Isaiah 21:1-9 ▼

1 The burden of the wilderness the Sea: Like whirlwinds in the Negev passing through, it comes from the wilderness, from a fearsome land.

2 A harsh vision is declared to me: “The treacherous one deals treacherously, and the destroyer destroys. Go up, O Elam! Besiege, O Media! All her sighing I have made cease.”

3 Upon thus my loins are filled with pain; pangs have taken hold of me like the pangs of one giving birth. I am writhing from hearing; I am disturbed from seeing.

4 My heart staggers, a shuddering terrifies me; the twilight of my desire has been set for me into fear,

5 to arrange the table and lay out the spread, to eat, to drink. Rise up, O princes, and anoint the shield!

6 For thus the Lord has said to me: “Go, station the one keeping watch and let him declare what he sees.

7 And he sees a chariot with a pair of horses, the rider of a donkey, and the rider of a camel, and he will be attentive, with great attention.”

8 And the lookout called out: “Upon the watchtower, my Lord, I stand continually by day, and at my post I take my stand every night.

9 And behold this, the chariot of a man is coming, with a pair of horses.” And he answered and said, “Fallen, Babylon has fallen! And all the images of her gods He has broken to the ground!”