Isaiah 21

1 A message about the desert by the sea. Like storm winds passing through the Negev, something is coming from the desert, from a land of terror—

This is the burden against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negev, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.

2 a horrifying vision that has been explained to me. The betrayer still betrays; the destroyer still destroys. Elamites and Medes, go ahead, attack and lay siege to Babylon, for I'm putting a stop to all the pain it has caused.

A dire vision is declared to me: “The traitor still betrays, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, O Elam! Lay siege, O Media! I will put an end to all her groaning.”

3 As a result my body is filled with agony. I'm overwhelmed with pain, like the pain of a woman giving birth. I am confused by what I hear; I am distressed by what I see.

Therefore my body is filled with anguish. Pain grips me, like the pains of a woman in labor. I am bewildered to hear, I am dismayed to see.

4 My mind falters; I shake in panic. The night I looked forward to has become terrifying.

My heart falters; fear makes me tremble. The twilight of my desire has turned to horror.

5 They set the table, they spread out the rugs, they eat and drink… “Get up, officers! Prepare your shields for battle!”

They prepare a table, they lay out a carpet, they eat, they drink! Rise up, O princes, oil the shields!

6 This is what the Lord told me: “Go! Have a lookout keep watch, and make sure he reports what he sees.

For this is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.

7 When he sees chariots coming pulled by pairs of horses, riders on donkeys and on camels, he should watch very carefully, paying close attention.”

When he sees chariots with teams of horsemen, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, fully alert.”

8 Then the lookout shouted “Sir, I've stood here on the watchtower day after day; night after night I've remained at my post.

Then the lookout shouted: “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; night after night I stay at my post.

9 Now look! A man in a chariot with a pair of horses is coming.” Then he said, “Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the idols of its gods lie smashed on the ground!”

Look, here come the riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one answered, saying: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground!”

10 My poor downtrodden people, so badly mistreated, I have told you what I have heard from the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel.

O my people, crushed on the threshing floor, I tell you what I have heard from the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel.

11 A message about Edom. A voice is calling to me from Seir, asking, “Watchman, what time of night is it? Watchman, what time of night is it?”

This is the burden against Dumah: One calls to me from Seir, “Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?”

12 The watchman replies, “Morning is coming, but the night is coming again soon. If you want to ask again, then come back and ask.”

The watchman replies, “Morning has come, but also the night. If you would inquire, then inquire. Come back yet again.”

13 A message about Arabia. Caravans from Dedan, spend the night in the bushes.

This is the burden against Arabia: In the thickets of Arabia you must lodge, O caravans of Dedanites.

14 People of Tema, take water to the thirsty, meet the refugees with food.

Bring water for the thirsty, O dwellers of Tema; meet the refugees with food.

15 They're running away from a fierce battle, from swords, drawn swords, from bows and arrows.

For they flee from the sword— the sword that is drawn— from the bow that is bent, and from the stress of battle.

16 This is what the Lord told me: “Within one year, just as a contract worker precisely counts years, all the glory of Kedar will be gone.

For this is what the Lord says to me: “Within one year, as a hired worker would count it, all the glory of Kedar will be gone.

17 There will only be a few left of the archers, the warriors of Kedar.” The Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken.

The remaining archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” For the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.