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
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 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.
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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 What I saw and heard in the vision has filled me with terror and pain, pain like that of a woman in labor.
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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 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.
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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!"
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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.
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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."
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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 sentry calls out, "Sir, I have been standing guard at my post day and 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 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."
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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 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.
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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 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."
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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 I answer, "Morning is coming, but night will come again. If you want to ask again, 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 a message about Arabia. People of Dedan, you whose caravans camp in the barren country of Arabia,
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A prophecy against 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.
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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.
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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.
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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 archers are the bravest warriors of Kedar, but few of them will be left. I, the Lord God of Israel, have 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.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
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.