Isaiah 21:1-8 ▼

1 A prophecy against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the southland, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.

2 A 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.

3 At 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.

4 My heart falters, fear makes me tremble; the twilight I longed for has become a horror to me.

5 They set the tables, they spread the rugs, they eat, they drink! Get up, you officers, oil the shields!

6 This is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.

7 When he sees chariots with teams of horses, riders on donkeys or riders on camels, let him be alert, fully alert.”

8 And the lookout shouted, “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; every night I stay at my post.