[1] How terrible it will be for the land beyond the rivers of Cush. It is filled with the sound of wings. [2] That land sends messengers across the sea; they go on the water in boats made of reeds. Go, quick messengers, to a people who are tall and smooth-skinned, who are feared everywhere. They are a powerful nation that defeats other nations. Their land is divided by rivers. [3] All you people of the world, look! Everyone who lives in the world, look! You will see a banner raised on a mountain. You will hear a trumpet sound. [4] The LORD said to me, "I will quietly watch from where I live, like heat in the sunshine, like the dew in the heat of harvest time." [5] The time will come, after the flowers have bloomed and before the harvest, when new grapes will be budding and growing. The enemy will cut the plants with knives; he will cut down the vines and take them away. [6] They will be left for the birds of the mountains and for the wild animals. Birds will feed on them all summer, and wild animals will eat them that winter." [7] At that time a gift will be brought to the LORD All-Powerful from the people who are tall and smooth-skinned, who are feared everywhere. They are a powerful nation that defeats other nations. Their land is divided by rivers. These gifts will be brought to the place of the LORD All-Powerful, to Mount Zion.
