| New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1A prophecy against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the southland, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror. | 1This 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. |
| 2A 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. | 2A dire vision is declared to me: “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.” |
| 3At 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. | 3Therefore 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. |
| 4My heart falters, fear makes me tremble; the twilight I longed for has become a horror to me. | 4My heart falters; fear makes me tremble. The twilight of my desire has turned to horror. |
| 5They set the tables, they spread the rugs, they eat, they drink! Get up, you officers, oil the shields! | 5They prepare a table, they lay out a carpet, they eat, they drink! Rise up, O princes, oil the shields! |
| 6This is what the Lord says to me: "Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees. | 6For this is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees. |
| 7When he sees chariots with teams of horses, riders on donkeys or riders on camels, let him be alert, fully alert." | 7When he sees chariots with teams of horsemen, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, fully alert.” |
| 8And the lookout shouted, "Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; every night I stay at my post. | 8Then the lookout shouted: “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; night after night I stay at my post. |
| 9Look, 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!'" | 9Look, 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!” |
| 10My people who are crushed on the threshing floor, I tell you what I have heard from the LORD Almighty, from the God of Israel. | 10O my people, crushed on the threshing floor, I tell you what I have heard from the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel. |
| 11A prophecy against Dumah: Someone calls to me from Seir, "Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?" | 11This 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?” |
| 12The watchman replies, "Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would ask, then ask; and come back yet again." | 12The watchman replies, “Morning has come, but also the night. If you would inquire, then inquire. Come back yet again.” |
| 13A prophecy against Arabia: You caravans of Dedanites, who camp in the thickets of Arabia, | 13This is the burden against Arabia: In the thickets of Arabia you must lodge, O caravans of Dedanites. |
| 14bring water for the thirsty; you who live in Tema, bring food for the fugitives. | 14Bring water for the thirsty, O dwellers of Tema; meet the refugees with food. |
| 15They flee from the sword, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow and from the heat of battle. | 15For they flee from the sword—the sword that is drawn—from the bow that is bent, and from the stress of battle. |
| 16This 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. | 16For 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. |
| 17The survivors of the archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few." The LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken. | 17The remaining archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” For the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken. |
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