Isaiah 16
16:1 Send rams as tribute to the ruler of the land,1
from Sela in the desert2
to the hill of Daughter Zion.
16:2 At the fords of the Arnon3
the Moabite women are like a bird
that flies about when forced from its nest.4
16:3 “Bring a plan, make a decision!5
Provide some shade in the middle of the day!6
Hide the fugitives! Do not betray7 the one who tries to escape!
16:4 Please let the Moabite fugitives live8 among you.
Hide them9 from the destroyer!”
Certainly10 the one who applies pressure will cease,11
the destroyer will come to an end,
those who trample will disappear12 from the earth.
16:5 Then a trustworthy king will be established;
he will rule in a reliable manner,
this one from David’s family.13
He will be sure to make just decisions
and will be experienced in executing justice.14
16:6 We have heard about Moab’s pride,
their great arrogance,
their boasting, pride, and excess.15
But their boastful claims are empty!16
16:7 So Moab wails over its demise17 –
they all wail!
Completely devastated, they moan
about what has happened to the raisin cakes of Kir Hareseth.18
16:8 For the fields of Heshbon are dried up,
as well as the vines of Sibmah.
The rulers of the nations trample all over its vines,
which reach Jazer and spread to the desert;
their shoots spread out and cross the sea.
16:9 So I weep along with Jazer19
over the vines of Sibmah.
I will saturate you20 with my tears, Heshbon and Elealeh,
for the conquering invaders shout triumphantly
over your fruit and crops.21
16:10 Joy and happiness disappear from the orchards,
and in the vineyards no one rejoices or shouts;
no one treads out juice in the wine vats22 –
I have brought the joyful shouts to an end.23
16:11 So my heart constantly sighs for Moab, like the strumming of a harp,24
my inner being sighs25 for Kir Hareseth.26
16:12 When the Moabites plead with all their might at their high places,27
and enter their temples to pray, their prayers will be ineffective!28
16:13 This is the message the