Isaiah 16

Send lambs from Sela as tribute to the ruler of the land. Send
Them through the desert to the mountain of beautiful Zion
The women of Moab are left like homeless birds at the shallow
Crossings of the Arnon River. "Help us," they cry. "Defend us
Against our enemies! Protect us from their relentless attack!
Do not betray us now that we have escaped! 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, 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. We have heard about proud
Moab, about its pride and arrogance and rage, but all that boasting
Has disappeared. The entire land of Moab weeps. Yes, everyone in Moab
Mourns for the cakes of raisins from Kir Hareseth. They are all gone
Now. 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. 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. 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. My heart's cry for Moab is like a lament on a harp. I am filled
With anguish for Kir Hareseth. 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. The Lord has already said these things about
Moab in the past. But now the Lord says: Within three years
Counting each day, the glory of Moab will be ended. From
Its great population only a feeble few will be left alive