[1] This is the divine revelation about the desert by the sea. Like a storm sweeping through the Negev, an invader will come from the desert, from a terrifying land. [2] I was shown a harsh vision. The traitor betrays. The destroyer destroys. Go to war, Elam! Surround them, Media! I will put an end to all the groaning. [3] That is why my body is full of trembling. Pain grips me like the pain of childbirth. I'm disturbed by what I hear. I'm terrified by what I see. [4] I'm confused. I'm shaking with terror. The twilight hours I longed for make me tremble. [5] Set the table. Spread the rugs by the table. Eat. Drink. Get up, you leaders! Prepare your shields for battle! [6] This is what the Lord says to me: Post a watchman. Have him report whatever he sees. [7] He will see chariots, pairs of horsemen, riders on donkeys, and riders on camels. Let him watch carefully, very carefully. [8] The watchman called, "Sir, I stand on the watchtower every day. Every night, I stand guard at my post. [9] Look! Here come chariots and horsemen in pairs." Then he said, "Babylon has fallen! It has fallen! All the idols they worship lie shattered on the ground." [10] You, my people, have been threshed and winnowed. I make known to you what I heard from the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel. [11] This is the divine revelation about Dumah. Someone is calling to me from Seir, "Watchman, how much of the night is left? Watchman, how much of the night is left?" [12] The watchman answers, "Morning is coming, and night will come again. If you need to ask, come back and ask." [13] This is the divine revelation about Arabia. You caravan of travelers from the people of Dedan will spend the night in the forest of Arabia. [14] Bring water for the thirsty, you inhabitants of the land of Tema. Bring food to the fugitives. [15] They flee from swords, from swords ready to kill, from bows ready to shoot, and from the thick of battle. [16] This is what the Lord says to me: All of Kedar's honor will be gone in another year. I will count it like workers count the years left on their contracts. [17] The remaining number of archers, Kedar's mighty archers, will be few. The LORD God of Israel has spoken.
