1This is what the LORD says concerning the Ammonites: “Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir? Why, then, has Molek (Milcom, the king of the Ammonites) seized Gad, and his people dwell in its cities? 2But the days are coming”, says the LORD, “That I will sound a battle cry against Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall become a heap of ruins, and its surrounding villages shall be set on fire. Then shall Israel drive out those who drove her out.” says the LORD. 3“Wail, Heshbon, for Ai is ruined; cry, you people of Rabbah. Put on sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro within its walls; for King Molek shall go into captivity, along with his priests and officials. 4Why do you boast of your valleys, your flowing and fruitful valleys, O unfaithful daughter, who trusted in your wealth, and said, ‘Who would dare attack me?’ 5I will bring a terror upon you,” says the LORD God of heaven’s armies, “From all Those who are around you shall chase you; and none shall gather or help your fugitives. 6And yet, afterward, I will restore the Ammonites from their captivity”, says the LORD.

7This is what the LORD of hosts says concerning Edom: “Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Is there no one left to give her good counsel? Have the prudent vanished? 8Turn and run; hide deep in caves, inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring disaster upon Esau when I punish him. 9If grape-gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? If thieves came at night, would they not only steal until they had enough? 10But I will strip Edom, the land of Esau, bare. I will uncover its hiding places, and its people shall not be able to conceal themselves. Its children, brothers, and neighbors will perish; and Edom, itself, will be no more. 11But I will protect its orphans and widows – they can trust and depend upon Me.”

12For thus says the LORD: “If the innocent must suffer, how much more must you! You will not go unpunished! You must drink this cup of judgment! 13For I have sworn by Myself”, says the LORD, “That Bozrah (one of its chief cities) shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all its villages shall be perpetual ruins.”

14I have heard a message from the LORD, and an envoy was sent to the nations to say, “Form a coalition to attack Edom.” 15Thus says the LORD: “I will cut you down to size; and you shall be despised among men and nations. 16You have deceived yourself by the fear you inspire in others and by your own pride. You live in a rock fortress and control the mountain heights. But even if you make your nest among the highest peaks, I will bring you crashing down. 17Edom shall become a desolation; everyone that passes by it shall be appalled and shall gasp at all its plagues. 18As Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring cities were overthrown.”, says the LORD, “No one shall live in Edom, no people shall inhabit it. 19I will suddenly appear like a lioness out of the thickets of the Jordan, raiding the home of the strong, and chasing Edom’s occupants from her. I will appoint whomever I may choose for this. For who is like Me? And who will challenge, or dictate the time to Me? Who is he that will defy Me? 20Therefore, hear the plans that the LORD has made against Edom, and His intentions against the inhabitants of Teman: ‘The least of the flock shall be dragged off; He shall make their pasture a desolation’. 21The earth will tremble at the noise of their fall, the noise of it will resound to the Red Sea. 22Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down, spreading its wings over Bozrah. In that day, the hearts of Edom’s warriors will be like a woman in labor.”

23God’s message concerning Damascus: “Hamath and Arpad are appalled; for they have heard the bad news. They are disheartened; troubled like a stormy sea that cannot be calmed. 24Damascus has become too feeble in her panic to flee; fear; anguish and sorrows have overwhelmed her like a woman in labor. 25That is why the city of renown not been abandoned – that beautiful city of my (Jeremiah’s) joy! 26Surely, her young men, and all her soldiers shall fall and be killed in her streets on that day”, says the LORD of hosts. 27“I will set fire to the walls of Damascus, and it shall consume the fortresses of Ben-hadad.”

28Concerning Kedar, and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon, attacked, thus says the LORD: “Go up to attack Kedar, and destroy the warriors from the east. 29Their tents, flocks; property, and camels shall be taken; and people shall shout at them, ‘Danger is on all sides. 30Flee! Run far away, and hide deep in caves, you inhabitants of Hazor. For Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon, has devised a strategy to conquer you. 31Go and attack that complacent, wealthy nation that is isolated and lives without concern or provision for their defense. 32Their camels and large herds of cattle shall be yours for the taking; and I will scatter to the winds those who are in the outermost places; and I will bring disaster upon them from all sides”, says the LORD. 33“And Hazor shall become a place of desolation forever, where jackals live, but not any people.”

34This word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, the prophet, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, regarding Elam: 35“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Watch, I will break the bow (defeat the archers) of Elam, their main weapon and source of strength. 36I will bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven upon Elam, and will scatter its people to the four winds; and there shall be no nation that the fugitives of Elam can flee to. 37For I will cause Elam to run from the enemies who seek their life; and in My fierce anger, I will bring disaster upon her people. I will send the sword in pursuit of them, until I have made an end of them. 38I will set My throne in Elam, and destroy her king and her officials. 39But yet, in the latter days, I will again restore the exiles of Elam’, says the LORD.”