At the gates of Rabbah

1Concerning the sons of Ammon, thus says Yahweh: Does Israel have no sons? Does he have no heir? Why then has Milcom taken possession of Gad, and his people settled in its cities?

2Therefore, behold, days are coming, declares Yahweh, when I will cause the battle cry to be heard against Rabbah of the Ammonites, and it will become a desolate mound, and its daughter towns will be set on fire. Then Israel will dispossess those who dispossessed him, says Yahweh.

3Wail, Heshbon, for Ai is devastated! Cry out, daughters of Rabbah! Put on sackcloth, mourn, and wander about among the walls, for their king will go into exile, together with his priests and his officials.

4Why do you boast in the valleys, your valley flowing away, O faithless daughter, who trusts in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come against me?’

5Behold, I am bringing terror upon you from all around you, declares the Lord GOD of hosts, and each man will be driven out before him, with no one to gather the fugitive.