(This is) the burden against the Desert by the Sea : Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negev , (an invader) comes from the desert , from a land of terror.
A dire vision is declared “ The traitor still betrays , and the destroyer still destroys. Go up , O Elam ! Lay siege , O Media ! I will put an end to all her groaning. ”
Therefore ... my body is filled with anguish. Pain grips me , like the pains of a woman in labor. I am bewildered to hear , I am dismayed to see.
My heart falters ; fear makes me tremble. - The twilight of my desire has turned to horror.
They prepare a table , they lay out a carpet , they eat , they drink ! Rise up , O princes , oil the shields !
For this (is what) the Lord says to me : “ Go , post a lookout (and) have him report what he sees.
When he sees chariots with teams of horsemen , riders on donkeys , riders on camels , he must be alert ... , fully alert. ”
Then the lookout shouted : “ Day after day , my lord , I stand on the watchtower ; night after night I stay at my post.
Look , here come the riders ... , horsemen in pairs. ” And one answered , saying : “ Fallen , fallen is Babylon ! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground ! ”
O my people , crushed on the threshing floor , I tell what I have heard from the LORD of Hosts , the God of Israel.
(This is) the burden against Dumah : One calls to me from Seir , “ Watchman , what is left of the night ? Watchman , what is left of the night ? ”
The watchman replies , “ Morning has come , but also the night. If you would inquire , then inquire. Come back yet again. ”
(This is) the burden against Arabia : In the thickets of Arabia you must lodge , O caravans of Dedanites.
- Bring water for the thirsty , O dwellers vvv of Tema ; meet the refugees with food.
For they flee from the sword — ... the sword that is drawn — from the bow that is bent , and from the stress of battle.
For this (is what) the Lord says to me : ... “ Within one year , as a hired worker would count (it) , all the glory of Kedar will be gone.
The remaining ... archers , the warriors - of Kedar , will be few. ” For the LORD , the God of Israel , has spoken.