Prophecy against Edom
7 Concerning Edom, the LORD of heavenly forces proclaims: Is wisdom no longer in Teman? Has good sense vanished from the perceptive? Are they no longer wise?
8
Turn, flee, and run for cover, you inhabitants of Dedan. I'm bringing disaster on Esau: its day of reckoning.
9
If workers would come to you to pick grapes, they would at least leave a few on the vine. If thieves would come in the night, they would take only what they needed.
10
But me? I will strip Esau bare. I will expose his hiding places, and he will find no place to take cover. His offspring, family, and acquaintances will perish, and there will be no one left to say,
11
"Leave me your orphans, and I'll look after them; trust your widows into my care."
12
The LORD proclaims: If the innocent must drink the cup, why do you expect to escape punishment? You won't! You will drink it!
13
I myself swear, declares the LORD, that Bozrah will become an object of horror and scorn, a wasteland and a curse. And all of its towns will lie in ruins forever.
14
I have heard a report from the LORD that a messenger is sent among the nations: Join forces and come against her; prepare for war!
15
I'm about to cut you down to size before the nations; you will be scorned by everyone.
16
The terror you have inflicted on others has deceived you, as has your own pride. Though you live in a fortress and occupy the high ground; though you nest on high like the eagles, I will bring you down, declares the LORD.
17
Then Edom will become a wasteland. All who pass by will be shocked by its injuries.
18
It will be like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and their surrounding towns, says the LORD. No one will live there; no human will dwell in it.
19
Like a lion coming up from the jungle of the Jordan to a well-watered meadow, so I will suddenly chase down Edom and single out its choicest of rams. Who is like me? Who can direct me? What shepherd can withstand me?
20
Therefore, listen to the counsel that the LORD has for Edom and the plans he's devised against the people of Teman: The little ones of the flock will be dragged off, as their pasture watches in utter disbelief.
21
The earth quakes as the Edomites go down; their screams echo as far as the Reed Sea.
22
Look! One who mounts up and soars like an eagle, who swoops down and spreads his wings over Bozrah. On that day, the heart of every soldier from Edom will be like that of a woman in the throes of labor.