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A Message to Edom

This message is to Edom [Gen. 36; Num. 20:14–21; Ps. 137:7; Lam. 4:22; Obad. 10–14]. This is what the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] says:

“Is there no more wisdom in the town of Teman [Job 2:11]?
    Can the wise men [C of Edom] no longer give good advice?
    Have they lost their wisdom?
You people living in the town of Dedan,
    ·run away [flee] and hide in deep caves,
because I will bring ·disaster [calamity] on the people of Esau.
    It is time for me to punish them.
If workers came and picked the grapes from your vines,
    they would leave ·a few grapes [gleanings] behind.
If robbers came at night,
    they would steal only enough for themselves.
10 But I will strip Esau [C Edom] bare.
    I will ·find [expose] all their hiding places,
    so they will not be able to hide from me.
The ·children [L seed], ·relatives [brothers], and neighbors will die,
    And they [C Edom] will be no more.
11 ·Leave [Abandon; Forsake] the orphans, and I will ·take care of them [keep them alive].
    Your widows also can ·trust [have confidence] in me.”

12 This is what the Lord says: “Some people did not deserve to be punished, but they had to drink from the cup [C of suffering; 25:15–38; 48:26–28] anyway. You [C people of Edom] deserve to be punished, so you will not escape punishment. You must certainly drink from the cup.” 13 The Lord says, “I swear by ·my own name [L myself] that the city of Bozrah will become a pile of ruins! People will be shocked by what happened there. They will ·insult [reproach] that city and ·speak evil of [curse] it. And all the towns around it will become ruins forever.”

14 I have heard a message from the Lord.
    A ·messenger [herald] has been sent among the nations, saying,
“Gather [C your armies] to attack it!
    ·Get ready [L Rise up] for battle!”

15 “Soon I will make you the smallest of nations,
    and you will be greatly ·hated [despised] by everyone.
16 Edom, you ·frightened [terrorized] other nations,
    but your ·pride [arrogance] has ·fooled [deceived] you.
You live in the hollow places of the ·cliff [rock; crag]
    and ·control [seize] the high places of the hills.
Even if you build your home as high as an eagle’s nest,
    I will bring you down from there,” says the Lord.

17 “Edom will be ·destroyed [desolate].
    People who pass by will be shocked to see the destroyed cities,
    and they will ·be amazed [hiss] at all her ·injuries [disasters].
18 Edom will be ·destroyed [overturned] like the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah [Gen. 18—19]
    and the towns around them,” says the Lord.
“No one will live there!
    No one will ·stay [sojourn; wander] in it [C Edom].

19 “Like a lion coming up from the thick bushes near the Jordan River
    to attack ·a strong pen for sheep [or perennial pastures; 50:44],
I will suddenly chase it [C Edom] from its land.
    Who is the one I have ·chosen [appointed] to do this?
·There is no one [L Who is…?] like me,
    ·no one who [L who…?] can take me to court.
·None of their leaders [L Who is the shepherd who…?] can stand up against me.”

20 So listen to ·what the Lord has planned to do against Edom [L the counsel/advice of the Lord].
    Listen to ·what he has decided to do to [L his plans against] the people in the town of Teman.
He will surely drag away the young of the flock [C the youth of Edom].
    Their ·hometowns [L pasture] will surely be shocked at what happens to them.
21 At the sound of their [C Edom’s] fall, the earth will shake.
    Their cry will be heard all the way to the ·Red [Reed] Sea [50:20; Ex. 10:19].
22 The Lord is like an eagle swooping down
    and spreading its wings over the city of Bozrah.
At that time Edom’s soldiers will become very frightened,
    like a woman ·having a baby [in labor; 48:40; Ezek. 17:3–4; Hos. 8:1].

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