Jeremiah 48:1-23

1This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says about Moab: How horrible it will be for Nebo; it will be destroyed. Kiriathaim will be put to shame; it will be captured. Its stronghold will be put to shame and torn down.

2People will no longer praise Moab. The people in Heshbon will plan Moab’s destruction. “Let’s destroy that nation!” You will be silenced, city of Madmen. Death will come after you.

3People will cry out from Horonaim, “Looting and great destruction!”

4Moab will be broken. Its little ones will cry out.

5People go up the pass of Luhith, crying bitterly as they go. On the road down to Horonaim they have heard the distressful cry of destruction.

6“Run away! Run for your lives! Run like a wild donkey in the desert.”

7Since you trust the things you do and your treasures, you will be captured. Chemosh will go into captivity with all its priests and officials.

8The destroyer will come to every city, and no city will escape. The valley will be destroyed, and the plain will be laid waste as the Lord has threatened.

9Put salt on Moab. It will be destroyed. Its cities will become deserted ruins.

10Cursed are those who neglect doing the Lord’s work. Cursed are those who keep their swords from killing.

11“Moab has lived securely ever since it was young. Its people are like wine left to settle in a jar. They aren’t poured from one jar to another. They haven’t gone into captivity. That is why its flavor has remained the same, and its aroma hasn’t changed.

12That is why the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will send people to pour Moab out of its jars and to smash its pitchers.

13Then Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh as the nation of Israel was ashamed when it trusted Bethel.

14“How can you say, ‘We are soldiers and warriors’?

15The enemy will attack Moab and destroy its cities. Its finest young men will be slaughtered,” declares the king, whose name is the Lord of Armies.

16“Moab’s destruction is coming near; disaster is coming quickly.

17Mourn over it, all of its neighbors and everyone who knows its fame. Say, ‘Look at the strong staff, the beautiful rod, that is broken!’

18“People of Dibon, come down from your place of honor and sit on the dry ground. The destroyers of Moab will attack you. They will destroy your fortresses.

19Stand by the road in Aroer, and watch. Ask those who are fleeing and those who are escaping what is happening.

20They will answer, ‘Moab is disgraced; it is defeated. Shout loudly, and cry. Tell the news in Arnon that Moab is destroyed.’

21“Judgment has come to all the cities on the plain: to Holon, Jahzah, Mephaath,

22Dibon, Nebo, Beth Diblathaim,

23Kiriathaim, Beth Gamul, Beth Meon,