A reading from the book of Jeremiah.

Concerning the Ammonites, thus says the Lord.

Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir?

Why then has Milcom dispossessed Gad and his people settled in its cities?

Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,

when I will cause the battle

cry to be heard against Rabah of the Ammonites.

It shall become a desolate mound, and its villages shall be burned with fire.

Then Israel shall dispossess those who dispossessed him, says the Lord. Whale, O Heshben, for I is laid waste.

Cry out, O daughters of Raba.

Put on sackcloth, lament, and run to and fro among the hedges.

For Milcom shall go into exile with his priests and his officials.

Why do you boast of your valleys,

O faithless daughter, who trusted in her treasures, saying, who will come against me?

Behold, I will bring terror upon you, declares the Lord God of hosts, from all who are around you,

and you shall be driven out, every man straight before him, with none to gather the fugitives. But afterward, I will restore the fortunes of the

Ammonites, declares the Lord. Concerning Edom, thus says the Lord of hosts.

Is wisdom no more in Teaman?

Has counsel perished from the prudent?

Has their wisdom vanished?

Flee, turn back, dwell in the depths, O inhabitants of Deedon,

for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time when I will punish him.

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