⁴ The people of Heshbon and Elealeh will cry out;
    their voices will be heard as far away as Jahaz!
The bravest warriors of Moab will cry out in utter terror.
    They will be helpless with fear.

¹⁸ Why was I ever born?
    My entire life has been filled
    with trouble, sorrow, and shame.

⁸ The farms of Heshbon are abandoned;
    the vineyards at Sibmah are deserted.
The rulers of the nations have broken down Moab—
    that beautiful grapevine.
Its tendrils spread north as far as the town of Jazer
    and trailed eastward into the wilderness.
Its shoots reached so far west
    that they crossed over the Dead Sea.^[a]

⁹ So now I weep for Jazer and the vineyards of Sibmah;
    my tears will flow for Heshbon and Elealeh.
There are no more shouts of joy
    over your summer fruits and harvest.

¹⁵ I would rather be strangled—
    rather die than suffer like this.
¹⁶ I hate my life and don’t want to go on living.
    Oh, leave me alone for my few remaining days.

²⁰ “Oh, why give light to those in misery,
    and life to those who are bitter?
²¹ They long for death, and it won’t come.
    They search for death more eagerly than for hidden treasure.
²² They’re filled with joy when they finally die,
    and rejoice when they find the grave.