Isaiah 16

1Send the lamb to the land's ruler from Sela to the wilderness, to the mountain of Daughter Zion.

2The daughters of Moab will be like a fleeing bird, like a nest driven out, at the fords of the Arnon.

3Bring counsel, do justice; set your shade like the night in the midst of midday; conceal the outcasts; do not disclose the wanderer.

4Let my banished dwell with you, Moab; be a shelter for them from the destroyer. For the extortioner has failed, destruction has ceased, the oppressors are gone from the land.

5A throne will be established in steadfast love, and he will sit on it in truth, in the tent of David, judging, seeking justice, and swift to righteousness.

6We have heard Moab's arrogance—he is exceedingly proud—even his haughtiness, his pride, and his wrath; his boasts are nothing.

7Therefore Moab wails for Moab; all wail—for the raisin cakes of Kir-hareseth you mourn, surely stricken.

8For Heshbon's fields have languished, Sibmah's vine as well; the lords of nations broke down its choice branches, which reached even to Jaazer—they touched, they wandered into the wilderness—its shoots were cast off, they passed over the sea.

9Therefore I will weep for Sibmah’s vine with the weeping of Jazer. I will drench you with my tears, Heshbon and Elealeh, for the shout has fallen upon your summer fruits and your harvest.

10Joy and exultation have departed from the fruitful field, and in the vineyards there is no joyful singing, no shouts over wine in the presses; the treader will not tread amid jubilant cries—I have silenced them.

11Therefore my heart moans like a harp for Moab, and my inward parts for Kir-hareseth.

12When Moab presents himself weary on the high place and comes to his sanctuary to pray, he will not be able.

13This is the word that Yahweh spoke concerning Moab from that time.

14Now Yahweh has spoken, saying: In three years, like the years of a hireling, Moab's glory will be despised, with all the great multitude, and the remnant will be very few—not mighty.