1This is the divine revelation about the desert by the sea. Like a storm sweeping through the Negev, an invader will come from the desert, from a terrifying land.

2I was shown a harsh vision. The traitor betrays. The destroyer destroys. Go to war, Elam! Surround them, Media! I will put an end to all the groaning.

3That is why my body is full of trembling. Pain grips me like the pain of childbirth. I'm disturbed by what I hear. I'm terrified by what I see.

4I'm confused. I'm shaking with terror. The twilight hours I longed for make me tremble.

5Set the table. Spread the rugs [by the table]. Eat. Drink. Get up, you leaders! Prepare your shields for battle!

6This is what the Lord says to me: Post a watchman. Have him report whatever he sees.

7He will see chariots, pairs of horsemen, riders on donkeys, and riders on camels. Let him watch carefully, very carefully.

8The watchman called, "Sir, I stand on the watchtower every day. Every night, I stand guard at my post.

9Look! Here come chariots and horsemen in pairs." Then he said, "Babylon has fallen! It has fallen! All the idols they worship lie shattered on the ground."

10You, my people, have been threshed and winnowed. I make known to you what I heard from the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel.

11This is the divine revelation about Dumah. Someone is calling to me from Seir, "Watchman, how much of the night is left? Watchman, how much of the night is left?"

12The watchman answers, "Morning is coming, and night will come again. If you need to ask, come back and ask."

13This is the divine revelation about Arabia. You caravan of travelers from the people of Dedan will spend the night in the forest of Arabia.

14Bring water for the thirsty, you inhabitants of the land of Tema. Bring food to the fugitives.

15They flee from swords, from swords ready to kill, from bows ready to shoot, and from the thick of battle.

16This is what the Lord says to me: All of Kedar's honor will be gone in another year. I will count it like workers count the years left on their contracts. 17The remaining number of archers, Kedar's mighty archers, will be few. The LORD God of Israel has spoken.