One will show the king the way to the Ammonite city of Rabbah, and the other the way to Judah, to the fortified city, Jerusalem.

Meanwhile Joab continued his campaign against Rabbah, the capital city of Ammon, and was about to capture it.

The cities of Syria will be deserted forever. They will be a pasture for sheep and cattle, and no one will drive them away.

Even the palace will be abandoned and the capital city totally deserted. Homes and the forts that guarded them will be in ruins forever. Wild donkeys will roam there, and sheep will find pasture there.

It will be a place where flocks, herds, and animals of every kind will lie down. Owls will live among its ruins and hoot from the windows. Crows will caw on the doorsteps. The cedar wood of her buildings will be stripped away.

That is what will happen to the city that is so proud of its own power and thinks it is safe. Its people think that their city is the greatest in the world. What a desolate place it will become, a place where wild animals will rest! Everyone who passes by will shrink back in horror.

The Sovereign LORD said, "Because Moab has said that Judah is like all the other nations,

Then I will be a sign to you; you will do everything I have done. The LORD says that when this happens, you will know that he is the Sovereign LORD."

and with their swords they will kill those who live in her towns on the mainland. Then Tyre will know that I am the LORD."

When I set fire to Egypt and all her defenders are killed, then they will know that I am the LORD.

I will make you desolate forever, and no one will live in your cities again. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

In this way I will show all the nations that I am great and that I am holy. They will know then that I am the LORD."

May they know that you alone are the LORD, supreme ruler over all the earth.

Now, LORD our God, rescue us from the Assyrians, so that all the nations of the world will know that you alone are God."