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The women of Moab are left like homeless birds
    at the shallow crossings of the Arnon River.
“Help us,” they cry.
    “Defend us against our enemies.
Protect us from their relentless attack.
    Do not betray us now that we have escaped.
Let our refugees stay among you.
    Hide them from our enemies until the terror is past.”

When oppression and destruction have ended
    and enemy raiders have disappeared,

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Like fluttering birds
    pushed from the nest,(A)
so are the women of Moab(B)
    at the fords(C) of the Arnon.(D)

“Make up your mind,” Moab says.
    “Render a decision.
Make your shadow like night—
    at high noon.
Hide the fugitives,(E)
    do not betray the refugees.
Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you;
    be their shelter(F) from the destroyer.”

The oppressor(G) will come to an end,
    and destruction will cease;(H)
    the aggressor will vanish from the land.

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