Kirharesh.
12And it shall come to pass, when it is seenthat Moabis wearyon the high place,that he shall cometo his sanctuaryto pray;but he shall not prevail.
13This [is] the wordthat the LORDhath spokenconcerning Moabsince that time.14But now the LORDhath spoken,saying,Within threeyears,as the yearsof an hireling,and the gloryof Moabshall be contemned,with all that greatmultitude;and the remnant[shall be] verysmall[and] feeble.
