_I have heard[152] the reviling of Moab and the insults of the sons of Ammon, who have reviled My people and vaunted themselves upon their[153] border. Wherefore as I live, saith Jehovah of Hosts, God of Israel, Moab shall become as Sodom, and Ammon’s sons as Gomorrah—the possession[154] of nettles, and saltpits,[155] and a desolation for ever; the remnant of My people shall spoil them, and the rest of My nation possess them. This to them for their arrogance, because they reviled, and vaunted themselves against, the people of[156] Jehovah of Hosts. Jehovah showeth Himself terrible[157] against them, for He hath made lean[158] all gods of earth, that all the coasts of the nations may worship Him, every man from his own place.[159]_ * * * * * The next oracle is a very short one (ver. 12) upon Egypt, which after its long subjection to Ethiopic dynasties is called, not Miṣraim, but Kush, or Ethiopia. The verse follows on naturally to ver. 7, but is not reducible to the elegiac measure. _Also ye, O Kushites, are the slain of My sword.[160]_ The elegiac measure is now renewed[161] in an oracle against Assyria, the climax and front of heathendom (vv. 13-15). It must have been written before 608: there is no reason to doubt that it is Zephaniah’s. _And may He stretch out His hand against the North, And destroy Asshur; And may He turn Niniveh to desolation, Dry as the desert. And herds shall couch in her midst. Every beast of....[162] Yea, pelican and bittern[163] shall roost on the capitals; The owl shall hoot in the window, The raven on the doorstep._ . . . . .[164] _Such is the City, the Jubilant, She that sitteth at ease, She that saith in her heart, I am And there is none else! How hath she become desolation! A lair of beasts. Every one passing by her hisses, Shakes his hand._