Isaiah 21:1-8 ▼

1 THE prophecy concerning the desert of the sea. As a whirlwind from the south, sweeping through from the wilderness; so it comes from a far off land.

2 A grievous vision is declared to me: the oppressor oppresses, and the plunderer plunders. Go up, O Elam, and the mountains of Media; all the sighing thereof I have made to cease.

3 Therefore my loins are filled with pain; pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman in travail; I was dismayed so that I could not hear, I was terrified so that I could not see.

4 My heart failed, pangs made me quake; the beauty of my pleasures has been turned into terror to me.

5 Prepare the tables, watch in the watchtowers, eat, drink; arise, O princes, and anoint the shields.

6 For thus has the LORD said to me: Go, set a watchman, that he may declare what he sees.

7 And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a rider on an ass and a rider on a camel; and he hearkened diligently with much heed;

8 Then the watchman cried into my ears, saying, I the LORD stand continually in the daytime, and I stand upon my watchtower every night.