21:1 Oracle on the wastelands by the sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping in waves through the Negeb, there comes from the desert, from the fearful land,
21:2 A cruel sight, revealed to me: the traitor betrays, the despoiler spoils. "Go up, Elam; besiege, O Media; I will put an end to all groaning!"
21:3 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.
21:4 My mind reels, shuddering assails me; My yearning for twilight has turned into dread.
21:5 They set the table, spread out the rugs; they eat, they drink. Rise up, O princes, oil the shield!
21:6 For thus says my Lord to me: Go, station a watchman, let him tell what he sees.
21:7 If he sees a chariot, a pair of horses, Someone riding an ass, someone riding a camel, Then let him pay heed, very close heed.
21:8 Then the watchman cried, "On the watchtower, O my Lord, I stand constantly by day; And I stay at my post through all the watches of the night.
21:9 Here he comes now: a single chariot, a pair of horses; He calls out and says, 'Fallen, fallen is Babylon, And all the images of her gods are smashed to the ground.'"
21:10 O my people who have been threshed, beaten on my threshing floor! What I have heard from the LORD of hosts, The God of Israel, I have announced to you.
21:11 Oracle on Edom: They call to me from Seir, "Watchman, how much longer the night? Watchman, how much longer the night?"
21:12 The watchman replies, "Morning has come, and again night. If you will ask, ask; come back again."
21:13 Oracle on Arabia: In the thicket in the nomad country spend the night, O caravans of Dedanites.
21:14 Meet the thirsty, bring them water; you who dwell in the land of Tema, greet the fugitives with bread.
21:15 They flee from the sword, from the whetted sword; From the taut bow, from the fury of battle.
21:16 For thus says the Lord to me: In another year, like those of a hireling, all the glory of Kedar shall come to an end.
21:17 Few of Kedar’s stalwart archers shall remain, for the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.