Isaiah 16

Moab Seeks Help from Zion

1 Send lambs as tribute to the ruler of the land, from Sela across the desert to the mountain of the Daughter of Zion.

2 Like birds driven from a nest, the women of Moab stand at the fords of the Arnon River, homeless and scattered.

3 They say, “Give us advice, make a plan! Cover us in your shadow like the night, hide the refugees, do not turn them away.”

4 “Let the outcasts of Moab live among you; be their shelter from the destroyer.” Because when the oppressor is gone, the destruction will end, and those who trample others will be wiped out from the land.

5 Then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and someone will sit on it in faithfulness, from the house of David, judging with justice and rushing to do what is right.

Moab’s Pride and Downfall

6 We have heard about Moab’s pride, how arrogant they are. They talk big, full of themselves, but all their boasting means nothing.

7 So Moab will cry out; everyone in Moab will mourn. They will grieve for Kir-hareseth, completely broken.

8 The fields of Heshbon and the vines of Sibmah are dying. The nations used to crush those vines, they stretched as far as Jazer and the desert, spreading out to the sea.

9 So I weep with Jazer for the vines of Sibmah. Heshbon and Elealeh, my tears fall for you, because the shouting over your harvest and fruit has stopped.

10 Joy and gladness are gone from the orchards. No singing, no laughter in the vineyards. No one’s treading grapes in the winepress anymore, the joyful noise is silent.

11 My heart groans for Moab like a harp, and my soul aches for Kir-hareseth.

12 When Moab goes to their shrines to pray, it will not work, their gods will not hear them.

The Prophecy Confirmed

13 This is the message the Lord spoke about Moab long ago.

14 But now the Lord says, “In three years, as exact as a hired worker counts his days, Moab’s glory will be gone, and its great crowd will shrink down small. Only a few weak survivors will be left.”