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Chapter 16

[a]Send forth lambs to the ruler of the land,
    from Sela across the desert
    to the mount of daughter Zion.
Like fluttering birds,
    like scattered nestlings,
are the women of Moab
    at the fords of the Arnon.
Offer your counsel,
    grant us your justice.
At high noon
    let your shadow be like night.
Hide those who are outcasts
    and do not betray the fugitives.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 16:1 The text is uncertain— verse 2 belongs before verse 1, as a continuation of 15:9. Then, it seems, the ruler of Moab is urged to send a messenger to ask for asylum in Jerusalem, to which verses 3-4 refer.

16 Send lambs(A) as tribute(B)
    to the ruler of the land,
from Sela,(C) across the desert,
    to the mount of Daughter Zion.(D)
Like fluttering birds
    pushed from the nest,(E)
so are the women of Moab(F)
    at the fords(G) of the Arnon.(H)

“Make up your mind,” Moab says.
    “Render a decision.
Make your shadow like night—
    at high noon.
Hide the fugitives,(I)
    do not betray the refugees.

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