"Preparewaragainsther; Arise,and let us attackat noon.Woeto us, for the daydeclines,For the shadowsof the eveninglengthen!
"As a slavewho pantsfor the shade,And as a hiredmanwho eagerlywaitsfor his wages,
"Untilthe coolof the daywhen the shadowsfleeaway, Turn,my beloved,and be likea gazelleOra youngstagon the mountainsof Bether."
"Their widowswill be morenumerousbefore Me Thanthe sandof the seas;I will bringagainst them, againstthe motherof a youngman,A destroyerat noonday;I will suddenlybringdownon her Anguishand dismay.
"She who boreseven[sons] pinesaway;Her breathingis labored.Her sunhas setwhile it was yetday;She has beenshamedand humiliated.So I will giveover their survivorsto the swordBeforetheir enemies,"declaresthe LORD.
"Goup through her vinerowsand destroy,But do not executea completedestruction;Stripawayher branches,For they are not the LORD'S.
"They seizebowand spear;They are crueland havenomercy;Their voiceroarslike the sea,And they rideon horses,Arrayedas a manfor the battleAgainstyou, O daughterof Zion!"
"Harvestis past,summeris ended,And we are not saved."
Proclaimthisamong the nations:Preparea war;rousethe mightymen!Let allthe soldiersdrawnear,let them comeup!
The visionof Obadiah.Thussaysthe LordGODconcerning Edom--We have hearda reportfrom the LORD,And an envoyhas been sentamong the nations[saying], "Ariseand let us goagainsther for battle"--
Thussaysthe LORDconcerningthe prophetswho leadmy peopleastray;When they have [something] to bitewith their teeth,They cry,"Peace,"But againsthim whoputsnothingin their mouthsThey declareholywar.
For Gazawill be abandonedAnd Ashkelona desolation;Ashdodwill be drivenout at noonAnd Ekronwill be uprooted.
