4 Because Azah (Gaza) will become abandoned,

and Ashkelon will become a ruin.

The people of Ashdod will be driven out by noon,

and Ekron will be overthrown.[ref]

5 The inhabitants of the coastal region are to be pitied,

the nation of the Kereti.

≈ Yahweh’s decision is against you all,

Kena’an (Canaan), land of the Pelishtim.

I’ll destroy you until no one remains.

6 The coastal region will become pastures of meadows for shepherds

and pens for flocks.

7 The remaining survivors from Yehudah (Judah) will inhabit that region.

They will shepherd their flocks on that land.

They’ll lie down in their houses in Ashkelon in the evening,

because their god Yahweh will visit them, and he’ll restore their fortune.

8 I’ve heard Moav’s (Moab’s) mocking[ref]

≈ and the Amonim’ insults.[ref]

They’ve insulted my people

and built up their forces against their border.

9 Commander-in-chief Yahweh, Yisrael’s (Israel’s) god, declares:

As certain as I’m alive,

Moav will become like Sedom,

≈ and the Amonim like Amorah (Gomorrah),

overrun by nettles and salt-pits—in ruins forever.[ref]

The remnant of my people will plunder them,

≈ and the remainder of my nation will take possession of them.

10 That will be the fruit of their pride,

because they mocked and talked themselves up

against the people of Commander-in-chief Yahweh.

11 The people of Moav (Moab) and Amon will be very scared when Yahweh punishes them.

He’ll do that so powerfully that people will stop worshipping all other gods.

People in every nation will worship Yahweh instead—each person in their own country.

12 Also you, Kushim (Ethiopians) (Kushim), will be killed by my sword.[ref]

13 Yahweh will punish those in the north.

Yes, he’ll destroy Ashur (Assyria).

≈ He’ll turn Nineveh into ruins—

it’ll become a dry place like the desert.[ref]

14 Herds of every kind of wild animals will lie down in the middle of it,

Various kinds of owls will sit on the pillars still standing.

A call will hoot in the window.

Rubble will blocking any doorways still upright,

because the cedar planks will be exposed.

15 This is the proud city where people lived in security.

The one with a reputation: “No other city compares with me.”

How it’s become a ruin—a home for the wild animals.

Every one passing by will hiss at it in derision,

and shake their fist remembering their hate for it.