1 Like a whirlwind sweeping across the desert, disaster will come from a terrifying land.

2 I have seen a vision of cruel events, a vision of betrayal and destruction. Army of Elam, attack! Army of Media, lay siege to the cities! God will put an end to the suffering that Babylon has caused.

3 What I saw and heard in the vision has filled me with terror and pain. My hips are full of pain and convulsions like that of a woman in labor.

4 My innermost being reels, horror overwhelms me. The twilight I longed for has been turned for me into trembling.

5 They set the table, they spread out the cloth, they eat, they drink; Rise up, captains, oil the shields,

6 For this is what Jehovah says to me: »Go, station the lookout, and let him report what he sees.

7 »When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs, a train of donkeys, a train of camels, Let him pay close attention, very close attention.«

8 The watchman called out from the tower: »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! She 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 Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel.

11 This is the divine REVELATION ABOUT EDOM. He calls to me from Seir: »Watchman, what of the night? How much of the night is left? Watchman, what of the night?«

12 The watchman replies: »Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would ask, then ask; and come back yet again.«

13 You caravans of Dedanites, who camp in the thickets of Arabia,

14 bring water for the thirsty. You who live in Tema, bring food for the fugitives.

15 They flee from the sword, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow and from the heat of battle.

16 This is what Jehovah says to me: »Within one year, as a servant bound by contract would count it, all the pomp of Kedar will come to an end.

17 »The survivors of the bowmen, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.« Jehovah, the God of Israel, has spoken!