Jeremiah 48:24-41

24on Kerioth and Bozrah— all the towns of Moab, far and near.

25“The strength of Moab has ended. His arm has been broken,” says the Lord.

26“Let him stagger and fall like a drunkard, for he has rebelled against the Lord. Moab will wallow in his own vomit, ridiculed by all.

27Did you not ridicule the people of Israel? Were they caught in the company of thieves that you should despise them as you do?

28“You people of Moab, flee from your towns and live in the caves. Hide like doves that nest in the clefts of the rocks.

29We have all heard of the pride of Moab, for his pride is very great. We know of his lofty pride, his arrogance, and his haughty heart.

30I know about his insolence,” says the Lord, “but his boasts are empty— as empty as his deeds.

31So now I wail for Moab; yes, I will mourn for Moab. My heart is broken for the men of Kir-hareseth.

32“You people of Sibmah, rich in vineyards, I will weep for you even more than I did for Jazer. Your spreading vines once reached as far as the Dead Sea, but the destroyer has stripped you bare! He has harvested your grapes and summer fruits.

33Joy and gladness are gone from fruitful Moab. The presses yield no wine. No one treads the grapes with shouts of joy. There is shouting, yes, but not of joy.

34“Instead, their awful cries of terror can be heard from Heshbon clear across to Elealeh and Jahaz; from Zoar all the way to Horonaim and Eglath-shelishiyah. Even the waters of Nimrim are dried up now.

35“I will put an end to Moab,” says the Lord, “for the people offer sacrifices at the pagan shrines and burn incense to their false gods.

36My heart moans like a flute for Moab and Kir-hareseth, for all their wealth has disappeared.

37The people shave their heads and beards in mourning. They slash their hands and put on clothes made of burlap.

38There is crying and sorrow in every Moabite home and on every street. For I have smashed Moab like an old, unwanted jar.

39How it is shattered! Hear the wailing! See the shame of Moab! It has become an object of ridicule, an example of ruin to all its neighbors.”

40This is what the Lord says: “Look! The enemy swoops down like an eagle, spreading his wings over Moab.

41Its cities will fall, and its strongholds will be seized. Even the mightiest warriors will be in anguish like a woman in labor.