21:1 An oracle concerning the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the southland, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.
21:2 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.
21:3 At this my body is racked with pain, pangs seize me, like those of a woman in labour I am staggered by what I hear, I am bewildered by what I see.
21:4 My heart falters, fear makes me tremble the twilight I longed for has become a horror to me.
21:5 They set the tables, they spread the rugs, they eat, they drink! Get up, you officers, oil the shields!
21:6 This is what the Lord says to me: Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.
21:7 When he sees chariots with teams of horses, riders on donkeys or riders on camels, let him be alert, fully alert.
21:8 And the lookout [Dead Sea Scrolls and Syriac Masoretic Text A lion] shouted, Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower every night I stay at my post.
21:9 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!’
21:10 my people, crushed on the threshing-floor, I tell you what I have heard from the LORD Almighty, from the God of Israel.
21:11 An oracle concerning Dumah: [Dumah means silence or stillness, a word play on Edom.] Someone calls to me from Seir, Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?
21:12 The watchman replies, Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would ask, then ask and come back yet again.
21:13 An oracle concerning Arabia: You caravans of Dedanites, who camp in the thickets of Arabia,
21:14 bring water for the thirsty you who live in Tema, bring food for the fugitives.
21:15 They flee from the sword, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow and from the heat of battle.
21:16 This is what the Lord says to me: Within one year, as a servant bound by contract would count it, all the pomp of Kedar will come to an end.
21:17 The survivors of the bowmen, the warriors of Kedar, will be few. The LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.
