8
You people living in the town of Dedan, run away and hide in deep caves, because I will bring disaster on the people of Esau. It is time for me to punish them.
9
If workers came and picked the grapes from your vines, they would leave a few grapes behind. If robbers came at night, they would steal only enough for themselves.
10
But I will strip Edom bare. I will find all their hiding places, so they will not be able to hide from me. The children, relatives, and neighbors will die, and Edom will be no more.
11
Leave the orphans, and I will take care of them. Your widows also can trust in me."
12
This is what the Lord says: "Some people did not deserve to be punished, but they had to drink from the cup of suffering anyway. People of Edom, you deserve to be punished, so you will not escape punishment. You must certainly drink from the cup of suffering."
13
The Lord says, "I swear by my own name that the city of Bozrah will become a pile of ruins! People will be shocked by what happened there. They will insult that city and speak evil of it. And all the towns around it will become ruins forever."
14
I have heard a message from the Lord. A messenger has been sent among the nations, saying, "Gather your armies to attack it! Get ready for battle!"
15
"Soon I will make you the smallest of nations, and you will be greatly hated by everyone.
16
Edom, you frightened other nations, but your pride has fooled you. You live in the hollow places of the cliff and control the high places of the hills. Even if you build your home as high as an eagle's nest, I will bring you down from there," says the Lord.
17
"Edom will be destroyed. People who pass by will be shocked to see the destroyed cities, and they will be amazed at all her injuries.
18
Edom will be destroyed like the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and the towns around them," says the Lord. "No one will live there! No one will stay in Edom."