The Lord says: I will not relent from punishing Edom for three crimes, even four, because he pursued his brother with the sword. He stifled his compassion, his anger tore at him continually, and he harboured his rage incessantly.
Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau determined in his heart, ‘The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.’
Then my enemy will see, and she will be covered with shame, the one who said to me, ‘Where is the Lord your God? ’ My eyes will look at her in triumph; at that time she will be trampled like mud in the streets.
For by myself I have sworn’ #– #this is the Lord’s declaration #– #‘Bozrah will become a desolation, a disgrace, a ruin, and an example for cursing, and all its surrounding cities will become ruins for ever.’
Let us lie down in our shame; let our disgrace cover us. We have sinned against the Lord our God, both we and our ancestors, from the time of our youth even to this day. We have not obeyed the Lord our God.’
This is what the Lord says: ‘Concerning all my evil neighbours who attack the inheritance that I bequeathed to my people, Israel, I am about to uproot them from their land, and I will uproot the house of Judah from them.
Daughter Zion, your punishment is complete; he will not lengthen your exile. But he will punish your iniquity, Daughter Edom, and will expose your sins.