19
"Like a lion coming up from the thick bushes near the Jordan River to attack a strong pen for sheep, I will suddenly chase Edom from its land. Who is the one I have chosen to do this? There is no one like me, no one who can take me to court. None of their leaders can stand up against me."
20
So listen to what the Lord has planned to do against Edom. Listen to what he has decided to do to the people in the town of Teman. He will surely drag away the young ones of Edom. Their hometowns will surely be shocked at what happens to them.
21
At the sound of Edom's fall, the earth will shake. Their cry will be heard all the way to the Red Sea.
22
The Lord is like an eagle swooping down and spreading its wings over the city of Bozrah. very frightened, like a woman having a baby.
23
This message is to the city of Damascus: "The towns of Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, because they have heard bad news. They are discouraged. They are troubled like the tossing sea.
24
The city of Damascus has become weak. The people want to run away; they are ready to panic. The people feel pain and suffering, like a woman giving birth to a baby.
25
Damascus was a city of my joy. Why have the people not left that famous city yet?
26
Surely the young men will die in the city squares, and all her soldiers will be killed at that time," says the Lord All-Powerful.
27
"I will set fire to the walls of Damascus, and it will completely burn the strong cities of King Ben-Hadad."
28
This message is to the tribe of Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated. This is what the Lord says: "Go and attack the people of Kedar, and destroy the people of the East.
29
Their tents and flocks will be taken away. Their belongings will be carried off -- their tents, all their goods, and their camels. Men will shout to them, 'Terror on every side!'