Isaiah 16

Chapter 16

1 Send lambs from Sela as tribute
to the ruler of the land.
Send them through the desert
to the mountain of beautiful Zion.2 The women of Moab are left like homeless birds
at the shallow crossings of the Arnon River.3 “Help us,” they cry.
“Defend us against our enemies.
Protect us from their relentless attack.
Do not betray us now that we have escaped.4 Let our refugees stay among you.
Hide them from our enemies until the terror is past.”
When oppression and destruction have ended
and enemy raiders have disappeared,5 then God will establish one of David’s descendants as king.
He will rule with mercy and truth.
He will always do what is just
and be eager to do what is right.6 We have heard about proud Moab—
about its pride and arrogance and rage.
But all that boasting has disappeared.7 The entire land of Moab weeps.
Yes, everyone in Moab mourns
for the cakes of raisins from Kir-hareseth.
They are all gone now.8 The farms of Heshbon are abandoned;
the vineyards at Sibmah are deserted.
The rulers of the nations have broken down Moab—
that beautiful grapevine.
Its tendrils spread north as far as the town of Jazer
and trailed eastward into the wilderness.
Its shoots reached so far west
that they crossed over the Dead Sea.t9 So now I weep for Jazer and the vineyards of Sibmah;
my tears will flow for Heshbon and Elealeh.
There are no more shouts of joy
over your summer fruits and harvest.10 Gone now is the gladness,
gone the joy of harvest.
There will be no singing in the vineyards,
no more happy shouts,
no treading of grapes in the winepresses.
I have ended all their harvest joys.11 My heart’s cry for Moab is like a lament on a harp.
I am filled with anguish for Kir-hareseth.t12 The people of Moab will worship at their pagan shrines,
but it will do them no good.
They will cry to the gods in their temples,
but no one will be able to save them.13 The LORD has already said these things about Moab in the past.

14 But now the LORD says, “Within three years, counting each day,t the glory of Moab will be ended. From its great population, only a few of its people will be left alive.”

ISAIAH 16

More Troubles for Moab

1 Send lambst as gifts
to the ruler of the land.
Send them across the desert
from Selat to Mount Zion.

2 The women of Moab
crossing the Arnon River
are like a flock of birds
scattered from their nests.

3 Moab's messengers say
to the people of Judah,
“Be kind and help us!
Shade us from the heat
of the noonday sun.
Hide our refugees!
Don't turn them away.

4 Let our people live
in your country
and find safety here.”
Moab, your cruel enemies
will disappear;
they will no longer attack
and destroy your land.

5 Then a kingdom of love
will be set up,
and someone from David's family
will rule with fairness.
He will do what is right
and quickly bring justice.

Moab's Pride Is Destroyed

6 We have heard of Moab's pride.
Its people strut and boast,
but without reason.

7 Tell everyone in Moab
to mourn for their nation.
Tell them to cry and weep
for those fancy raisinst
of Kir-Hareseth.

8 Vineyards near Heshbon
and Sibmah
have turned brown.
The rulers of nations
used to get drunk
on wine from those vineyardst
that spread to Jazer,
then across the desert
and beyond the sea.

9 Now I mourn like Jazer
for the vineyards
of Sibmah.
I shed tears for Heshbon
and for Elealeh.
There will be no more
harvest celebrations

10 or joyful and happy times,
while bringing in the crops.
Singing and shouting are gone
from the vineyards.
There are no joyful shouts
where grapes were pressed.
God has silenced them all.

11 Deep in my heart I hurt
for Moab and Kir-Heres.

12 It's useless for Moab's people
to wear themselves out
by going to their altars
to worship and pray.
13 The [Lord] has already said all of this about Moab. 14 Now he says, “The contract of a hired worker is good for three years, but Moab's glory and greatness won't last any longer than that. Only a few of its people will survive, and they will be left helpless.”