New Revised Standard NRS
New International Version NIV
1 The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the Negeb sweep on, it comes from the desert, from a terrible 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 A stern vision is told to me; the betrayer betrays, and the destroyer destroys. Go up, O Elam, lay siege, O Media; all the sighing she has caused I bring to an end.
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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 Therefore my loins are filled with anguish; pangs have seized me, like the pangs of a woman in labor; I am bowed down so that I cannot hear, I am dismayed so that I cannot 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 My mind reels, horror has appalled me; the twilight I longed for has been turned for me into trembling.
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My heart falters, fear makes me tremble; the twilight I longed for has become a horror to me.
5 They prepare the table, they spread the rugs, they eat, they drink. Rise up, commanders, oil the shield!
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They set the tables, they spread the rugs, they eat, they drink! Get up, you officers, oil the shields!
6 For thus the Lord said to me: "Go, post a lookout, let him announce what 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 When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, let him listen diligently, very diligently."
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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 Then the watcher called out: "Upon a watchtower I stand, O Lord, continually by day, and at my post I am stationed throughout the night.
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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, there they come, riders, horsemen in pairs!" Then he responded, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the images of her gods 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 O my threshed and winnowed one, what I have heard from the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, I announce to you.
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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 The oracle concerning Dumah. One is calling to me from Seir, "Sentinel, what of the night? Sentinel, what of the night?"
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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 sentinel says: "Morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; come back again."
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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 The oracle concerning the desert plain. In the scrub of the desert plain you will lodge, O caravans of Dedanites.
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A prophecy against Arabia: You caravans of Dedanites, who camp in the thickets of Arabia,
14 Bring water to the thirsty, meet the fugitive with bread, O inhabitants of the land of Tema.
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bring water for the thirsty; you who live in Tema, bring food for the fugitives.
15 For they have fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the stress 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 For thus the Lord said to me: Within a year, according to the years of a hired worker, all the glory of Kedar will come to an end;
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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 and the remaining bows of Kedar's warriors will be few; for the Lord, the 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.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.