| 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. | 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. |
| 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!" | 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!" |
| 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. | 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. |
| 4My heart palpitates, I shake in fear; the twilight I desired has brought me terror. | 4My heart palpitates, I shake in fear; the twilight I desired has brought me terror. |
| 5Arrange the table, lay out the carpet, eat and drink! Get up, you officers, smear oil on 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 sovereign master has told me: "Go, post a guard! He must 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, teams of horses, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, very alert." | 7When he sees chariots, teams of horses, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, very alert." |
| 8Then the guard cries out: "On the watchtower, O sovereign master, I stand all day long; at my post I am stationed every 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 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!" | 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, 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. | 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. |
| 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?" | 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 then night. If you want to ask, ask; come back again." | 12The watchman replies, "Morning is coming, but then night. If you want to ask, ask; come back again." |
| 13Here is a message about Arabia: In the thicket of Arabia you spend the night, you Dedanite caravans. | 13Here is a message about Arabia: In the thicket of Arabia you spend the night, you Dedanite caravans. |
| 14Bring out some water for the thirsty. You who live in the land of Tema, bring some food for the fugitives. | 14Bring out some water for the thirsty. You who live in the land of Tema, bring some food for the fugitives. |
| 15For they flee from the swords--from the drawn sword and from the battle-ready bow and from the severity of the 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 sovereign master has told me: "Within exactly one year all the splendor 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. |
| 17Just a handful of archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be left." Indeed, the LORD 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. |
|
