Isaiah 16

1 “Send a lamb to the ruler of the land, from Selah, ^{a16:1 So 1QIsaa; MT reads Sela; LXX reads not the rock} by way of the desert, to the mountain of the Daughter of Zion. ^{b16:1 i.e. Mt. Zion}ISV — Isaiah 16:1

2 Like fluttering birds, like an abandoned nest, so are the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon River. ^{c16:2 So 1QIsaa; the Heb. lacks River}ISV — Isaiah 16:2

3 “Give us advice; reach a decision! Cast your shadow as if night had come at high noon. Shelter the fugitives, And don’t betray a single refugee.ISV — Isaiah 16:3

4 Let the fugitives ^{d16:4 So 1QIsaa; MT reads my fugitives} from Moab settle among you; be a shelter to them from the destroyer. When the oppressor comes to an end, and destruction has ^{e16:4 So 1QIsaa; MT reads have} ceased, and the marauder ^{f16:4 Lit. the one who tramples underfoot} has ^{g16:4 So 1QIsaa; MT reads have} vanished from the land,ISV — Isaiah 16:4

5 then a throne will be established in gracious love, and there will sit in faithfulness— in the Tent of David— one who judges, seeks justice, and is swift to do what is right.”ISV — Isaiah 16:5

6 “We’ve heard about Moab’s pride— so very proud he became!— ^{h16:6 So 1QIsaa MTmss; cf. Jer 48:29; MT reads how very proud he was} his arrogance, his pride, and his insolence; therefore he is alone. ^{i16:6 So 1QIsaa; MT LXX read but his boasts mean nothing}ISV — Isaiah 16:6

7 Therefore, let Moab not ^{j16:7 So 1QIsaa; the Heb. lacks not} wail, let everyone wail for Moab. Lament and grieve deeply for the ruined remains ^{k16:7 Or for the raisin cakes} of Kir-hareseth.ISV — Isaiah 16:7

8 For the fields of Heshbon wither, as well as the vines of Sibmah. ^{l16:8 So 1QIsaa; MT LXX include the rest of v. 8: The rulers … vine of Sibmah in v. 9} The rulers of the nations have struck down its choicest vines, which once reached Jazer and pushed to the desert. Its shoots spread out and passed over the sea.”ISV — Isaiah 16:8

9 “Therefore I weep with the tears of Jazer for the vines of Sibmah. I drench you with my tears, O Heshbon and Elealeh— for the shouts of joy over your summer fruit and your grain harvest have ended.ISV — Isaiah 16:9

10 Joy and gladness are taken away from the orchards, in the vineyards people will sing no songs, ^{m16:10 So 1QIsaa LXX; MT reads no songs are sung} and ^{n16:10 So 1QIsaa MTmss; the Heb. lacks and} no cheers are raised. No vintner ^{o16:10 Lit. treader} treads out wine in the presses, because I’ve put an end to the shouting.ISV — Isaiah 16:10

11 Therefore my insides ^{p16:11Or heart; lit. bowels} moan like a lyre for Moab, and my innermost being ^{q16:11 Or my very soul} for Kir-hareseth.ISV — Isaiah 16:11

12 When Moab appears, when he arrives ^{r16:12 So 1QIsaa; MT LXX read tires himself} upon the high place and comes to his sanctuary to pray, he will not prevail.”ISV — Isaiah 16:12

13 This was the message that the LORD spoke concerning Moab in the past.ISV — Isaiah 16:13

14 But now the LORD has spoken again: “Within three years, like the years of a contract worker, ^{s16:14 i.e. as if carefully counted pursuant to an employment contract; cf. Isa 21:16} Moab’s glory will be brought into contempt, in spite of all its great multitude, and its survivors will be very few and ^{t16:14 So 1QIsaa LXX; the Heb. lacks and} of no importance.”ISV — Isaiah 16:14