A Message About Damascus
23 Concerning Damascus: “Hamath and Arpad are dismayed, for they have heard bad news. They are disheartened, troubled like the restless sea.
24
Damascus has become feeble, she has turned to flee and panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her, pain like that of a woman in labor.
25
Why has the city of renown not been abandoned, the town in which I delight?
26
Surely, her young men will fall in the streets; all her soldiers will be silenced in that day,” declares the LORD Almighty.
27
“I will set fire to the walls of Damascus; it will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad.”
A Message About Kedar and Hazor
28 Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked: This is what the LORD says: “Arise, and attack Kedar and destroy the people of the East.
29
Their tents and their flocks will be taken; their shelters will be carried off with all their goods and camels. People will shout to them, ‘Terror on every side!’
30
“Flee quickly away! Stay in deep caves, you who live in Hazor,” declares the LORD. “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has plotted against you; he has devised a plan against you.
31
“Arise and attack a nation at ease, which lives in confidence,” declares the LORD, “a nation that has neither gates nor bars; its people live far from danger.
32
Their camels will become plunder, and their large herds will be spoils of war. I will scatter to the winds those who are in distant placesand will bring disaster on them from every side,” declares the LORD.
33
“Hazor will become a haunt of jackals, a desolate place forever. No one will live there; no people will dwell in it.”