28 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,
    but the godly are as bold as lions.

⁴ The kings of the earth joined forces
    and advanced against the city.
⁵ But when they saw it, they were stunned;
    they were terrified and ran away.
⁶ They were gripped with terror
    and writhed in pain like a woman in labor.

¹⁴ Your fastest runners will not get away.
    The strongest among you will become weak.
Even mighty warriors will be unable to save themselves.
¹⁵     The archers will not stand their ground.
The swiftest runners won’t be fast enough to escape.
    Even those riding horses won’t be able to save themselves.
¹⁶ On that day the most courageous of your fighting men
    will drop their weapons and run for their lives,”
    says the Lord.

⁸ “All the towns will be destroyed,
    and no one will escape—
either on the plateaus or in the valleys,
    for the Lord has spoken.
⁹ Oh, that Moab had wings
    so she could fly away,^[a]
for her towns will be left empty,
    with no one living in them.

²⁰ On that day of judgment they will abandon the gold and silver idols
    they made for themselves to worship.
They will leave their gods to the rodents and bats,

21 The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord;
    he guides it wherever he pleases.