1 T he burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through, so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.

The special word about the place by the sea where no people live: As wind-storms in the Negev go rushing through, it comes from the desert, from a bad land.

2 A grievous vision is declared unto me: the treacherous dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, Elam! besiege, Media! All the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

A hard special dream has been shown to me. The one who hurts still goes on hurting others, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, Elam. Gather your armies around, Media. I will bring an end to all the crying she has caused.

3 T herefore are my loins filled with pain; anguish hath taken hold upon me, as the anguish of a woman in travail: I am bowed down so as not to hear, I am dismayed so as not to see.

For this reason my body is full of suffering. Pains have taken hold of me like the pains of a woman giving birth. I am so troubled that I cannot hear. I am so afraid that I cannot see.

4 M y heart panteth, horror affrighteth me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into trembling unto me.

My mind turns. Fear has come over me. The evening I have waited so long for has been turned into a time of shaking with fear.

5 P repare the table, appoint the watch; eat, drink: arise, ye princes, anoint the shield.

They set the tables. They spread out the cloth. They eat and drink. Rise up, captains, oil the battle-coverings!

6 F or thus hath the Lord said unto me: Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.

For the Lord says to me, “Go, set a man to keep watch. Let him tell what he sees.

7 A nd he saw chariots, horsemen by pairs, a chariot with asses, a chariot with camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed.

When he sees men riding on horses, two by two, and men on donkeys, and men on camels, let him be very careful to watch.”

8 A nd he cried a lion, Lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights.

Then the watchman called out like a lion, “O Lord, I stand watching from the watch-tower at all times during the day. And I stand there every night.

9 — And behold, there cometh a chariot of men; horsemen by pairs. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.

Now see, here comes an army of men riding on horses, two by two.” One answered and said, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon. All the objects of her gods are broken to pieces on the ground.”

10 O my threshing, and the corn of my floor! What I have heard of Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you.

O my people of Israel, you were beaten and crushed like grain! What I have heard from the Lord of All, the God of Israel, I make known to you. Word about Edom

11 T he burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?

The special word about Edom: One is calling to me from Seir, “Watchman, what is the time of night? Watchman, what is the time of night?”

12 T he watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire; return, come.

The watchman says, “The morning comes, but also the night. If you have questions to ask, ask them, and come back again.” Word about Arabia

13 T he burden against Arabia. In the forest of Arabia shall ye lodge, caravans of Dedanites.

The special word about Arabia: You must stay the night among the trees of Arabia, O traveling people of Dedanim.

14 B ring ye water to meet the thirsty! The inhabitants of the land of Tema come forth with their bread for him that fleeth.

Bring water for the thirsty. O people of the land of Tema, give bread to the one who is running from trouble.

15 F or they flee from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.

They are running from swords, from lifted swords, from bows that are ready to shoot, and from the trouble of battle.

16 F or thus hath the Lord said unto me: Within a year, according to the years of a hired servant, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail;

For the Lord said to me, “In a year, as the servant would count it, all the greatness of Kedar will come to an end.

17 a nd the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men of the sons of Kedar, shall be diminished: for Jehovah, the God of Israel, hath spoken.

And the rest of the men who use the bow, the strong men of the sons of Kedar, will be few. For the Lord God of Israel has spoken.”