Obadiah 1

1 This is the vision that the Sovereign Lord revealed to Obadiah concerning the land of Edom.

Edom’s Judgment Announced

We have heard a message from the Lord

that an ambassador was sent to the nations to say,

"Get ready, everyone!

Let’s assemble our armies and attack Edom!"

2 The Lord says to Edom,

"I will cut you down to size among the nations;

you will be greatly despised.

3 You have been deceived by your own pride

because you live in a rock fortress

and make your home high in the mountains.

‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’

you ask boastfully.

4 But even if you soar as high as eagles

and build your nest among the stars,

I will bring you crashing down,"

says the Lord.

5 "If thieves came at night and robbed you

(what a disaster awaits you!),

they would not take everything.

Those who harvest grapes

always leave a few for the poor.

But your enemies will wipe you out completely!

6 Every nook and cranny of Edom*1:6 Hebrew Esau; also in 8b, 9, 18, 19, 21.

will be searched and looted.

Every treasure will be found and taken.

7 "All your allies will turn against you.

They will help to chase you from your land.

They will promise you peace

while plotting to deceive and destroy you.

Your trusted friends will set traps for you,

and you won’t even know about it.

8 At that time not a single wise person

will be left in the whole land of Edom,"

says the Lord.

"For on the mountains of Edom

I will destroy everyone who has understanding.

9 The mightiest warriors of Teman

will be terrified,

and everyone on the mountains of Edom

will be cut down in the slaughter.

Reasons for Edom’s Punishment

10 "Because of the violence you did

to your close relatives in Israel,*1:10 Hebrew your brother Jacob. The names "Jacob" and "Israel" are often interchanged throughout the Old Testament, referring sometimes to the individual patriarch and sometimes to the nation.

you will be filled with shame

and destroyed forever.

11 When they were invaded,

you stood aloof, refusing to help them.

Foreign invaders carried off their wealth

and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem,

but you acted like one of Israel’s enemies.

12 "You should not have gloated

when they exiled your relatives to distant lands.

You should not have rejoiced

when the people of Judah suffered such misfortune.

You should not have spoken arrogantly

in that terrible time of trouble.

13 You should not have plundered the land of Israel

when they were suffering such calamity.

You should not have gloated over their destruction

when they were suffering such calamity.

You should not have seized their wealth

when they were suffering such calamity.

14 You should not have stood at the crossroads,

killing those who tried to escape.

You should not have captured the survivors

and handed them over in their terrible time of trouble.

Edom Destroyed, Israel Restored

15 "The day is near when I, the Lord,

will judge all godless nations!

As you have done to Israel,

so it will be done to you.

All your evil deeds

will fall back on your own heads.

16 Just as you swallowed up my people

on my holy mountain,

so you and the surrounding nations

will swallow the punishment I pour out on you.

Yes, all you nations will drink and stagger

and disappear from history.

17 "But Jerusalem*1:17a Hebrew Mount Zion. will become a refuge for those who escape;

it will be a holy place.

And the people of Israel*1:17b Hebrew house of Jacob; also in 18. See note on 10. will come back

to reclaim their inheritance.

18 The people of Israel will be a raging fire,

and Edom a field of dry stubble.

The descendants of Joseph will be a flame

roaring across the field, devouring everything.

There will be no survivors in Edom.

I, the Lord, have spoken!

19 "Then my people living in the Negev

will occupy the mountains of Edom.

Those living in the foothills of Judah*1:19 Hebrew the Shephelah.

will possess the Philistine plains

and take over the fields of Ephraim and Samaria.

And the people of Benjamin

will occupy the land of Gilead.

20 The exiles of Israel will return to their land

and occupy the Phoenician coast as far north as Zarephath.

The captives from Jerusalem exiled in the north*1:20 Hebrew in Sepharad.

will return home and resettle the towns of the Negev.

21 Those who have been rescued*1:21a As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew reads Rescuers. will go up to*1:21b Or from. Mount Zion in Jerusalem

to rule over the mountains of Edom.

And the Lord himself will be king!"