New International Version NIV
New Century Version NCV
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.
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This is a message about the Desert by the Sea: Disaster is coming from the desert like wind blowing in the south. It is coming from a terrible country.
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.
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I have seen a terrible vision. I see traitors turning against you and people taking your wealth. Elam, attack the people! Media, surround the city and attack it! I will bring an end to the pain the city causes.
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.
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I saw those terrible things, and now I am in pain; my pains are like the pains of giving birth. What I hear makes me very afraid; what I see causes me to shake with fear.
4 My heart falters, fear makes me tremble; the twilight I longed for has become a horror to me.
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I am worried, and I am shaking with fear. My pleasant evening has become a night of fear.
5 They set the tables, they spread the rugs, they eat, they drink! Get up, you officers, oil the shields!
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They set the table; they spread the rugs; they eat and drink. Leaders, stand up. Prepare the shields for battle!
6 This is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.
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The Lord said to me, "Go, place a lookout for the city and have him report what he sees.
7 When he sees chariots with teams of horses, riders on donkeys or riders on camels, let him be alert, fully alert.”
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If he sees chariots and teams of horses, donkeys, or camels, he should pay very close attention."
8 And the lookout shouted, “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; every night I stay at my post.
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Then the lookout called out, "My master, each day I stand in the watchtower watching; every night I have been on guard.
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!’ ”
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Look, I see a man coming in a chariot with a team of horses." The man gives back the answer, "Babylon has fallen. It has fallen! All the statues of her gods lie broken on the ground."
10 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.
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My people are crushed like grain on the threshing floor. My people, I tell you what I have heard from the Lord All-Powerful, from the God of Israel.
11 A prophecy against Dumah : Someone calls to me from Seir, “Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?”
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This is a message about Dumah: Someone calls to me from Edom, "Watchman, how much of the night is left? Watchman, how much longer will it be night?"
12 The watchman replies, “Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would ask, then ask; and come back yet again.”
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The watchman answers, "Morning is coming, but then night will come again. If you have something to ask, then come back and ask."
13 A prophecy against Arabia: You caravans of Dedanites, who camp in the thickets of Arabia,
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This is a message about Arabia: spent the night near some trees in Arabia.
14 bring water for the thirsty; you who live in Tema, bring food for the fugitives.
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They gave water to thirsty travelers; the people of Tema gave food to those who were escaping.
15 They flee from the sword, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow and from the heat of battle.
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They were running from swords, from swords ready to kill, from bows ready to shoot, from a hard battle.
16 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.
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This is what the Lord said to me: "In one year all the glory of the country of Kedar will be gone. (This is a year as a hired helper counts time.)
17 The survivors of the archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” The LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.
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At that time only a few of the archers, the soldiers of Kedar, will be left alive." The Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken.
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.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.