You who live in Fair Dibon,
come down from your prideful place and sit in the dust.
For the destroyer of Moab has come up against you
and has destroyed your fortresses.
You who live in Aroer,
stand at the side of the road and wait.
Ask the fleeing men and women:
‘What has happened?’
They answer, ‘Moab is humiliated.
Weep and cry for Moab, for she has been defeated!’
Announce the news beside the Arnon River:
‘Moab is devastated.’
“YAHWEH has judged the cities of the plateau and has punished them. Those cities include Holon, Jahzah, Mephaath, Dibon, Nebo, Beth Diblathaim, Kiriathaim, Beth Gamul, Beth Meon, Kerioth, and Bozrah. He has punished all the cities of Moab, far and near.” YAHWEH declares: “All the strength of Moab is cut off, and her power is broken.”
“Make Moab drink from this cup until drunk because she exalted herself against YAHWEH. Drunken Moab will wallow in her own vomit until she makes the world laugh at her. And they will say, ‘Didn’t you make fun of Israel in the past? Didn’t you say Israel was nothing but crooks? Whenever you spoke of her, didn’t you shake your head in disgust?’
“People of Moab, flee your cities and hide in the rocks.
Be like doves that make their nests among the cliffs.
Everyone knows about the pride of Moab.
I have heard about how very proud, arrogant, and lofty she is.
How highly she thinks of herself!
But I, YAHWEH, know of her insolent defiance.
Her boasts are empty and accomplish nothing.”
Therefore I wail for Moab;
I cry out for the whole country,
and I mourn for the people of Kir Hareseth.
I will weep for you more than I wept for Jazer,
O vine of Sibmah!
Your branches passed over the Dead Sea
and spread to the sea of Jazer.
An enemy has destroyed your figs and your grapes.
YAHWEH
“The people no longer experience joy and gladness
in the fruitful land of Moab;
for I have stopped the people from making wine.
They are no longer shouting happily as they tread the grapes,
for no wine is coming out of the wine presses.
People are indeed shouting but not for joy.