A reading from the book of Isaiah.

An oracle concerning Moab.

Because R of Moab is laid waste in a night, Moab is undone.

Because Keir of Moab is laid waste in a night, Moab is undone.

He has gone up to the temple and to Daibbon, to the high places to weep, over

Nebo and over Medaba Moab whales. On every head is baldness, every beard is shorn. In the streets

they wear sackcloth. On the housetops and in the squares, everyone wails and melts in tears.

Heshpen and Elieela cry out. Their voices heard as far as Jahas. Therefore the armed men of Moab cry

aloud. His soul trembles. My heart cries out for Moab. Her fugitives flee to Zohar, to Eglath Shalicia, for at the

ascent of Luhith they go up weeping. On the road to Horoniam, they raise a cry of destruction.

The waters of Nimrim are a desolation. The grass is withered. The vegetation fails. The greenery is

no more. Therefore the abundance they have gained, and what they have laid up, they carry away

over the brook of the willows. For a cry has gone around the land of Moab. Her wailing reaches to

Egliam. Her wailing reaches to Beir Elam, for the waters

of Daibon are full of blood. For I will bring upon Daibon even more, a lion for those of Moab

who escape, for the remnant of the land. Send the lamb to the ruler of the land, from Sela by way of the desert,

to the mount of the daughter of Zion. Like fleeing birds, like a scattered nest, so are the

daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon. Give counsel, grant justice, make your shade like night at the height of noon. Shelter the

outcasts. Do not reveal the fugitive. Let the outcasts of Moab sojourn among you. Be a shelter to

them from the destroyer. When the oppressor is no more and destruction has ceased, and he who tramples underfoot has vanished

from the land, then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in

faithfulness in the tent of David, one who judges and seeks justice, and is swift to do righteousness.

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