23 This message is about the city of Damascus:“The towns of Hamath and Arpad are put to shame.They are afraid because they have heard bad news.They are discouraged.They are troubled like the tossing sea.
24 The city of Damascus has become weak.The people want to run away.The people are ready to panic.The people feel pain and sufferinglike a woman having a baby.
25 Damascus was a city of my joy.Why have the people not left that famous city yet?
26 Surely the young men will die in the public squares of that city.All of her soldiers will be killed at that time,” says the Lord of heaven’s armies.
27 “I will set fire to the walls of Damascus.The fire will completely burn the strong cities of Ben-Hadad.”
28 This message is about the tribe of Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated them. This is what the Lord says:“Go and attack the people of Kedar.Destroy the people of the East.
29 Their tents and flocks will be taken away.Their tents and all their things will be carried off.Their enemy will take away their goods and camels.Men will shout to them,‘Terror on every side!’