It was quite a long time – some twenty years in all – that the ark stayed at Kiriath Jearim. All the people ¹  of Israel longed for ²  the Lord.

When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He slept in sackcloth and walked around dejected.

Mourn ¹  over the land of my people, which is overgrown with thorns and briers, and over all the once-happy houses ²  in the city filled with revelry. ³ 

The Lord cried out, ¹  “Who in the world ²  will have pity on you, Jerusalem? Who will grieve over you? Who will stop long enough ³  to inquire about how you are doing? ⁴ 

People of Jerusalem, ¹  go up to Lebanon and cry out in mourning. Go to the land of Bashan and cry out loudly. Cry out in mourning from the mountains of Moab. ²  For your allies ³  have all been defeated.

On all the housetops in Moab and in all its public squares there will be nothing but mourning. For I will break Moab like an unwanted jar. I, the Lord, affirm it! ¹ 

Then you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lip or eat food brought by others. ¹ 

As they wail they will lament over you, chanting: “Who was like Tyre, like a tower ¹  in the midst of the sea?”

“As for those who grieve because they cannot attend the festivals – I took them away from you; they became tribute and were a source of shame to you. ¹ 

Then ¹  the kings of the earth who committed immoral acts with her and lived in sensual luxury ²  with her will weep and wail for her when they see the smoke from the fire that burns her up. ³ 

They took the bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh; then they fasted for seven days.

Let those who curse the day ¹  curse it ²  – those who are prepared to rouse ³  Leviathan. ⁴ 

I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, ¹  and buried ²  my horn ³  in the dust;

Pay attention to me and answer me! I am so upset ¹  and distressed, ²  I am beside myself, ³ 

When the righteous become numerous, ¹  the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. ² 

So my heart constantly sighs for Moab, like the strumming of a harp, ¹  my inner being sighs ²  for Kir Hareseth. ³ 

Here is a message about Damascus: “Look, Damascus is no longer a city, it is a heap of ruins!

Here is a message about Arabia: In the thicket of Arabia you spend the night, you Dedanite caravans.

Here is a message about the Valley of Vision: ¹  What is the reason ²  that all of you go up to the rooftops?

Some ¹  devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation ²  over him. ³