“‘A sword,^(B) a sword,
    drawn for the slaughter,
polished to consume
    and to flash like lightning!

¹⁰ This is what they will get in return for their pride,^(L)
    for insulting^(M) and mocking
    the people of the Lord Almighty.^(N)

“‘A sword, a sword,
    sharpened and polished—
¹⁰ sharpened for the slaughter,^(A)
    polished to flash like lightning!

“For three sins of Ammon,^(A)
    even for four, I will not relent.
Because he ripped open the pregnant women^(B) of Gilead
    in order to extend his borders,
¹⁴ I will set fire to the walls of Rabbah^(C)
    that will consume^(D) her fortresses
amid war cries^(E) on the day of battle,
    amid violent winds^(F) on a stormy day.
¹⁵ Her king^[a] will go into exile,
    he and his officials together,^(G)”
says the Lord.^(H)

“Has Israel no sons?
    Has Israel no heir?
Why then has Molek^[a](B) taken possession of Gad?^(C)
    Why do his people live in its towns?
² But the days are coming,”
    declares the Lord,
“when I will sound the battle cry^(D)
    against Rabbah^(E) of the Ammonites;
it will become a mound of ruins,^(F)
    and its surrounding villages will be set on fire.
Then Israel will drive out
    those who drove her out,^(G)”
says the Lord.
³ “Wail, Heshbon,^(H) for Ai^(I) is destroyed!
    Cry out, you inhabitants of Rabbah!
Put on sackcloth^(J) and mourn;
    rush here and there inside the walls,
for Molek^(K) will go into exile,^(L)
    together with his priests and officials.
⁴ Why do you boast of your valleys,
    boast of your valleys so fruitful?
Unfaithful Daughter Ammon,^(M)
    you trust in your riches^(N) and say,
    ‘Who will attack me?’^(O)
5 I will bring terror on you
    from all those around you,”
declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.
“Every one of you will be driven away,
    and no one will gather the fugitives.^(P)

¹² Over all the barren heights in the desert
    destroyers will swarm,
for the sword^(A) of the Lord^(B) will devour^(C)
    from one end of the land to the other;^(D)
    no one will be safe.^(E)