Isaiah 21
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New American Standard Bible 1995NET Bible
1The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. As windstorms in the Negev sweep on, It comes from the wilderness, from a terrifying land.1Here is a message about the Desert by the Sea: Like strong winds blowing in the south, one invades from the desert, from a land that is feared.
2A harsh vision has been shown to me; The treacherous one still deals treacherously, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, Elam, lay siege, Media; I have made an end of all the groaning she has caused.2I have received a distressing message: "The deceiver deceives, the destroyer destroys. Attack, you Elamites! Lay siege, you Medes! I will put an end to all the groaning!"
3For this reason my loins are full of anguish; Pains have seized me like the pains of a woman in labor. I am so bewildered I cannot hear, so terrified I cannot see.3For this reason my stomach churns; cramps overwhelm me like the contractions of a woman in labor. I am disturbed by what I hear, horrified by what I see.
4My mind reels, horror overwhelms me; The twilight I longed for has been turned for me into trembling.4My heart palpitates, I shake in fear; the twilight I desired has brought me terror.
5They set the table, they spread out the cloth, they eat, they drink; "Rise up, captains, oil the shields,"5Arrange the table, lay out the carpet, eat and drink! Get up, you officers, smear oil on the shields!
6For thus the Lord says to me, "Go, station the lookout, let him report what he sees.6For this is what the sovereign master has told me: "Go, post a guard! He must report what he sees.
7"When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs, A train of donkeys, a train of camels, Let him pay close attention, very close attention."7When he sees chariots, teams of horses, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, very alert."
8Then the lookout called, "O Lord, I stand continually by day on the watchtower, And I am stationed every night at my guard post.8Then the guard cries out: "On the watchtower, O sovereign master, I stand all day long; at my post I am stationed every night.
9"Now behold, here comes a troop of riders, horsemen in pairs." And one said, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon; And all the images of her gods are shattered on the ground."9Look what's coming! A charioteer, a team of horses." When questioned, he replies, "Babylon has fallen, fallen! All the idols of her gods lie shattered on the ground!"
10O my threshed people, and my afflicted of the threshing floor! What I have heard from the LORD of hosts, The God of Israel, I make known to you.10O my downtrodden people, crushed like stalks on the threshing floor, what I have heard from the LORD who commands armies, the God of Israel, I have reported to you.
11The oracle concerning Edom. One keeps calling to me from Seir, "Watchman, how far gone is the night? Watchman, how far gone is the night?"11Here is a message about Dumah: Someone calls to me from Seir, "Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?"
12The watchman says, "Morning comes but also night. If you would inquire, inquire; Come back again."12The watchman replies, "Morning is coming, but then night. If you want to ask, ask; come back again."
13The oracle about Arabia. In the thickets of Arabia you must spend the night, O caravans of Dedanites.13Here is a message about Arabia: In the thicket of Arabia you spend the night, you Dedanite caravans.
14Bring water for the thirsty, O inhabitants of the land of Tema, Meet the fugitive with bread.14Bring out some water for the thirsty. You who live in the land of Tema, bring some food for the fugitives.
15For they have fled from the swords, From the drawn sword, and from the bent bow And from the press of battle.15For they flee from the swords--from the drawn sword and from the battle-ready bow and from the severity of the battle.
16For thus the Lord said to me, "In a year, as a hired man would count it, all the splendor of Kedar will terminate;16For this is what the sovereign master has told me: "Within exactly one year all the splendor of Kedar will come to an end.
17and the remainder of the number of bowmen, the mighty men of the sons of Kedar, will be few; for the LORD God of Israel has spoken."17Just a handful of archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be left." Indeed, the LORD God of Israel has spoken.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.orgNET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. //netbible.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Isaiah 20
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