Isaiah 16

New International Version

16 Send lambs^(A) as tribute^(B)
    to the ruler of the land,
from Sela,^(C) across the desert,
    to the mount of Daughter Zion.^(D)
2 Like fluttering birds
    pushed from the nest,^(E)
so are the women of Moab^(F)
    at the fords^(G) of the Arnon.^(H)

³ “Make up your mind,” Moab says.
    “Render a decision.
Make your shadow like night—
    at high noon.
Hide the fugitives,^(I)
    do not betray the refugees.
⁴ Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you;
    be their shelter^(J) from the destroyer.”

The oppressor^(K) will come to an end,
    and destruction will cease;^(L)
    the aggressor will vanish from the land.
⁵ In love a throne^(M) will be established;^(N)
    in faithfulness a man will sit on it—
    one from the house^[a] of David^(O)—
one who in judging seeks justice^(P)
    and speeds the cause of righteousness.

⁶ We have heard of Moab’s^(Q) pride^(R)—
    how great is her arrogance!—
of her conceit, her pride and her insolence;
    but her boasts are empty.
⁷ Therefore the Moabites wail,^(S)
    they wail together for Moab.
Lament and grieve
    for the raisin cakes^(T) of Kir Hareseth.^(U)
8 The fields of Heshbon^(V) wither,^(W)
    the vines of Sibmah^(X) also.
The rulers of the nations
    have trampled down the choicest vines,^(Y)
which once reached Jazer^(Z)
    and spread toward the desert.
Their shoots spread out^(AA)
    and went as far as the sea.^[b](AB)
9 So I weep,^(AC) as Jazer weeps,
    for the vines of Sibmah.
Heshbon and Elealeh,^(AD)
    I drench you with tears!^(AE)
The shouts of joy^(AF) over your ripened fruit
    and over your harvests^(AG) have been stilled.
¹⁰ Joy and gladness are taken away from the orchards;^(AH)
    no one sings or shouts^(AI) in the vineyards;
no one treads^(AJ) out wine at the presses,^(AK)
    for I have put an end to the shouting.
¹¹ My heart laments for Moab^(AL) like a harp,^(AM)
    my inmost being^(AN) for Kir Hareseth.
¹² When Moab appears at her high place,^(AO)
    she only wears herself out;
when she goes to her shrine^(AP) to pray,
    it is to no avail.^(AQ)