Isaiah 21
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1A message concerning the pasture by the Sea. "Like whirlwinds in the Negev sweep on, it comes from the desert, from a distant land.1Here is a message about the Desert by the Sea: Like strong winds blowing in the south, one invades from the desert, from a land that is feared.
2A dire vision has been announced to me: the traitor betrays, and the plunderer takes loot. Get up, Elam! Attack, Media! I am putting a stop to all the groaning she has caused.2I have received a distressing message: "The deceiver deceives, the destroyer destroys. Attack, you Elamites! Lay siege, you Medes! I will put an end to all the groaning!"
3Therefore my body is racked with pain; pangs have seized me, like the pangs of a woman in labor; I am so upset that I cannot hear; I am so frightened that I cannot see while I'm reeling around. 3For this reason my stomach churns; cramps overwhelm me like the contractions of a woman in labor. I am disturbed by what I hear, horrified by what I see.
4And as for my heart, horror has terrified me; the twilight I longed for has started to make me tremble.4My heart palpitates, I shake in fear; the twilight I desired has brought me terror.
5They set the tables; they spread the carpets; they eat, they drink! Get up, you officers! Oil the shields!"5Arrange the table, lay out the carpet, eat and drink! Get up, you officers, smear oil on the shields!
6For this is what the LORD told me: "Go post a lookout. Have him report what he sees.6For this is what the sovereign master has told me: "Go, post a guard! He must report what he sees.
7When he sees chariots, each man with a pair of horses, riders on donkeys or riders on camels, let him pay attention, full attention."7When he sees chariots, teams of horses, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, very alert."
8Then the lookout shouted: "Upon a watchtower I stand, O Lord, continually by day, and I am stationed at my post throughout the night.8Then the guard cries out: "On the watchtower, O sovereign master, I stand all day long; at my post I am stationed every night.
9Look! Here come riders, each man with a pair of horses!" They're shouting out the answer: "Babylon has fallen, has fallen, and they have shattered all the images of her gods on the ground!9Look what's coming! A charioteer, a team of horses." When questioned, he replies, "Babylon has fallen, fallen! All the idols of her gods lie shattered on the ground!"
10O my downtrodden people, my wall! I'll tell you what I have heard from the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, the God of Israel."10O my downtrodden people, crushed like stalks on the threshing floor, what I have heard from the LORD who commands armies, the God of Israel, I have reported to you.
11A message concerning Dumah. "Someone is calling to me from Seir: 'Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?' 11Here is a message about Dumah: Someone calls to me from Seir, "Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?"
12The watchman replies: 'Morning is coming, but also the night. If you want to ask, then ask; come back again.'"12The watchman replies, "Morning is coming, but then night. If you want to ask, ask; come back again."
13A message concerning Arabia. "You will camp in the thickets in Arabia, you caravans of the Dedanites.13Here is a message about Arabia: In the thicket of Arabia you spend the night, you Dedanite caravans.
14Bring water for the thirsty, you who live in the land of Tema. Meet the fugitive with bread, 14Bring out some water for the thirsty. You who live in the land of Tema, bring some food for the fugitives.
15For he has fled from swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the heat of battle."15For they flee from the swords--from the drawn sword and from the battle-ready bow and from the severity of the battle.
16For this is what the LORD is saying to me: "Within three years, according to the years of a contract worker, the pomp of Kedar will come to an end. 16For this is what the sovereign master has told me: "Within exactly one year all the splendor of Kedar will come to an end.
17And there will be few archers, those who are descendants of Kedar, who survive, because the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken."17Just a handful of archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be left." Indeed, the LORD God of Israel has spoken.
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Isaiah 20
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