GOD'S WORD Translation GW
New International Version NIV
1 This is the divine revelation about the desert by the sea. Like a storm sweeping through the Negev, an invader will come from the desert, from a terrifying land.
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A prophecy against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the southland, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.
2 I was shown a harsh vision. The traitor betrays. The destroyer destroys. Go to war, Elam! Surround them, Media! I will put an end to all the groaning.
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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 That is why my body is full of trembling. Pain grips me like the pain of childbirth. I'm disturbed by what I hear. I'm terrified by what I see.
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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 I'm confused. I'm shaking with terror. The twilight hours I longed for make me tremble.
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My heart falters, fear makes me tremble; the twilight I longed for has become a horror to me.
5 Set the table. Spread the rugs [by the table]. Eat. Drink. Get up, you leaders! Prepare your shields for battle!
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They set the tables, they spread the rugs, they eat, they drink! Get up, you officers, oil the shields!
6 This is what the Lord says to me: Post a watchman. Have him report whatever he sees.
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This is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.
7 He will see chariots, pairs of horsemen, riders on donkeys, and riders on camels. Let him watch carefully, very carefully.
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When he sees chariots with teams of horses, riders on donkeys or riders on camels, let him be alert, fully alert.”
8 The watchman called, "Sir, I stand on the watchtower every day. Every night, I stand guard at my post.
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And the lookout shouted, “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; every night I stay at my post.
9 Look! Here come chariots and horsemen in pairs." Then he said, "Babylon has fallen! It has fallen! All the idols they worship lie shattered on the ground."
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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 You, my people, have been threshed and winnowed. I make known to you what I heard from the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel.
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My people who are crushed on the threshing floor, I tell you what I have heard from the LORD Almighty, from the God of Israel.
11 This is the divine revelation about Dumah. Someone is calling to me from Seir, "Watchman, how much of the night is left? Watchman, how much of the night is left?"
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A prophecy against Dumah : Someone calls to me from Seir, “Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?”
12 The watchman answers, "Morning is coming, and night will come again. If you need to ask, come back and ask."
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The watchman replies, “Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would ask, then ask; and come back yet again.”
13 This is the divine revelation about Arabia. You caravan of travelers from the people of Dedan will spend the night in the forest of Arabia.
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A prophecy against Arabia: You caravans of Dedanites, who camp in the thickets of Arabia,
14 Bring water for the thirsty, you inhabitants of the land of Tema. Bring food to the fugitives.
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bring water for the thirsty; you who live in Tema, bring food for the fugitives.
15 They flee from swords, from swords ready to kill, from bows ready to shoot, and from the thick of battle.
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They flee from the sword, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow and from the heat of battle.
16 This is what the Lord says to me: All of Kedar's honor will be gone in another year. I will count it like workers count the years left on their contracts.
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This is what the Lord says to me: “Within one year, as a servant bound by contract would count it, all the splendor of Kedar will come to an end.
17 The remaining number of archers, Kedar's mighty archers, will be few. The LORD God of Israel has spoken.
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The survivors of the archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” The LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.
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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.