Isaiah 13:1-9 ▼

1 An oracle against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw:

2 Lift up a banner on a barren mountain. Call out to them. Wave your hand, and they will go through the gates of the nobles.

3 I have commanded My chosen ones; I have also called My warriors, who exult in My triumph, to execute My wrath.

4 Listen, a tumult on the mountains, like that of a mighty people! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations being gathered together! The LORD of Hosts is mobilizing an army for war.

5 They are coming from a far land, from the distant horizon — the LORD and the weapons of His wrath — to destroy the whole country.

6 Wail! For the day of the LORD is near. It will come like destruction from the Almighty.

7 Therefore everyone’s hands will become weak, and every man’s heart will melt.

8 They will be horrified; pain and agony will seize them; they will be in anguish like a woman in labor. They will look at each other, their faces flushed with fear.

9 Look, the day of the LORD is coming — cruel, with rage and burning anger  — to make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners on it.