Jeremiah 49:1–6

A Message about Ammon

This message was given concerning the Ammonites. This is what the Lord says:

“Are there no descendants of Israel

to inherit the land of Gad?

Why are you, who worship Molech,

living in its towns?

²In the days to come,” says the Lord,

“I will sound the battle cry against your city of Rabbah.

It will become a desolate heap of ruins,

and the neighboring towns will be burned.

Then Israel will take back the land

you took from her,” says the Lord.

³“Cry out, O Heshbon,

for the town of Ai is destroyed.

Weep, O people of Rabbah!

Put on your clothes of mourning.

Weep and wail, hiding in the hedges,

for your god Molech, with his priests and officials,

will be hauled off to distant lands.

⁴You are proud of your fertile valleys,

but they will soon be ruined.

You trusted in your wealth,

you rebellious daughter,

and thought no one could ever harm you.

⁵But look! I will bring terror upon you,”

says the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

“Your neighbors will chase you from your land,

and no one will help your exiles as they flee.

⁶But I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites

in days to come.

I, the Lord, have spoken.”