Isaiah

21 The oracle on the desert of the sea:—As storm-winds in the South which with a rush from the desert do come from a terrible land

2 [So] hath a grievous vision been told me:—The deceiver is deceiving And the spoiler is spoiling, Go up, O Elam, Besiege, O Media, All the sighing she hath caused have I made to cease.

3 For this cause are my loins filled with anguish, Pangs have seized me, as the pangs of her that is giving birth,—I writhe so that I cannot hear, I tremble so that I cannot see:

4 My heart fluttereth, A horror terrifieth me,—My twilight of pleasure hath he turned for me into a time of trembling.

5 [Ye thought] to prepare the table—spread the mat—eat—drink! . . . Arise, ye chieftains, anoint the shield!

6 For thus hath My Lord said unto me,—Go, set the watchman, What he seeth let him tell!

7 When he seeth A train of horsemen in double rank, A train of asses, A train of camels Then shall he hearken attentively with diligent heed.

8 Then cried he, A lion! On the watch O My Lord had I been standing continually by day, And at my post had I been stationed whole nights;—

9 When lo! here was a train of men coming With horsemen in double rank,—And one began and said, Fallen! fallen! is Babylon, And all the images of her gods are smashed to the ground!

10 O thou My threshing! And the grain of my corn-floor! That which I have heard from Yahweh of hosts the God of Israel Have I declared unto you.

11 The oracle on Dumah: Unto me is one crying—out of Seir, Watchman! how far gone is the night? Watchman! how far gone is the night?

12 Said the watchman, There cometh a morning But also a night,—If ye will enquire enquire ye—Come again!

13 The oracle on Arabia,—Among the shrubs in Arabia must ye lodge, Ye caravans of Dedanites.

14 To meet the thirsty bring ye water,—Ye dwellers in the land of Tema; With bread for him get in advance of him that is in flight!

15 For before swords have they fled: Before a sword that is drawn, Before a bow that is bent, And before the stress of war.

16 For thus hath My Lord said unto me,—Within a year according to the years of a hireling shall fail all the glory of Kedar;

17 And The remnant of the record of bowmen, The heroes of the sons of Kedar Shall become few; For Yahweh God of Israel hath spoken.