48 This message was given concerning Moab. This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: the fortress will be humiliated and broken down. 2 No one will ever brag about Moab again, the sword will follow you there. 3 Listen to the cries from Horonaim, cries of devastation and great destruction. 4 All Moab is destroyed. Her little ones will cry out. 5 Her refugees weep bitterly, descending the slope to Horonaim. 6 Flee for your lives! Hide in the wilderness! 7 Because you have trusted in your wealth and skill, will be hauled off to distant lands! 8 “All the towns will be destroyed, for the LORD has spoken. 9 Oh, that Moab had wings with no one living in them. 10 Cursed are those who refuse to do the LORD’s work, who hold back their swords from shedding blood! 11 “From his earliest history, Moab has lived in peace, and he is now fragrant and smooth. 12 But the time is coming soon,” says the LORD, then shatter the jar! 13 At last Moab will be ashamed of his idol Chemosh, as the people of Israel were ashamed of their gold calf at Bethel. 14 “You used to boast, ‘We are heroes, mighty men of war.’ 15 But now Moab and his towns will be destroyed. says the King, whose name is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. 16 “Destruction is coming fast for Moab; calamity threatens ominously. 17 You friends of Moab, how the beautiful staff is shattered! 18 “Come down from your glory They will tear down all your towers. 19 You people of Aroer, ‘What has happened there?’ 20 “And the reply comes back, Moab has been destroyed!’ 21 Judgment has been poured out on the towns of the plateau— on Holon and Jahaz and Mephaath, 22 on Dibon and Nebo and Beth-diblathaim, 23 on Kiriathaim and Beth-gamul and Beth-meon, 24 on 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, ridiculed by all. 27 Did you not ridicule the people of Israel? that you should despise them as you do? 28 “You people of Moab, in the clefts of the rocks. 29 We have all heard of the pride of Moab, his arrogance, and his haughty heart. 30 I know about his insolence,” as empty as his deeds. 31 So now I wail for Moab; My heart is broken for the men of Kir-hareseth. 32 “You people of Sibmah, rich in vineyards, He has harvested your grapes and summer fruits. 33 Joy and gladness are gone from fruitful Moab. 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. 36 My heart moans like a flute for Moab and Kir-hareseth, for all their wealth has disappeared. 37 The people shave their heads and beards in mourning. They slash their hands and put on clothes made of burlap. 38 There is crying and sorrow in every Moabite home and on every street. For I have smashed Moab like an old, unwanted jar. 39 How 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.” 40 This is what the LORD says: spreading his wings over Moab. 41 Its cities will fall, like a woman in labor. 42 Moab will no longer be a nation, for it has boasted against the LORD. 43 “Terror and traps and snares will be your lot, O Moab,” says the LORD. 44 “Those who flee in terror will fall into a trap, says the LORD. 45 “The people flee as far as Heshbon with all its rebellious people. 46 “What sorrow awaits you, O people of Moab! have been taken away as captives. 47 But I will restore the fortunes of Moab This is the end of Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning Moab.