1 T he burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through, so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.

2 A grievous vision is declared unto me: the treacherous dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, Elam! besiege, Media! All the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

3 T herefore are my loins filled with pain; anguish hath taken hold upon me, as the anguish of a woman in travail: I am bowed down so as not to hear, I am dismayed so as not to see.

4 M y heart panteth, horror affrighteth me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into trembling unto me.

5 P repare the table, appoint the watch; eat, drink: arise, ye princes, anoint the shield.

6 F or thus hath the Lord said unto me: Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.

7 A nd he saw chariots, horsemen by pairs, a chariot with asses, a chariot with camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed.

8 A nd he cried a lion, Lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights.

9 — And behold, there cometh a chariot of men; horsemen by pairs. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.

10 O my threshing, and the corn of my floor! What I have heard of Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you.

11 T he burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?

12 T he watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire; return, come.

13 T he burden against Arabia. In the forest of Arabia shall ye lodge, caravans of Dedanites.

14 B ring ye water to meet the thirsty! The inhabitants of the land of Tema come forth with their bread for him that fleeth.

15 F or they flee from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.

16 F or thus hath the Lord said unto me: Within a year, according to the years of a hired servant, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail;

17 a nd the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men of the sons of Kedar, shall be diminished: for Jehovah, the God of Israel, hath spoken.