52 lines
2.2 KiB
Markdown
52 lines
2.2 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 16
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1 Send lambs from Sela as tribute
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to the ruler of the land.
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Send them through the desert
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to the mountain of beautiful Zion.
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2 The women of Moab are left like homeless birds
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at the shallow crossings of the Arnon River.
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3 “Help us,” they cry.
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“Defend us against our enemies.
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Protect us from their relentless attack.
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Do not betray us now that we have escaped.
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4 Let our refugees stay among you.
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Hide them from our enemies until the terror is past.”
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When oppression and destruction have ended
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and enemy raiders have disappeared,
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5 then God will establish one of David’s descendants as king.
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He will rule with mercy and truth.
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He will always do what is just
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and be eager to do what is right.
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6 We have heard about proud Moab—
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about its pride and arrogance and rage.
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But all that boasting has disappeared.
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7 The entire land of Moab weeps.
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Yes, everyone in Moab mourns
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for the cakes of raisins from Kir-hareseth.
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They are all gone now.
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8 The farms of Heshbon are abandoned;
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the vineyards at Sibmah are deserted.
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The rulers of the nations have broken down Moab—
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that beautiful grapevine.
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Its tendrils spread north as far as the town of Jazer
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and trailed eastward into the wilderness.
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Its shoots reached so far west
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that they crossed over the Dead Sea.
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9 So now I weep for Jazer and the vineyards of Sibmah;
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my tears will flow for Heshbon and Elealeh.
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There are no more shouts of joy
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over your summer fruits and harvest.
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10 Gone now is the gladness,
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gone the joy of harvest.
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There will be no singing in the vineyards,
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no more happy shouts,
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no treading of grapes in the winepresses.
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I have ended all their harvest joys.
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11 My heart’s cry for Moab is like a lament on a harp.
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I am filled with anguish for Kir-hareseth.
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12 The people of Moab will worship at their pagan shrines,
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but it will do them no good.
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They will cry to the gods in their temples,
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but no one will be able to save them.
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13 The Lord has already said these things about Moab in the past.
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14 But now the Lord says, “Within three years, counting each day, the glory of Moab will be ended. From its great population, only a feeble few will be left alive.” |