“The calamity

Of Moab

Is near at hand.

His doom

Approaches swiftly.

Mourn over him!

All you!

His neighbors!

All you!

Who know his name!

Say!

‘How the mighty scepter

Is broken,

The glorious staff!’”

The destruction of Moab was fast approaching.   Soon it would be there. Jeremiah wanted all its neighbors and those who knew the name of Moab to mourn over Moab. They were to say that the mighty scepter of Moab, his glorious staff, had been broken.