| Good News Translation (GNT) |
New International Version (NIV) |
|
1 This is a message about Babylonia. Like a whirlwind sweeping across the desert, disaster will come from a terrifying land.
|
1 An oracle concerning the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the southland, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.
|
|
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 which Babylon has caused.
|
2 A dire vision has been shown to me: The traitor betrays, the looter takes loot. Elam, attack! Media, lay siege! I will bring to an end all the groaning she caused.
|
|
3 What I saw and heard in the vision has filled me with terror and pain, pain like that of a woman in labor.
|
3 At this my body is racked with pain, pangs seize me, like those of a woman in labor; I am staggered by what I hear, I am bewildered by what I see.
|
|
4 My head is spinning, and I am trembling with fear. I had been longing for evening to come, but it has brought me nothing but terror.
|
4 My heart falters, fear makes me tremble; the twilight I longed for has become a horror to me.
|
|
5 In the vision a banquet is ready; rugs are spread for the guests to sit on. They are eating and drinking. Suddenly the command rings out: "Officers! Prepare your shields!"
|
5 They set the tables, they spread the rugs, they eat, they drink! Get up, you officers, oil the shields!
|
|
6 Then the Lord said to me, "Go and post a sentry, and tell him to report what he sees.
|
6 This is what the Lord says to me: "Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.
|
|
7 If he sees riders coming on horseback, two by two, and riders on donkeys and camels, he is to observe them carefully."
|
7 When he sees chariots with teams of horses, riders on donkeys or riders on camels, let him be alert, fully alert."
|
|
8 The sentry calls out, "Sir, I have been standing guard at my post day and night."
|
8 And the lookout shouted, "Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; every night I stay at my post.
|
|
9 Suddenly, here they come! Riders on horseback, two by two. The sentry gives the news, "Babylon has fallen! All the idols they worshiped lie shattered on the ground."
|
9 Look, here comes a man in a chariot with a team of horses. And he gives back the answer: 'Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!' "
|
|
10 My people Israel, you have been threshed like wheat, but now I have announced to you the good news that I have heard from the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel.
|
10 O my people, crushed on the threshing floor, I tell you what I have heard from the LORD Almighty, from the God of Israel.
|
|
11 This is a message about Edom. Someone calls to me from Edom, "Sentry, how soon will the night be over? Tell me how soon it will end."
|
11 An oracle concerning Dumah: Someone calls to me from Seir, "Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?"
|
|
12 I answer, "Morning is coming, but night will come again. If you want to ask again, come back and ask."
|
12 The watchman replies, "Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would ask, then ask; and come back yet again."
|
|
13 This is a message about Arabia. People of Dedan, you whose caravans camp in the barren country of Arabia,
|
13 An oracle concerning Arabia: You caravans of Dedanites, who camp in the thickets of Arabia,
|
|
14 give water to the thirsty people who come to you. You people of the land of Tema, give food to the refugees.
|
14 bring water for the thirsty; you who live in Tema, bring food for the fugitives.
|
|
15 People are fleeing to escape from swords that are ready to kill them, from bows that are ready to shoot, from all the dangers of war.
|
15 They flee from the sword, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow and from the heat of battle.
|
|
16 Then the Lord said to me, "In exactly one year the greatness of the tribes of Kedar will be at an end.
|
16 This is what the Lord 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 archers are the bravest warriors of Kedar, but few of them will be left. I, the Lord God of Israel, have spoken."
|
17 The survivors of the bowmen, the warriors of Kedar, will be few." The LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.
|
| Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission. (The Good News Translation - The Holy Bible Online) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
