[1] This is a message about Moab. The cities of Ar and Kir are destroyed in a single night, and silence covers the land of Moab. [2] The people of Dibon climb the hill to weep at the shrine. The people of Moab wail in grief over the cities of Nebo and Medeba; they have shaved their heads and their beards in grief. [3] The people in the streets are dressed in sackcloth; in the city squares and on the rooftops people mourn and cry. [4] The people of Heshbon and Elealeh cry out, and their cry can be heard as far away as Jahaz. Even the soldiers tremble; their courage is gone. [5] My heart cries out for Moab! The people have fled to the town of Zoar, and to Eglath Shelishiyah. Some climb the road to Luhith, weeping as they go; some escape to Horonaim, grieving loudly. [6] Nimrim Brook is dry, the grass beside it has withered, and nothing green is left. [7] The people go across the Valley of Willows, trying to escape with all their possessions. [8] Everywhere at Moab's borders the sound of crying is heard. It is heard at the towns of Eglaim and Beerelim. [9] At the town of Dibon the river is red with blood, and God has something even worse in store for the people there. Yes, there will be a bloody slaughter of everyone left in Moab.
