The Lord's Judgment on Damascus

^23 (A)This is what the Lord said about Damascus: “The people in the cities of Hamath and Arpad are worried and troubled because they have heard bad news. Anxiety rolls over them like a sea, and they cannot rest. ²⁴ The people of Damascus are weak and have fled in terror. They are in pain and misery like a woman in labor. ²⁵ The famous city that used to be happy^[a] is completely deserted. ²⁶ On that day her young men will be killed in the city streets, and all her soldiers destroyed. ²⁷ I will set the walls of Damascus on fire and will burn down King Benhadad's palaces. I, the Lord Almighty, have spoken.”

God's Judgment on Israel's Neighbors

Syria

^3 (A)The Lord says, “The people of Damascus have sinned again and again, and for this I will certainly punish them. They treated the people of Gilead with savage cruelty. ⁴ So I will send fire upon the palace built by King Hazael and I will burn down the fortresses of King Benhadad. ⁵ I will smash the city gates of Damascus and remove the inhabitants of Aven Valley and the ruler of Betheden. The people of Syria will be taken away as prisoners to the land of Kir.”

Judgment on Neighboring Nations

9 ^(A)This is the Lord's message:

He has decreed punishment for the land of Hadrach and for the city of Damascus. Not only the tribes of Israel but also the capital of Syria belong to the Lord.