⁸ For the Lord has a day^(A) of vengeance,^(B)
    a year of retribution,^(C) to uphold Zion’s cause.
⁹ Edom’s streams will be turned into pitch,
    her dust into burning sulfur;^(D)
    her land will become blazing pitch!
¹⁰ It will not be quenched^(E) night or day;
    its smoke will rise forever.^(F)
From generation to generation^(G) it will lie desolate;^(H)
    no one will ever pass through it again.
¹¹ The desert owl^[a](I) and screech owl^[b] will possess it;
    the great owl^[c] and the raven^(J) will nest there.
God will stretch out over Edom^(K)
    the measuring line of chaos^(L)
    and the plumb line^(M) of desolation.
¹² Her nobles will have nothing there to be called a kingdom,
    all her princes^(N) will vanish^(O) away.
¹³ Thorns^(P) will overrun her citadels,
    nettles and brambles her strongholds.^(Q)
She will become a haunt for jackals,^(R)
    a home for owls.^(S)
14 Desert creatures^(T) will meet with hyenas,^(U)
    and wild goats will bleat to each other;
there the night creatures^(V) will also lie down
    and find for themselves places of rest.
¹⁵ The owl will nest there and lay eggs,
    she will hatch them, and care for her young
    under the shadow of her wings;^(W)
there also the falcons^(X) will gather,
    each with its mate.

None of these will be missing,^(Z)
    not one will lack her mate.
For it is his mouth^(AA) that has given the order,^(AB)
    and his Spirit will gather them together.
¹⁷ He allots their portions;^(AC)
    his hand distributes them by measure.
They will possess it forever
    and dwell there from generation to generation.^(AD)

³ Strengthen the feeble hands,
    steady the knees^(AN) that give way;
⁴ say^(AO) to those with fearful hearts,^(AP)
    “Be strong, do not fear;^(AQ)
your God will come,^(AR)
    he will come with vengeance;^(AS)
with divine retribution
    he will come to save^(AT) you.”