Judgment on the Ammonites

Concerning the Ammonites this is what the LORD says:

“ Has Israel no sons?

Is he without heir?

Why then has Milcom[fn] taken possession of Gad?

Why have his people settled in their cities?

2 

Therefore, behold, the days are coming,

declares the LORD,

when I will sound the battle cry

against Rabbah of the Ammonites

It will become a heap of ruins,

and its villages vvv will be burned.

Then Israel will drive out their dispossessors,

says the LORD.

3 

Wail, O Heshbon, for Ai has been destroyed;

cry out, O daughters of Rabbah!

Put on sackcloth and mourn;

run back and forth within your walls,

for Milcom will go into exile

together with his priests and officials.

4 

Why do you boast of your valleys—

your valleys so fruitful,[fn]

O faithless daughter?

You trust in your riches [and say],

‘Who can come against me?’

5 

Behold, I am about to bring terror upon you,

declares the Lord GOD of Hosts,

from all those around you.

You will each be driven headlong,

with no one to regather the fugitives.

6 

Yet afterward I will restore the Ammonites from captivity,[fn]”

declares the LORD.

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