[1] This is an oracle about the wilderness by the Sea: Like strong winds blowing in the south, one invades from the wilderness, from a land that is feared. [2] I 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." [3] For 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. [4] My heart palpitates, I shake in fear; the twilight I desired has brought me terror. [5] Arrange the table, lay out the carpet, eat and drink! Get up, you officers, smear oil on the shields! [6] For this is what the Lord has told me: "Go, post a guard! He must report what he sees. [7] When he sees chariots, teams of horses, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, very alert." [8] Then the guard cries out: "On the watchtower, O Lord, I stand all day long; at my post I am stationed every night. [9] Look 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!" [10] O my downtrodden people, crushed like stalks on the threshing floor, what I have heard from the LORD of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, I have reported to you. [11] This is an oracle about Dumah: Someone 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 then night. If you want to ask, ask; come back again." [13] This is an oracle about Arabia: In the thicket of Arabia you spend the night, you Dedanite caravans. [14] Bring out some water for the thirsty. You who live in the land of Tema, bring some food for the fugitives. [15] For they flee from the swords-from the drawn sword, and from the battle-ready bow, and from the severity of the battle. [16] For this is what the Lord has told me: "Within exactly one year all the splendor of Kedar will come to an end. [17] Just a handful of archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be left." Indeed, the LORD God of Israel has spoken.
