Isaiah 21:1-9 ▼

1 Oracle on the wastelands by the sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negeb, it comes from the desert, from the fearful land.

2 A harsh vision has been announced to me: “The traitor betrays, the despoiler spoils. Go up, O Elam; besiege, O Media; put an end to all its groaning!”

3 Therefore my loins are filled with anguish, pangs have seized me like those of a woman in labor; I am too bewildered to hear, too dismayed to look.

4 My mind reels, shuddering assails me; The twilight I yearned for he has turned into dread.

5 They set the table, spread out the rugs; they eat, they drink. Rise up, O princes, oil the shield!

6 For thus my Lord said to me: Go, station a watchman, let him tell what he sees.

7 If he sees a chariot, a pair of horses, Someone riding a donkey, someone riding a camel, Then let him pay heed, very close heed.

8 Then the watchman cried, “On the watchtower, my Lord, I stand constantly by day; And I stay at my post through all the watches of the night.

9 Here he comes— a single chariot, a pair of horses— He calls out and says, ‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods are smashed to the ground!’”