² The Lord sent Babylonian,^[a](A) Aramean,^(B) Moabite and Ammonite raiders^(C) against him to destroy^(D) Judah, in accordance with the word of the Lord proclaimed by his servants the prophets.^(E)

¹⁷ While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans^(A) formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”