A reading from the Book of Jeremiah.

Concerning Moab, thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel.

Woe to Nebo, for it is laid waste.

Kiryathium is put to shame. It is taken.

The fortress is put to shame and broken down.

The renown of Moab is no more.

In Heshbon, they planned disaster against her.

Come, let us cut her off from being a nation. You also, oh madmen, shall be brought to silence.

The sword shall pursue you. A voice, a cry from Horanam, desolation and great destruction.

Moab is destroyed. Her little ones have made a cry. For at the ascent of Lewith, they go up

weeping, for at the descent of Horaniam, they have heard the distressed cry of destruction.

Flee, save yourselves, you will be like a juniper in the desert. For because you trusted in

your works and your treasures, you also shall be taken, and Kima shall go into exile with his priests and his officials.

The destroyer shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape, the valley shall perish,

and the plain shall be destroyed. As the Lord has spoken, give wings to Moab, for she would fly away.

Her city shall become a desolation, with no inhabitant in them. Cursed is he who does the work of the

Lord with slackness, and cursed is he who keeps back his sword from bloodshed. Moab has been at ease

from his youth, and has settled on his dregs. He has not been emptied from vessel to vessel,

nor has he gone into exile, so his taste remains in him, and his scent is not changed.

Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I shall send to him pourers

him, and empty his vessels and break his jars and pieces. Then Moab shall be ashamed of

Kimash, as the House of Israel was ashamed of Bethel, their confidence. How do you say we are heroes and mighty men of war?

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