Jeremiah 49:23-39

YAHWEH says to Damascus: “Your neighboring cities of Hamath and Arpad are humiliated, for they have heard the bad news. They are shaken with anxiety like the troubled sea that cannot be calmed. The people of Damascus are in a panic. They have lost their courage and have turned to run. Anguish and travail have taken hold of them, like a woman in labor. You were once famous, and I was pleased with you, but now I warn you, ‘Escape while you can!’ Nevertheless, I, YAHWEH, Commander of Angel Armies, say to you: On that day, the enemy will kill your young men in the streets, and all your warriors will perish. I will light a fire inside the walls of Damascus, to devour the palaces of Ben-Hadad.” YAHWEH says to the tribe of Kedar and the areas controlled by Hazor, all conquered by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon: “Rise up! Advance to Kedar, destroy the Arab tribes of the east. Capture their tents, flocks, tent curtains, camels, and all their gear. Tell the people there is terror on every side!” YAHWEH says to the people of Hazor: “Run away and hide in caves as fast as you can, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has plans to attack you; he has a scheme in mind to defeat you. “Rise up! March on an unsuspecting people who feel safe and secure,” says YAHWEH. “They are complacent, living off by themselves without walls or gates. Take all their camels and many sheep as the spoils of war. Those who live in the edges of the desert I will scatter to the four winds. And I, YAHWEH, will bring disaster on them from every side. Hazor will become desolate, the haunt of jackals, an empty, uninhabited desert.” In the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, YAHWEH, Commander of Angel Armies, gave me a word for the land of Elam. “Behold, I will break the strength of Elam’s archers, the boast of their might. I will bring storms of judgment from everywhere to break out against them. I will scatter them to the four winds. And there will not be a single nation that will not take you captive. Elamites! I will shatter your confidence before your enemies, who are determined to kill you. In my burning anger, I, YAHWEH, will bring disaster on you and pursue you with the sword until I have eliminated you all. Then I, YAHWEH, will destroy your kings and leaders and establish my rule in Elam. Then later on, I will bring your captives back,” says YAHWEH.