A message about Damascus

23 This message is about Damascus. This is what Yahweh says:

“The people in the nearby cities of Hamath and Arpad are confused,

because they have heard bad news about Damascus.

They are very anxious and restless,

like [SIM] a sea in a big storm.

24 The people of Damascus have become very weak,

and they all have ◄panicked/fled because they are very afraid►.

The people are anguished and in pain

like [SIM] a woman experiences who is about to give birth.

25 That famous city, that I was previously pleased with,

will be abandoned.

26 Its young men will fall in the streets.

Its soldiers will all be killed in one day.

27 And I, the Commander of the armies of angels, will start a fire to burn the walls that surround Damascus,

and the palaces of King Ben-Hadad will be burned down.”